Last fall I had the opportunity to contribute photographically to the Wings of Valor book project.  It is an homage to the still-living men who downed at least five enemy aircraft during World War II…otherwise known as "aces."  My assignment was to create portraits of two men in Georgia and South Carolina…Commander Leroy Robinson, and Commander Robert Maxwell.

Recently, work began on a project that I’ve had in the back of my head for quite some time...that being to photograph WWII “bomber jackets”.  More properly known as “A2” jackets, many have distinctive artwork on both sides, and of course are unique to their owners.  As the horrors of WWII recede from memory, it seems to me that now, more than ever, is the time to remember the brave souls who sought to end this collective tragedy.

This portrait was created recently, and after posting it to Facebook, a relative of the subject inquired about the equipment used.  While that is often the most asked question by amateurs (no offense intended...we were all amateurs once), perhaps a better question would be to ask why the portrait was created this way.  The below lighting diagram should help explain how this image was created.

Oftentimes, when I mention to people that I’m an aviation photographer, they look at me as if I’m either “touched” or some sort of Superman…or both.  (Depending on who it is, I’ll let ‘em think that too…just for fun.)  Thus it is when I recently mentioned that I was commissioned by AOPA Turbine magazine to photograph a pilot who flies to/from Africa, carrying patients with the Ebola virus.

A friend recently alerted me to this recent interview on the Moth website.  Dawn is a WWII veteran and member of the Women Airforce Service Pilot's, otherwise known as the WASP's.

Imagine my surprise recently when I came across a very thinly disguised attempt at humor...on a business website!  Now, you too can own your very own COWBELL.  FOR 2 DOLLARS!  WHO KNEW? 

Not to shortchange the efforts, or the content, of our last two "Reaching High" interviews, but it's time to get 'em out on the street.

First up is the interview conducted with Brian Shul, one of only 93 men to ever fly the SR-71.  Not only was Brian a fighter pilot in Vietnam, but he survived a terrible fire to fully return to flight status, eventually being selected for the SR-71 program.  It's not a long interview, but it's packed full of information I've never heard anywhere else.

I recently received a call from a potential new client.  Like a lot of calls from folks I’ve never met before, she began with the phrase “We love your work…”  Usually this is a good indicator, but there are times when it can have a double meaning.  Such was the case with this call.  At this stage of my career, I’d consider myself an experienced business owner, and so I’ve learned to take a cautious stance when evaluating a potential client’s candor.

The Velocity, by all accounts, is one sexy airplane.  A "pusher" in aviation parlance, the rear-mounted engine helps to balance the design, and makes for a quieter cockpit too.  The "XL" is for extra large, in that the rear passenger compartment is a bit bigger than the original version, and the "RG" is for retractable gear.

Colonel Jill Long was initially a KC-10 aerial refueling tanker pilot in the US Air Force.  Later, she became a decorated A-10 Thunderbolt pilot who flew over 50 combat missions in Afghanistan.  She then moved on to become a squadron commander in Germany, and is a recent graduate of the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

For anyone who enjoys a good English accent, this interview is a real treat.  John Beattie has had quite the career flying in the Royal Navy, and in several other venues.  When the Seafire restoration project was nearing completion, he was contacted about test flying the aircraft.

Bob "Punchy" Powell doesn't consider himself a "hero", in the military sense.  You see, he was a pilot in WWII, and flew the P-51 Mustang over the beaches of Normandy, during the D-Day invasion.  He has been heard to say that the guys on the ground that day were the real heroes...he was just doing his everyday job.

Joe Shepherd is "the man".  A retired Northwest Airlines Captain with over 30 years experience, his aviation roots began in General Aviation, where they remain.  He was a CFI for a while before signing on with Northwest.  After retiring, he quickly returned to General Aviation.  I'm told this is a bit of an anomaly, as many retired airline pilots hang it up altogether, preferring not to go back to the little airplanes.  Not so with Joe...

In a short period of time, the Lockheed 12A Electra Junior has become one of my favorite aircraft to photograph.  The elegant lines with a subtle yet distinctive touch of "art deco" renders it irresistible in my eyes.  I believe "eye candy" is the current phrase that sums up my feelings about this aircraft...it just seems "right".