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non-superhero – all while maintaining an even strain when the poo impacts the rotating impeller. Plus, we do the office job work thing when not in the air. We shovel snow, mow the grass, power wash the deck, fix the toilet and become a social virtuoso with amazing Saturday Night Fever dance moves during social events. Isn’t it curious how everyone asks how we can fly those airplane things with trapeze-like skill despite having dance moves like, um, “that?” We Are Good Looking We can attribute the aforementioned writing style to the United States Military as well. And yes, we Air Force fighter pilots did more than fly, fight and um, fudge the facts – we had office jobs too. But sometimes we need a break from aviating, writing, shoveling snow and our questionable dance moves. We need to sit in the figurative right seat (or even the back seat) and enjoy the hard work of other superheroes. For me, AirVenture Oshkosh is one of those breaks. And the theme of the convention this year was from my past: fighters and fighter pilots. Before I f lew prodigious, plodding, people-movers for pay, I flew a single-seat, single-engine, high-g weapon of war. To get a sampling of that F-16 past, read T &T articles “Passing Gas” (about aerial refueling) in January 2011; “Paper Airplanes” (about an F-16 test flight) in May 2011; and “The Van Ride” (about a hippie (me) and a surgeon (Dick Karl) that followed their dream of flight despite the long odds) in March 2014. And it’s not just me. All fighter pilots have a similar chest- thumping persona; it’s part of our charm. And it’s also not that all pilots are unusually smart and good looking – it’s just that smart, good-looking people happen to make better pilots. An Aviator Reunion Each year at Oshkosh, I start by registering at the me- dia credential check-in station before I head over to get a camping permit. After setting up camp, I go straight to Pilots N Paws® is an online meeting place for pilots and other volunteers who help to transport rescue animals by air. The mission of the site is to provide a user- friendly communication venue between those that rescue, shelter, and foster animals; and pilots and plane owners willing to assist with the transportation of these animals. A general aviation transport requires just one pilot volunteer and is far more efficiePnt ialnod ts & Paws dependable than time-consuming ground transportation for these animals who are often in danger of euthanization. Volunteer pilots retain complete authority of their planning and flights, and can give as much or as little time as they like. Flights are tax deductible 501c3. SIMPLE AS 1-2-3 No bothersome paperwork required! If you love to fly, and you love animals, please join us now! It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s extremely rewarding. Joining is easy and takes just a minute of your time. 1. Go to www.pilotsnpaws.org and register 2. Post your information and read other posts ® 3. Wait for contacts /make contact with others ® Pilots N Paws www.pilotsnpaws.org 34 • TWIN & TURBINE / August 2019 House Roger That