AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2023 - 35

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A life led out loud
Pancho
AMONG THE CAST of colorful characters
who raced in the 1929 Women's
Air Derby, none stood out quite like
Florence " Pancho " Lowe Barnes, even
though she never even finished the
race-her Beech Travel Air clipped a
car parked on the edge of the runway
when landing at Pecos, Texas. That we
remember Barnes more so than many of
the other racers is because of her persona
and her flying achievements. The
wife of a minister, she wore breeches
and smoked cigars, and she liked to fly
because it released her from the tyranny
of petty things-mainly her social duties
as a minister's wife.
There's more to Barnes than her illfated
air race. She set long-distance speed
records and was known to be an excellent
pilot. She founded the first movie
stunt pilots' union. She was the owner
of the infamous Happy Bottom Riding
Club in Lancaster, California, a hangout
where U.S. Air Force test pilots including
Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover came
to debrief. When she died in 1975, Gen.
James Doolittle delivered a eulogy for her
at a memorial service, in which he said
that she put great store by courage, honor,
and integrity, and said exactly what she
thought and believed. -Jill W. Tallman
littlebuttesbooks.com
Ode to a legend
Stars and Commanders: The
Life and Vision of Ted Smith
AU T HOR DAV E DUN T Z became interested
in Ted Smith after owning an
Aerostar. The deeper into the prolific
designer's story he got, the more fascinating
it became. Duntz's book is his
labor of love from that journey.
Perfect for fans of the Aerostar, Twin
Commander, or even how aircraft are
designed and brought to market, Stars
and Commanders is a complete account
of these airplanes, and the legendary
designer behind them. Over more than
600 pages you'll read Smith's previously
unpublished memoir, see more than 700
historic photos, and learn about the history
and line-up of both product lines.
The Aero Commander was one of
the first certificated piston twin engine
airplanes. It reached cult status following
Bob Hoover's energy management
demonstrations at airshows through the
second half of the twentieth century.
The Aerostar, Smith's follow-on design,
is known for its incredible performance.
Both are a testament to Smith and his
cutting-edge design techniques.
You can order the signed, hardcover
book directly from the author's website.
-Ian J. Twombly
starsandcommanders.com
Cessna T182 with 3-blade Propeller MTV-9
FLY GREEN - FLY MT
MT-Propeller USA, Inc.
Phone: (386)736-7762, Fax: (386)736-7696
info@mt-propellerusa.com
MT-Propeller Headquarters
Phone: +49-9429-94090
Fax:
+49-9429-8432
sales@mt-propeller.com
www.mt-propeller.com
It's easy for your old
bird to become a hero.
Wings of Hope's Airplane
Donation Program
Give your plane a higher
purpose by donating it
to Wings of Hope. Your
plane, even if it is no longer
airworthy, can play an
essential role in our mission
of changing and saving
lives through the power
of aviation. Our donation
process is easy and the tax
benefits are significant.
wingsofhope.ngo
Questions? Contact Mike Piccirilli
at 314-705-9250
or mike.piccirilli@wingsofhope.ngo.
AOPA PILOT / September 2023
35
http://www.mt-propeller.com http://wingsofhope.ngo http://www.starsandcommanders.com http://www.littlebuttesbooks.com
AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2023
