Now is one of the best times of the year to fly. The sea of green below becomes a multicolored palette that, when seen from the air, can only be described as spectacular.

Crisp air, blue skies and robust layers of harmless rain clouds all combine to make this one of the most beautiful flying seasons there is.

To celebrate Autumn, we’ve sought out some great destinations from which to launch your leaf-peeking excursion. While most people think of New England when they think of fall, we’ve managed to put together a list of excellent leaf-peeking spots all over the country. So no matter where you live, you’ll find a place to enjoy the cozy comforts of Autumn somewhere close by.

We’ve also found a few new voices among our readers who have agreed to share their talents with us. In this issue we feature an excerpt from Geezer And The Kid, a book by Author Ron Irwin that recounts the adventures he and his daughter had while traveling the Southwest in a Cessna Cardinal.

Pilot Claude Blackburn, who flies a Diamond TwinStar, has contributed his humorous preflight “Passenger Briefing,” which includes all of the things we think of saying—but seldom do—during a preflight passenger briefing.

And then our resident Chief Instructor Richard Orentzel takes us through the dilemma of failing a check ride. It’s not as rare as you think. So while you plan and study to try to keep it from happening, keep in mind that if you do fail a check ride, you’re in good company.

For those of you heading to AOPA Expo in Hartford this October, be sure and stop by the Columbia booth, where you can have your photograph appear on a souvenir cover of this magazine as Pilot of The Year. The photos are free, compliments of Columbia Aircraft, so be sure to stop by and and get yours.

And finally, our annual reader survey is coming to a close. If you haven’t taken it, be sure to stop by our Web site and do so this month. You’ll automatically be entered to win one of three fabulous prizes, including a SkyOx portable oxygen system, a Lowrance 600C GPS, or the grand prize, a weekend for two at the Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island, WA.

It’s a great time of the year for flying, so get out there and enjoy Autumn!

Sean Fulton		Joanne Persico