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JET DREAMS JESSICA AMBATS

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@ 2021 Jessica Ambats All photographs @ 2021 Jessica Ambats (jessicaambats.com) All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Design and layout by M.J. Jacobs, LLC – Grand Rapids, MI Printed in PRC on FSC-certified paper ISBN 978-1-7375964-0-0

For my daughter, Ella. You dream it, you can do it. I love you.



THE FLIGHT PLAN 22 THE TURBULENCE 68 THE LOGBOOK 112 THE LANDING 154

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FOREWORD Formation flying is a very risky business and there are few people that I will entrust my life with. No stone can be left unturned to mitigate every single risk. By collaborating, communicating clearly and flying reverently, you can create magic in the sky. Jessica’s fierce determination compels her to strive for excellence in execution with everything she does; whether it’s being a photographer, pilot, mother or just a friend. I’ve had the honor of participating on many of Jessica’s photo flights and I believe that every aircraft owner featured in this book shares the same determination and passion. Aviators are on an everlasting journey to inspire through the metaphor of flight. We are a special group of human beings that look at the world through a different lens. Thanks to Jessica’s brilliant artistry, Jet Dreams captures what we see. SEAN D. TUCKER 11

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INTRODUCTION An airplane doesn’t care who you are. It doesn’t care where well-flown approach. Each photo in this book represents the you’re from or what you’ve done. In the sky, what matters is culmination of a dream-come-true story. what you do in each moment. What movement you make with the yoke. What pressure you apply on the rudder pedals. What It may seem like they’ve done it all, but our air-to-air photo power you set with the thrust levers. flights are often their first introduction to formation flying. This can be as daunting for them as it is exciting, and my But behind each flight is a story. An intriguing story of hard team is there to lead the way, putting safety first. In the air, work and achievement that started with a dream. our formation is the ultimate expression of teamwork. It’s an experience that stays with you, and I’m always grateful for the When they were kids, the owner-pilots featured in this book opportunity to share it. dreamed of flying. They looked up to the sky each time an airplane passed over. Today, they are entrepreneurs, industry Air-to-air photography has provided our photo team with leaders and CEOs. Determined, persistent and sometimes just unforgettable experiences in extraordinary places. One that lucky. And they now fly their own jet. Each time they take off, stands out and simply screams “Jet Dreams” is the Refuge the little kid inside them cheers, “Yes!” Jet Dreams is about AirRanch in Wyoming. This residential fly-in community merges that kid. aviation camaraderie with the great outdoors on a level that has to be seen to be believed. As you turn the pages, you’ll discover It’s always a special experience to photograph and spend time with just what a gem the Refuge is. such accomplished individuals. They’ve plotted their own flight plans. They’ve endured turbulence while outclimbing storms to With this book I hope you find inspiration from the photos, blue skies on top. They’ve filled logbooks with incredible journeys. advice, accomplishments and lessons learned in making dreams And they’ve savored the sweetness of a smooth landing from a come true. Now, your dream is cleared for takeoff. JESSICA AMBATS 15









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A person who has the desire and determination to gain a pilot’s license is an interesting person almost by definition. That person has dreamed, and that person has dedication and discipline. That person made a commitment and then gets to see and enjoy the world through a different lens – one that widens the aperture of their life. STEVEN C. FUNK 21



THE FLIGHT PLAN

My first memory is flying a glider with my father as he was making loops and rolls. I must have been four or five, and I still live that moment vividly in my mind. It was magical. The feeling will be with me as long as I live. HUMBERTO LOBO 24

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I have a scrapbook of my early years that my mother compiled, and seven of my first ten words were either airplanes or cars. As I got older, I moved on to building stick-and-tissue free-flight models, primitive radio control airplanes, early electric airplanes, and finally I took full- size sailplane lessons. ADAM GROSSER 30



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I have a photo of three-year-old me hugging a helicopter at an airshow. Later, during my college years I dreamed of flying more seriously. But in those days, females weren’t directed toward such professions. In fact, I did a career survey and tested strong in military, technical and stewardess categories, but there wasn’t even an option to select pilot as a career. So, flying was a later-in-life but life-changing event for me that I fully embraced from my first flight in command. NANCY AUTH 36

When I was ten years old I was fortunate to go for a flight during which I was allowed to ride as “co-pilot.” The pilot let me fly the airplane! But looking back, I realize it was on autopilot the whole time. CHRIS CAFFEY 37

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When I was a kid, I was inspired looking at all of the fighters flying around. Flash forward and I have done more than 85 Atlantic Ocean crossings in my jets. It’s a fantastic feeling. JØRGEN ANDERSEN 40

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My inspiration to fly came from the Apollo space program. As a kid I would literally sit in a cardboard box during their missions to simulate my own spacecraft experience. JIM KEYES Years ago, a friend took me up in his well-worn Cessna 150. It was a glorious crystal-clear day, and the perspective of the sparkling sea from above prompted me to ask, “If he can do it, why can’t I?” MARY COMPTON In high school I worked at a hobby shop building radio-controlled model airplanes. The field where we flew the models was next to an airport and we saw airplanes flying over all the time. I would look up and dream. One day while driving to work, I saw a Stearman biplane at a grass strip. I drove in to see if I could get a closer look and saw a sign next to the Stearman that read “Rides, five dollars.” I immediately took a ride and loved it. I began flight lessons and received my pilot’s license just after my 18th birthday as a high school senior. R AYMOND J. BAILE Y 42

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One summer day, I was hiking and we stopped for lunch near a mountaintop. A beautiful sailplane soared by, below us! It flew just above the treetops, riding the air pushed up by the ridge. So quiet – you could hear the wind rushing over its wings. It was one of the most stunning sights I’d ever seen. The next morning, I took my first glider lesson at a nearby airport. RON GRUNER 44

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As a child I used to go to the local airport to watch planes fly. My aspirations of being a Navy pilot were dashed by my poor vision. I put flying in the back of my mind, but later as a medical intern, I started thinking of it again. During my residency, I took flight lessons. A Cessna 172 rented for ten dollars per hour and I had enough for one hour per week. My examiner was kind enough to allow me to take my checkride on my 40th hour, the minimum number of hours required. HOWARD TOBIN 50