Paul-Hamilton.com

Credit, Where Credit is Due

Loretta Hamilton - Sport Pilot Angel

Almost every article I write, my wife and business partner, Loretta, edits to improve its readability, content, and understanding. You probably thought that I was a natural writer banging out these articles every month…not true. You may think I take all the pictures and do all the video shooting…not true. You may think I run the Adventure Productions business on my own…not true. You may think I do it all…not true.

This is my attempt to provide credit where credit is due…to my wife, Loretta for helping to make this all happen.

It started long ago when I was looking for a companion. I figured that since I loved aviation, I better find someone who had the same passion for flying as I did. I found her. She and I have been to 16,000 feet in a hang glider. Loretta became a soaring Paraglider pilot. We’ve traveled the globe pursuing our passion for filming all forms of aviation and producing numerous films for other aviation enthusiasts to enjoy.

During our initial years together, we each worked 9-to-5 jobs, with aviation as a hobby. We began filming our aviation adventures and I wanted to ultimately make filming and production a full time career.

One day I asked, “Sweetheart, can I quit my high paying engineering job to pursue a career making films for sport pilots? You could also quit your high paying secure job to help me. And, by the way, we should probably sell our dream house to lower our overheads so we can weather any economic storms.” Not many wives would agree to such a sacrifice, but Loretta did.

She jumped right into designing a web site and figured out how to setup an online store. This, when Internet shopping was in its infancy. Loretta figured out how to create a web empire that continues to climb higher in the search engines. She uses her artist eye to get fabulous shots of all sorts of aircraft. Whether it is while perched on some craggy outcropping to capture paragliders soaring by or standing in the hot sun to catch a low pass of a light sport aircraft down the centerline of the runway.

I think the best way to provide Loretta the credit she deserves is to share with you some anecdotes that give you a glimpse of her essence, each with a quote that amuses me to this day.

"It’s not my problem...Is it?"

I asked Loretta to join me to fly over the Sierras for a local EAA chapter breakfast to give a presentation on the benefits of the Sport Pilot license. My weather analysis showed that it was going to get windy and the thermals would be booming as the day progressed. I figured we needed to get back before that happened. The flight up over the 9,000-foot MSL mountains was great. However, the breakfast meeting was drawn out with numerous enthusiastic and the “medical” questions. We finally finished.

Knowing it was going to be terribly bumpy with winds creating rotors over the mountains, I asked: “It’s going to be bumpy and uncomfortable on the flight back. Is this OK with you?” Loretta responds was “If you think it’s safe to fly, lets go. You’ve got a seat belt to keep me from falling out...don't you?”

We got tossed around as we climbing out from the airport. Gaining a glimpse of Lake Tahoe, I could see from the wind lines on the lake that we were in for much worse. Weighing whether to continue or turn back I asked, “It is going to get even more turbulent. Is that OK with you?

We’re going to get severely bumped around and it could be scary. Do you want to continue?” Loretta’s response, “Bumps don’t bother me. Besides, you’re the Pilot and it’s your responsibility to fly the aircraft. It’s not my problem...Is it?”

“You, shut up and fly.”

Another time we had an opportunity to fly a cross-country trek to Zion National Park. We figured a two-hour out and return. It was a beautiful flight until we got to the edge of the park. There was a 20 MPH wind. The 2000-foot cliffs were producing a severe rotor.

I was very worried about the consequences of getting into the rotor. But, I knew we always had the option of turning downwind. As concerned as I was for the flying conditions, I also wanted to make certain that Loretta got the film shots that I wanted.

I began to direct her to shoot here, point the camera there, and don’t miss that shot. In the meantime, also concerned with the conditions, Loretta began backseat piloting. Suddenly there was a long silence. And then I heard, “You, shut up and fly. And I’ll get the shots.”

After that I focused on maintained altitude and avoided the rotors. Loretta got some wonderful shots of the glowing sunset lit cliffs. We finished with a lovely tailwind flight back to camp.

“They all put their pants on one leg at a time.”

Today, Loretta has become pretty good at answering most questions about Sport Pilot, even from career instructors and commercial pilots. Just the other day I asked her, “Don’t you get a little intimidated answering questions from these professional pilots working for the government or the airlines?“ Her response, “They all put their pants on one leg at a time.”

“It’s a Life Changing Experience”

At every fly-in or air show we attend, the number of private pilots inquiring whether they can also be Sport Pilots has increased. They wonder if it is really true that they can fly with just their drivers license as a proof of medical fitness.

The most moving and rewarding experience of each show for Loretta and myself is giving new hope to those who thought they would never be able to fly or haven’t flown in years because of some sort of medical situation.

“It’s a life changing experience for them, whether they do go on to fly or not.” Loretta reflected one night after a show. “To see the change that comes over them as they hear that, yes indeed they can fly as a Sport Pilot. Oh my…It gives me goose bumps. They get this amazing gleam in their eye and such a wide grin on their face. Wow! It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Pictures

	Loretta at the Adventure Productions booth at Oshkosh Airventure 2006, waiting to answer questions or provide transitioning pilots Sport Pilot Training materials.
	Loretta in her N-numbered trike.
	Loretta with the RV (which she loves to drive), with Mono Lake in the background.
	Loretta doing some filming from the back seat of trike over Lake Tahoe, California.
	Holding the trike wing down during a high wind afternoon on a filming trip in Moab, Utah.