The management team at PilotMag is pleased to inform you that Jeff Berlin has been named as their new Editor, effective immediately. Jeff comes to PilotMag with a depth of print industry experience that includes a period as editor of Plane & Pilot and Pilot Journal magazines. During his tenure at Plane & Pilot, the audited newsstand circulation grew by 24%. Before working at Werner Publishing, Jeff contributed as a writer to magazines including AOPA Pilot, Private Pilot, Private Air, Aerokurier, and Aviation et Pilote.

A pilot since 1994, Jeff is multiengine and instrument rated, has flown a multitude of aircraft ranging from ultralights and LSA’s to cabin-class turboprops and jets. He enjoys keeping an eye on how technology impacts the flying experience and has a particular affinity for aviation history. He feels that today’s pilots shouldn’t forget those that came before them.

Jeff is also a widely published fashion and portrait photographer. For five years he lived and worked in Paris, France and Milan, Italy, and his work still appears in numerous editions of domestic and international magazines. He has shot for Vogue Italia, Esquire, L’Oreal, Wella, Estée Lauder, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Maxim, Teen magazine, In Style, and Condé Nast Brides, to name a few.

Based in Los Angeles, when Jeff’s not writing, editing, and tooling around in the Cirrus he most often flies, he will continue to shoot celebrity portraits, beauty and fashion. Many of you worked with Jeff in his previous position at Plane & Pilot; he now looks forward to working with you in his new gig at PilotMag. Please add him to your press distribution list at Jeff@PilotMag.com

Over the last year, Pilotmag has had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and creative group of contributors. We are so grateful for their amazing stories, their jaw dropping photographs and, most importantly, their patience as our brand continues to permeate the community of aviation. Our contributors are our eyes and ears, bolding going where we sometimes can’t. Without the assistance of these creative individuals, PilotMag couldn’t bring you the best in aviation adventure, and we look forward to future adventures in coming issues. See who PilotMag is working with.

We are also seeking your adventure flying stories, exciting destinations, pilot profiles, and contributions as well. So please send your story, photo or video ideas to editorial@pilotmag.com today!

PilotMag proudly announces the May / June 2010 Issue and the launch of our coast to coast presence. PilotMag is now available in all Barnes and Noble, Borders, Indigo, Books-A-Million, Hastings and Chapters Bookstores across the US and Canada.

What a week it was. The Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron blasted their way into the National Air Race Championships this year in Reno. Having not demonstrated the F-18 Hornets since 2000, the squadron and their staff of over 150 individuals provided a show that undoubtedly blew the socks off of every patron and reminded all of us the sound of freedom and that nothing ever good happens without hard work.

After each demonstration flight throughout the country, each Blue Angel pilot has the opportunity to “meet and greet” with the crowd, signing autographs and shaking hands. Amazed by their success and skills at operating these incredible aircraft, the crowd is wooed by their aviation prowess. However, as we looked closer at the operation, we wanted to find the individuals that weren’t in the spotlight. We wanted to find those that worked behind the scenes to make this show so impressive; those that didn’t have their time in the spotlight.

PilotMag had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the dedicated staff and support team of this amazing squadron. Up early on Sunday morning during the show, before the sun broke through, we met up with 7 GEEK, one of the squadron’s work centers, as they ran through a litany of pre-flight inspections and system checks as patrons of the 2009 Reno Air Races still enjoyed a Sunday morning slumber. 7 GEEK, who we met a few nights before at the gym, was a collection of polite, mannerly individuals who were more than happy to accommodate our interest in what they do. In fact, they were excited that we even took notice to what their contributions were. They invited us out to observe their system checks and various duties to ready the aircraft for the day’s event. After speaking with Travis Simpson, Life Support and Crew Chief, PilotMag was provided an all access pass to photograph the pre-flight operation and meet some of the people involved on the ground.

Over 110 enlisted and career oriented Navy and Marine Corp maintenance and support team volunteers, chosen by their peers, are the back bone to this group demonstrating at over 35 different locations per year throughout the United States and across the globe. All of these Sailor and Marine enlisted applicants come recommended for Blue Angels duty by their current commanding officer and their peers. Applicants go through extensive screening, including interviews with current members. The selection process secures the squadron’s tradition of excellence, ensuring the Blue Angels are a direct reflection of the professionalism of today’s Sailors and Marines. After completing a Blue Angels tour, team members return to the fleet and continue their naval careers.

Although every team member brings skills in a distinct job specialty, each is expected to work beyond that specialty, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the squadron. The squadron consists of 15 distinct work centers, jointly responsible for guaranteeing command readiness. A testament to the hard work and attentiveness of each and every maintenance and support individual, the Blue Angels has never once cancelled an air show due to a maintenance problem.

Since the F-18 Super Hornet is the Navy’s newest and combat ready strike fighter, each work center and Crew Chief are tasked with maintaining the active electronically scanned area (AESA) radar, the advanced targeting forward looking infrared (ATFLIR), the joint-helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS), the multifunctional information distribution system, and much much more. The aircraft’s 5th generation aerodynamic design gives the Super Hornet (F/A-18E/F) exceptional combat maneuverability, unlimited angle of attack, high resistance to spin and departures and the ease of handling and training. With a dedicated staff and these technological advancements, the Super Hornet remains combat relevant well into the 21st century.

What we found after our visit with these talented individuals is that they have worked hard to earn a spot on the Blue Angels team, they have been hand selected by their peers and commanding officers, and they are driven to be the best. As you watch this staff working on the ramp, they carry a sense of purpose and a distinctive goal of success. This impressive group should not be overlooked and everyone should remember that even know the pilots are the one’s putting on the aerial show, there are people like Travis Simpson and 109 others that make these shows happen. PilotMag was honored to witness their duties and educate all aviation enthusiasts that the pilots aren’t the only ones putting on the show.

Thanks to everyone from 7 GEEK for allowing us the opportunity to see the Blue Angels up close and personal. The day hadn’t even begun, however it was a chance of a lifetime.

PilotMag was a proud sponsor of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational at the 2009 Reno Air Races. Over 30 vintage aircraft were on display to be judged by an expert panel of aircraft judges for aircraft authenticity as well as a people's choice award that was voted by patrons of the event. Gates L. Scott, the publisher of PilotMag was on hand to handout The Orville and Wilbur Award along with pilots Patty Wagstaff, Hoot Gibson and Bob Hoover at his side to the lucky winner of this year's event.

The vision and mission of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational is to encourage the preservation of aviation history through the restoration of vintage aircraft to original flying condition via friendly competition, bringing valuable aviation treasures together in one venue. It is extremely important that PilotMag aligns themselves with the vintage aircraft community to preserve the history and majesty of flight. In order to stimulate change and participation in aviation, PilotMag continues to support these types of events to send a message of partnership and community development.

We encourage vintage aircraft owners to get involved in this excellent event. If you would like to enter your vintage aircraft in next year’s event, you can visit the National Aviation Heritage Invitational

PilotMag had the opportunity to fly with the Mighty Waco for our July/August feature. Enjoy some video on the most amazing biplane on the planet. Video footage courtesy of Waco Classic. Check out PilotMag's Video with The Mighty Waco

Micah Ciampa of PilotMag spent a week with the pilots and ground crew of The F-104 Starfighters Demo Team at the Kennedy Space Center for our feature in the July/August issue. Check out PilotMag's Video with The Working Warbird or “The Missile with a Man in It! Video footage courtesy of Starfighters.

PilotMag traveled to the desert, of all places, to fly seaplanes. Along with Site Six Productions, PilotMag shot some air-to-air footage of the canyons, lakes and mountains along Lake Havasu. Flying seaplanes in the desert. What a trip! Check out PilotMag's Seaplane Video

Recently, I had the opportunity to fly the foothills of Colorado on a beautiful April morning to a 1800 acres ranch west of Castle Rock, at the infamous Elephant Rock. In an effort to be philanthropic as well as a good environmental steward, I sent out an email message to the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts (CCLT) to marketing my skills as a pilot and donate survey flights for the various easements in the state. I figured we could survey properties twice as fast from the air than on the ground. It would also lead me to interesting places in the state to land and fly. (Totally selfish reasons, really)

The Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts is the collective voice for land conservation in Colorado. They spread my message to land trusts and local government open space programs which have collectively protected over 2 million acres of Colorado’s wildlife habitat, working farms and ranches, and significant natural landscapes, that I was available to help in any way I could. One of the members of CCLT, Colorado Opens Lands has sent Gates L. Scott, the publisher of PilotMag out on various mission surveys taking photographs. Together PilotMag and Colorado Open Lands were able to monitor 12 easements in 2008 and over 6 already this year. We are able to monitor over eight easements in one short morning flight, and saving Colorado Open Lands a great deal of resources when monitoring it from the ground”, says Mo Ewing, Director of Land Stewardship, Colorado Open Lands. In their latest newsletter, they sent out “A Big Thank You…”

PilotMag is dedicated to being a better environmental steward in Colorado. Check out our video with Colorado Open Lands PilotMag’s Conservancy Flight

PilotLounge makes a visit to one of the largest seaplane bases in the United States. Come meet some of the employees and pilots of this incredible landmark of aviation. Check out PilotMag's Video with Kenmore Air

Learning how to fly is an experience best shared. This is the principle philosophy for Able Flight, an incorporated 501 c3 organization whose mission is to offer people with disabilities a unique way to challenge themselves through flight training and, by doing so, gain greater self-confidence and self-reliance. Based in Dumbarton, North Carolina, Able Flight has designed a scholarship program for aspiring pilots with disabilities to pursue the experience. For somebody with a disability to even consider flight training, there are a host of challenges. The process can be daunting, but Able Flight supports many aspiring pilots and provides countless resources for the achievement of their goals. Please visit Able Flight today to help support their cause or direct someone you know to help in their search for flight.

PilotMag has teamed up with American Web in Denver to print the most responsible and eco-friendly product possible. PilotMag takes environmental concerns very seriously by promoting the development of alternate fuels for aircraft and utilizing recycled materials for the production of our magazine. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) label is a sign you are buying wood and paper products from well-managed forests, backed by a rigorous, third-party certification audit. Learn more about how SFI Inc. is improving sustainable forest management in North America and supporting responsible procurement globally. Visit the SFI Program's Website for more information.

PilotMag’s publisher Gates L. Scott and Associate Editor, Jack Ferguson host the PilotMag Podcast from the PilotLounge.com studios at Centennial Airport outside of Denver, Colorado. Check out the PilotMag Podcast