Fall 2022 Flying Musicians Update

Past and current happenings with aviation and music pursuits of Flying Musicians.

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Now you can easily find and read past stories

We have archived past articles and post on the website for easy reference and your enjoyment.

Since 2021 the main aggregate of news from FMA has been the new FMA website.

We share links to these stories through our social media outlets and even push a notification to members using OneSignal.

Be the first to receive notification of new articles as they go live. Find out more with a quick tutorial at - FMA 1Signal.

Floor Opens

We are now accepting nomination for the 2023 FMA Solo program.

This is the ninth year with many successes: 14 scholarships awarded, 300+ new student members, and many new private pilots.

For more information visit FMA SOLO.

Live Music

The West Coast Jam has been long in the works. With an extra push by an Easterner, it happened.

Lee Ross (FMA Board member), Mark Jones, Jay Mason (CA ambassador), Don Raymond and Paul Villa played at the Mahè at Seal Beach in California Sunday (9/18/2022) evening representing the Flying Musicians.

They had a blast while also raising awareness and funds ($300) for the Flying Musicians Association and the FMA Solo program scholarship.

Ten of these jams, at $300 each, across the country, and abroad, will fund a scholarship.

Read the entire story along with lots of pictures at FMA - West Coast Jam.

We are back! AirVenture 2022 was as normal as can be expected after what the world has been going through.

Several entities donated in return for live music performed by FMA members and friends. A huge shout out to Hartzell Propeller, US Sport Planes & Jabiru owners, Seaplane Pilots Association, and the EAA Aviation Foundation for their contributions and for supporting live music.

Click here to read more.

Members performed at the Seaplane Pilots Association's Corn Roast.

L-R: Jeff Auen, Sam Fritchle, Kass Smith, Doug Byrd

We were contacted by Dave Olmstead of Continental Air Show Productions. Dave is a musician too. He wants to support our efforts.

Wow...This support is amazing!

Dave suggested, in addition to posting a banner at air show center, he would run 30 second vocal public service announcements. So we asked Aaron Tippin if he'd record one. He did! So we then asked Patty Wagstaff. She did!

The call went out to members too and Kass Smith jumped on this opportunity. Thank you Kass!

Now we are on a roll and would like to invite others to do the same. Ask you favorite artists and air show personalities. You will be surprised too.

Listen to their recordings on the FMA YouTube channel.

A Gift for Donating

We have started a capital campaign for a limited time offering a limited edition gift for donors.

Wouldn't it be nice to have an FMA mug for your favorite warm beverage? Or perhaps a gift to someone who will enjoy it.

Find out more about the October campaign.

World Helicopter Day

For the third year in a row, NE ambassador Greg Knowles rounded up the troops to perform at Independent Helicopters for World Helicopter Day. Joining Greg were Lee Ross (FMA Board Member), Sharon Siomak, Sal Lagonia, and Roger Astudillo.

They have such a great time each year.

Happy Dog

Thought you all would enjoy seeing Becky Homet preparing for an enjoyable flight from Michigan east to Pennsylvania. Josh took some time off flying the Gulfstream to fly the family's 182 to visit relatives. A huge THANKS to both Josh and Becky for their incredible dedication and hard work ensuring the FMA Open Mic / Jam at AirVenture is a success each year.

There are no shortages of inspiring stories from our student members.

Liam is a young man whom we met through his grandfather (Dan Keen) at AirVenture several years ago.Dan and Liam play in the EAA AirVenture Concert band.

Liam is now a Pilot!

Click here to read about his incredible journey.

Shaylene (2021 Solo recipient) interns at Bell in Canada.

Read about accomplishments of so many other students and happenings with your fellow pilot musicians at - FMA Archives.

Member Anthony Nalli with his band, Wicked Truth, at Sun 'N Fun 2022.

When member wins gold we celebrate. Long time member and aviation writer, James Wynbrandt, won the National Business Aviation Association’s 2021 Gold Wing Award for Journalism Excellence for his article “Flying in the Age of COVID-19,” which appeared in Business Jet Traveler magazine. This was his second consecutive Gold Wing Award.

Where are they now?

Jake Myers, 2020 Solo recipient, is now a private pilot attending Penn State and a proud member of the Air Force ROTC. Read more.

Scott Lutte, 2019 Solo recipient, earns his commercial ticket. Scott also performed Taps at the EAA Memorial Wall ceremony during AirVenture 2021. Read more.

William Knauth, 2017 Solo recipient, earns two degrees while also excelling at Golf and Music.

We hope you enjoyed this edition and will find all the past articles, now conveniently organized on the Archives page, equally pleasing. Send in your photos and stories for future inclusion.