BEST OF Cap’n Aux, 2015!

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HAPPY EASTER, FOLKS!

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.”—Mat 28:6

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

from the flight blog, this is Cap’n Aux speaking. I’ve been hearing your cries! We are long overdue for our traditional “BEST OF,” so now that my insanely complex tax return (think a Rube Goldberg machine) has been taken care of (including that pesky new Obamacare form!), we can get down to serious business, so sit back, relax, and enjoy . . . .

The BEST OF CAP’N AUX, 2015!

Best of 15 Banner

10. OSHKOSH 15: WEEKEND MAGIC!

Traditionally, we start at Number 10. Well, this time it was a bit of a tie, so I’m gonna allow two posts to take it this year, starting with that veritable orgy of plane porn, EAA’s AirVenture, otherwise known as “Oshkosh!”

_Aux RDC Sully

Watching the beginning of the nighttime airshow with Captain Richard De Crespigny (L) and Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger!

  While all the Oshkosh posts always come in strong, this one took it pretty easily, I think because there were a lot of pics of YOU in there, as well as the great Cap’n Richard De Crespigny (whom we’ll hear from pretty high up in this countdown), and some guy they call Sully! ;o)

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/osh15-saturday-magic/

For more Oshkosh see my other posts as well:

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10-2.0 MAY THE WORD ON THE RAMP BE WITH YOU!

Tied with the Top Oshkosh post was my traditional “May the 4th” post, which always has a little fun with Unofficial Star Wars Day (you know, as in, “May the Fourth Be With You?!” Hey, I didn’t make it up!) I think this one snuck in because of the artificial boost by all the space jockeys googling “Star Wars” and “May the 4th” that day, which is fine by me—hope they enjoyed their visit, as I know you do! Oh, and bonus: this is a Word on the Ramp video, one of my favorites!

Direct Link http://capnaux.com/may-the-bif-wotr-be-with-you/

AND REMEMBER . . . 

May the 4th be with you

9. Eyewit-less News: Mary Schiavo and the Clueless Press

Mary Schiavo  In 2015, I became a Columnist for that amazing aviation magazine, Airways, as well as a writer for its online counterpart, Airwaysnews.com.

  Our first of several Top 10’s from that great publication is my Op Ed taking Mary Schiavo to task for her alarmist views of the TSA-approved KCM (Known Crew Member) security program, and the clueless TV news station who thought they’d uncovered some sinister plot.

  Ironically, in the news this week, a flight attendant got busted for attempting to smuggle no less than 68 pounds of cocaine through security. See, I told you. The program works!

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/eyewit-less-news-mary-schiavo-and-the-clueless-press/

8. Interview with #AA550 First Officer Steve Stackelhouse

Michael Johnston 4Tragically, my airline lost one of its finest last year, as my friend Captain Mike Johnston suffered a heart attack in flight.

Steve S cockpit Lo  First Officer Steve Stackelhouse, an excellent pilot with whom I’ve flown many times, saved the day by diverting for a safe landing.

  Unfortunately, however, we still lost Captain Mike. In this exclusive interview, Steve relates the story. In the magazine version (February, 2016), we also explain just what a “copilot” is—and, as those of you who read this blog know, a copilot is not just there to serve the Captain coffee—he is a fully-qualified pilot as well.

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/exclusive-an-interview-with-aa550-first-officer-stackelhouse/

7. The Airline Pilot’s Kryptonite

Superman_beyond2_p29a  The image of a pilot is a “super” one, but did you know there’s a secret kryptonite that threatens to turn our Superhero into a snarling jackal of evil?

  With over 1,100 shares on Facebook alone, our second AirwaysNews Op Ed to hit the Top 10 explains the train wreck that mergers can cause regarding pilot seniority. Sadly, rather than holding hands and singing, “Kumbaya,” pilot groups in a merger tend to fight tooth and nail for the slightest advantage, as this Op Ed explains.

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/op-ed-the-airline-pilots-kryptonite/

6. Women of Aviation

Karlene Petitt; women in aviationLast summer, I started a series entitled, “Women of Aviation,” featuring and written by many fascinating “aviatrixes.” I intended it to only be a few posts, but it blossomed into nearly ten! I’m very encouraged by the amazing talent of these lady aviators out there, and I hope that they, and this series, will inspire a whole NextGen of lady aviators!

  Our good Blog Buddy and fellow “Blogging in Formation” pilot-author Karlene Pettit took the prize for the most popular of the Women of Aviation series, but we will certainly include links to the others for you as well:

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/women-in-aviation-karlene-petitt-author-aviator-blogger-cnn-rock-star/

WOAW site  In related news, I got invited to give talks to young ladies in Albuquerque during Women of Aviation Worldwide’s “Fly it Forward” event last year. Here’s one last inspiring post for our young, potential female aviators!

http://capnaux.com/woaw-wow/

Eric DHC6Cockpit35. Pilots of the Caribbean

Looking back, I’ve come to realize that a pilot’s career is nothing but timing and luck. But, sometimes, you gotta create your own luck. Here’s a whimsical, two-part “There I Wuz!” series on how I rolled the dice and risked everything—and wound up hitting the jackpot!

  The full version of this is available in Airways Magazine January, 2016 edition.

Direct Links

Part 1: http://capnaux.com/there-i-wuz-pilot-of-the-caribbean/

Part 2: http://capnaux.com/pilot-of-the-caribbean-part-2/

it-computers-flies-americans-video_game-pilots-flying-68130576_low4. Fly By Wifi? Think Again, Hacker!

Last year saw a silly notion fly through the news media regarding a man who claimed to have “flown” an airliner simply by hacking into the onboard entertainment system. Uh, nice try, Joker, a lot of chumps bought into your fairy tale, but here’s why it didn’t happen.

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/fly-by-wifi-think-again-hacker/

Aux RdC Thumbs 1 Lo3. Black Swan Event

This project was the most challenging of the year, and the one of which I am most proud.

  Via Skype, I interviewed Captain Richard De Crespigny, the Qantas pilot who safely landed his A380 after the Number Two engine exploded, damaging all but one system.

  This story is not only full of drama, it is a textbook example of CRM—Crew Resource Management. In this 3-part video series, we discuss the “black swan” emergency, CRM, and the future of aviation.

  The full interview is available in the July/August/September issues of Airways Magazine, and the companion video interviews, aproximately 15 minutes each, are available online at AirwaysNews.com. Here’s all 3 links:

Black Swan Event: the Captain De Crespigny Story

http://capnaux.com/black-swan-event-the-captain-de-crespigny-story-pt-1/

Part 2: Of CRM, A Rascally Attitude, and Coming in Hot and Heavy

http://capnaux.com/black-swan-event-part-2/

Part 3: Of Swiss Cheese Avalanches, Aspiring Pirates, Flying Lawnmowers and YOU

http://capnaux.com/black-swan-event-part-3/

2. Top Five Improvements in Modern Aviation Safety

IMG_4351 crop

Aviation has evolved to the point where flying on an airline is safer than walking. In another Op Ed for AirwaysNews.com, I offer up my opinion on the best improvements to come along in recent decades.

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/top-5-modern-improvements-in-aviation-safety/


And, before we get to the Number One post of the year . . . 

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In 2015, I also published 2 more books, as well as released 2 on audiobook. Check ’em out!

http://amazon.com/author/ericauxier

(PS—I’m also on track to publish 2 more this year, so stand by!)

And the Number One Post of 2015 is . . .

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1. Germanwings 9525, and Media (Ir)Responsibility

AWN Top 1 Article 2015  After the Germanwings tragedy, the clueless media was at it again, irresponsibly “solving” the case before crash investigators had even extracted the Black Boxes.

  Worse, CNN’s self-proclaimed “Aviation Expert” Richard Quest rudely shouted down two airline captains when they were hesitant to discuss security on worldwide feed.

  This was not only our top blog post, but at over 7,500 Facebook shares, it was the top post of 2015 for AirwaysNews as well.

Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/bif-germanwings-9525-media-irresponsibility/

Direct Link to AirwaysNews Top 10 of 2015: http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2015/12/30/2015-top-10/

Well, there you have it! Best of the Best of 2015! Listed below, you’ll find our “Best of” from previous years, including last year’s über popular posts, “Top 10 Things to Not Say to a Pilot” and “Seven Simple Steps to becoming an Airline Pilot.”

And, don’t miss these gems from 2015 as well . . .

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

  1. The BBC did a live radio interview with me regarding Kogalymavia Flight 9268. Check out the feed here: http://capnaux.com/the-bbc-n-me/
  2. Fledgling Flyer February—Throughout February, I had young, upcoming aviators write posts. The series was fantastic! Here’s the last one, which has links to the previous ones, including a post by Swayne Martin of Bold Method fame: http://capnaux.com/fff-patricia-espinosa/
  3. Returning to the Nest—At the beginning of the year, I gave a talk at my old aviation college, as well as an interview with KDAP host Howard Henderson (sadly, we lost him later that year.) The post contains some excellent advice for our upcoming aviators. Check it out! http://capnaux.com/returning-to-the-nest/
  4. Word on the Ramp! SS wotrLife in the Sky: It Ain’t What it Used To Be. Or Is It? Another Op Ed for AirwaysNews, this one, I believe, brings hope to the discouraged aviator. As Dusty Tucker says in my novel, The Last Bush Pilots, “The adventure’s still out there, son. You just gotta go find it.” http://capnaux.com/airwaysnews-special-life-in-the-sky-it-aint-what-it-used-to-be-or-is-it/
  5. Full Course Turkey Surprise http://capnaux.com/full-course-turkey-surprise/
  6. The Darwin Awards, Aviation Style http://capnaux.com/a-scary-sweet-halloween-avgeek-treat/
  7. Word on the Ramp Finally, don’t forget to check out all our fun “Word on the Ramp” videos as well: https://vimeo.com/album/3162370

This is Cap’n Aux . . . Signing off!

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