AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2022 - 18

LETTERS
Hangar Talk
" This magical photo flight was only possible because of John McKenna, "
said AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman. " He guided us through
the mountain passes he knows so well in his Cessna 185, pointed out terrain
features and wildlife for us, and made the entire experience an absolute thrill. "
Hirschman and AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis followed McKenna
in an Aviat A-1C Husky provided by AOPA member Mark Dunkerly for
" The Mountains Are Calling, " p. 50. The outside air temperature was well
below freezing on the frigid morning they overflew Yellowstone, and Tulis's
hands quickly became numb from holding the metal camera in the 100knot
slipstream beside the airplane's open left window. " The Husky's got an
unbelievably good heater, " Tulis said. " When my hands got too cold, I'd put
them next to the heater for a minute or two to let them thaw out. " We hope
you'll agree the timeless photos and video Tulis recorded during their twohour
flight was well worth any temporary discomfort.
" If I had a nickel for every vineyard I have shot, " joked Senior Photographer
Chris Rose at Mari Vineyards in Traverse City, Michigan, during the photo
shoot for " True Blue Happiness, " p. 60, in October. Michigan is surprisingly
known for its wine region, especially on the Old Mission Peninsula outside
Traverse City. But it was Rose who chose the vineyard we featured because of
his affection for the television series The Curse of Oak Island, whose star owns
Mari Vineyards. The show is about a millionaire who is searching for treasure
on an island in Nova Scotia. He's to date found nothing-it's been nine years-
but the vineyard is a thriving venture started with proceeds from the show.
And about that hat: Rose received compliments throughout the trip from men
who would stop and say that's a great hat.
How did Senior Photographer David Tulis and Senior Editor Jill W. Tallman
wind up at a biker hotel in Alpine, Texas? " Our trip to the Big Bend region of
Texas was a series of moving targets right up to the day we actually departed
Maryland, " said Tallman, pictured here between Tulis (left) and local pilot Mark
Morrison. " We missed our flight to Texas, and then in Texas we arrived too
late to get a rental car and had to spend an extra night in Odessa/Midland.
This messed up all our other travel arrangements. " But with travel frustrations
come unexpected surprises. Tulis discovered Big Bend Biker Hotel in Alpine,
and since he owns a Honda Valkyrie and a Suzuki V Strom, he was intrigued.
" I had envisioned Hell's Angels types hanging around, but it is a lovely lodgestyle
place with indoor parking for motorcycles-and the bikes we saw during
our stay were high end, " said Tallman. " I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. " (See
" Take a Giant Step, " p. 70.)
" I didn't think I would ever want to leave, " said Senior Features Editor Julie
Summers Walker of hanging out in pilot Gerald Herbert's hangar at Port of
South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (APS) in Reserve outside New
Orleans. The sleepy airport and the comfy couches in Herbert's hangar were
in such stark contrast to the chaotic, bustling opulence of the city that the
description " big easy " seemed more apropos to this setting than NOLA itself
(see " Ease On Down, " p. 80). " Unfortunately, the other sound at the airport
was of dump trucks hauling debris from the destruction caused by Hurricane
Ida, " said Walker. Even months after the devastating storm, the New Orleans
area is still struggling to recover. Plan your trip soon-the resilience and
hospitality of the people of New Orleans has not wavered. The red carpet may
be frayed and tattered but it's still out and the food is as good as advertised.
18
AOPA PILOT / March 2022
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - March 2022
