People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.
— Jack Handey, ‘Deep Thoughts from Saturday Night Live.’
The golden age of British aviation art
The Telegraph has a fascinating article about the golden age of British aviation art back when flying was still new and the preserve of “crackpots, inventors and the goggled rich…” Hence, the general public needed to be convinced that flying was safe and that’s where aviation art came into play.
Apparently, British aviation art for commercial aviation began around the time Imperial Airways formed in 1924 with just 15 aircraft – two of which crashed during the first year of operation. Imperial then hired a publicity manager who enlisted artists or illustrators like Ben Nicholson, John Piper and László Moholy Nagy to help with a promotional campaign to sell “dreams” rather than airline tickets.
World War II suspended commercial aviation in Britain but when it resumed after the war, so did aviation art. It was not until the jet age of the 1970s before aviation posters were finally done in by other forms of media like TV commercials.
If you are interested in learning more about British aviation art, The Telegraph mentioned a new book entitled British Aviation Posters which is collection of more than 150 posters from British Airways’ archive.
In addition, a quick search of Google reviews the website of the Military Print Company which has a very good collection of British military aviation related posters for sale plus the website of the Guild of Aviation Artists which has an online gallery of all 455 paintings by 149 artists in their 2012 gallery. The Guild’s 42nd Open Annual ‘Aviation Paintings of the Year’ Summer Exhibition will also be opened at The Mall Galleries on Monday and it will run until Sunday July 22. 2012.
Going to the Farnborough Air Show? There’s an app for that.
I’ve been going to the Farnborough Airshow since I was a little boy and more recently as a journalist and then as an aviation marketing person, and I can tell you that there’s nothing more irritating that schlepping around all day with a pocket encyclopaedia in your bag. This weighty tome is the exhibitors guide. Now, there’s a lighter, smarter alternative. The new Farnborough Airshow iPhone App.
Aviators Guide to Ireland
Although based in the Bay Area, Max Trescott has brought our attention to the Aviators Guide to Ireland, a 400-page guidebook that includes detailed photos and information about 210 airstrips in Ireland.
Max pointed out in his post about book that while the cost of flying in Europe can be outrageous (as many of our readers already know) but Ireland tends to be an exception as most airports do not have landing fees. That’s because most Irish airports are privately owned grass strips maintained either by farmers and aviation enthusiasts.
As you can see from a sample airport entry below, the guide offers pilots everything they need to know about an airport or landing strip:
The Aviators Guide to Ireland retails for €29.95 + €5.00 P&P in Ireland and £24.95 + £5.00 P&P in the UK. Pilots can order the guide by clicking here.
And in case you have not gotten a chance to fly over to or above Ireland, check out this Above & Beyond video about Ireland:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnfVQPcco0g&w=480]
Three Christmas gift ideas for pilots
Christmas will be here in less than two weeks and in case you are a non-pilot who has not gone out and bought a present yet for the special pilot in your life (or perhaps you are a pilot who wants to drop a few hints), Jason Schappert of the MzeroA blog has put together a short video with three great stocking stuffer ideas. Jason’s three gift ideas? The Airshow America DVD, Pilot Life T-Shirts and of course, his new book: The FAR/AIM In Plain English.
The top 10 books for general aviation pilots
We suspect that many of our pilot or would-be pilot readers will be grounded for the winter but Jason Schappert of MzeroA.com has put together his ultimate private pilot reading list of the top 10 books that should be on every pilot’s or student pilot’s shelf. His list of books included the following:
- Stick and Rudder
- Pass Your Private Pilot Checkride
- Flight of Passage
- Say Again Please
- Making Perfect Landings In Light Airplanes
- The Student Pilot Flight Manual
- You Can Be A Pilot! Answers to 25 Questions About Learning To Fly
- Flying Carpet: The Soul of An Airplane
- Controlling Pilot Error: Situational Awareness
- Logging Flight Time
Are there any other books that should be added to Jason’s ultimate list?