Red Tails Review

My 10-year-old son, Aidan, has been excited about the release of “Red Tails” almost as much as me.  It’s funny because of my 2 boys, he’s the one who seems least interested in aviation.  I think the lure for him was a.) he recognized the Lucasfilm logo and knows that he made Star Wars (one of his favorite movies) and b.) he was excited to see a “grown up film about war and stuff.”  Whatever his reasoning, mine was much more transparent. I was excited for yet another movie that turned audiences thoughts and eyes toward the sky and brought to the forefront of our consciences, the contributions of aviators such as The Tuskegee Airmen.

And in that, I think the movie is largely successful.

The movie begins by showing us the problem.  American fighter pilots were trained to shoot down German fighters.  Sounds right, eh?  However, when escorting a B-17 bomber group, there was  problem.  The fighters would go chasing the German fighters and leave the bomber unprotected and as a result the losses were dramatic.  The all-black 332nd Fighter Group is flying worn out P-40′s and feels underutilized, flying missions far from the front that have little or now impact on the war effort.  They are itching for “real” action.  Of course, they get it.

They are assigned to bomber escort missions and they have remarkable success and with the tails of their P-51s (they received new planes for this newly acquired mission) they become known as a fierce band of fighter pilots.  And they do indeed reduce the losses suffered by the bombers they escort.

But let’s lay out something up front, the story is really not about aviation, it’s really about the struggle to overcome the racist stereotypes prevalent in society in the war years.  Aviation is simply the backdrop for that story.  And again, I think the film is largely successful in showing this.  As I’ve reflected on the film, I’ve had something gnawing at me-something that felt off.  Maybe it was the number of cliches in the dialogue, or that many of the scenes felt preachy or contrived.  The flying was not simply incidental to the larger story.  These men were pilots, fighter pilots, and they were black– to diminish either side of the equation is to miss the full impact of the Tuskegee Airmen.  Why were they there?  They wanted to FLY for their country– a country that, for the most part didn’t believe they had the ability to do so.  And if they could, many in leadership didn’t want them to.

The dofight scenes are well done.  The computerized animation is very well done.  But pilots will notices some problems with some of the shots –landings look odd…not realistic.  Formations are a little too perfect, too smooth.  The dialogue during the dogfights sometimes sounds like it was lifted from warbond posters, “How do ya like THAT Mr. Hitler?!”  “Tennessee says ‘Hello!”

I was particularly excited to see Cuba Gooding, Jr. in this picture.  But I was very disappointed in his character’s lack of engagement.  He gives one or two briefings and, after that, pretty much spends the rest of the movie putting his pipe in his mouth, smirking, and taking it out.  Then, putting it back in.   And unfortunately, this movie really suffers from lack of character development among the whole cast.

Now, I’m not trashing the movie.  Actually, I really, really liked it.  It was entertaining and spoke pretty well to the issues faced by the Tuskegee Airmen.  It just lacked the depth that would have made it an even better movie.

Rumor is, that a prequel and sequel are planned.  I think this movie needs a prequel and would make more sense to audiences to take up the full story of the airmen, particularly from their training days and the struggle to even get the Tuskegee project running.

At the end of the day, I’d encourage everyone to see the movie.  It is a good flick. Visually strong and compelling.  Just don’t go expecting something as strong as 1989′s Glory. 

When Should I take the Written Test?

This has come up a good bit recently among my flight students and it is a common question among all student pilots.  Besides your flight and ground training, there are 3 major hurdles in earning your private certificate- the written, the oral, and the flight test.  The first big step is the written exam.  It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions taken from the over 700 questions in the FAA test question bank.  I’ve found that my student’s approach to the written comes in 2 camps: 1.) The lions and 2.)The turtles.

The Lion’s attack the written material with gusto.  They hit the books hard and regularly.  They are impatient to get the written test done.  Eager to pass their first hurdle, they often see their bookwork leading their flight training.  Even though they may be only at the solo phase, they are already learning navigation, weight and balance, weather, and the applicable FARs.

The Turtles are the opposite of the Lions.  They procrastinate the written one way or another.  They seem intimidated by the material and, while they are eager to fly, it becomes apparrent that their book-knowledge is suffering.  Soon, they are a little (or a lot) frustrated that they aren’t progressing faster.  Ground lessons must make up for their lack of self-study, expensive time in the plane is spent with explanations on material that,in many cases should have been learned along the way.

I have a couple of fine pilots-in-training now, that are near the end of their training requirements, but are continuing to procrastinate and their training has slowed.  I feel for them, and am now having to pause flight training until the written is completed.

Let this be an encouragement to you to get that written out of the way early in your training.  It will only serve to benefit your flying and will help insure a smoother, more cost-efficient training process.

For my suggestions about studying for the written, check out my 10 Steps to Passing the Written Exam

If you would like assistance in preparing for the written, contact me.

Episode 25 | Interview with Student Pilot Todd Middlebrooks

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In this podcast  I’m excited to introduce you to my friend Todd Middlebrooks of Carrollton, GA.  Todd runs a fantastic sight over at www.pilottodd.com where he is journaling and posting some great videos of his journey toward his Private Pilot certificate.  We talk about how he got into flying, what he has enjoyed the most and what it’s like to learn in a 1960 Piper Tri-Pacer.  (We don’t need no stinking glass cockpits!  Ha!)  I hope you enjoy this interview and be sure to visit his site.

Todd’s Website

The NFlightCam Todd Mentions:

Sporty’s Private Pilot Course

You Can be a Pilot! Paperback and Ebook

mFC Podcast passes 25,000 for 2011!

Wow!  A year ago, this site and the podcast were still just an idea.  And today, the podcast download count passed 25,000!  I’m still in awe of the response and very thankful to everyone who listens.  This is why I do this…to be able to encourage and teach and assist you in becoming a safe and proficient pilot (I know, you hear that on almost every podcast!)  Please keep listening and spread the word to others you think might be interested.  If you have ideas for shows, topics you’d like to hear addressed or people you think would make great interviews, please email me: chris@myflightcoach.com

Again, many, many, thanks!

Chris

Episode 024 | The Uncomfortable Slip

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In this week’s episode I read an email I received from a listener who was uncomfortable doing slips.  I unpack a little about the maneuver, why it feels awkward, and how to overcome the hesitation in doing them.  I also spend a couple of minutes encouraging you to go after the written exam and not put it off.  The written, while far from a perfect assessment, does just by the process help you learn many concepts.  To me, there is great benefit in getting this test out of the way early in training–I prefer around the solo stage to have a student ready for the written.  There are several benefits to this which I discuss, not the least of which is that it is a great confidence builder.

I remind you, in a shameless piece of advertising that my You Can Be A Pilot! book would make a great stocking stuffer or a great gift for your friend who has a New Year’s resolution to learn to fly.  It’s also a great resource for Flight Schools to give to people at the end of their Discovery Flight.

You’re also encouraged to check out PilotTodd.com  It’s a FANTASTIC site chronicling Todd Middlebrooks of Carrollton, GA as he pursues his Pilot Certificate.  There are some really great videos over there.

Thanks to everyone who listens to this podcast.  I really am very grateful for the opportunity to help you become a more safe and proficient pilot.

Links from today’s show:

You Can Be a Pilot!  (Paperback)

You Can Be a Pilot! (Ebook)

PilotTodd.com

Explanation of Slips from my pal Jason Schappert of MzeroA.com