Jamie Beckett’s Politics for Pilots column debuted in the March 9, 2010, print edition of General Aviation News.
If you care to see it for yourself, click here, then scroll to Page 10.
I’m sure Jamie will get a kick out of the photo we used.
At any rate, Jamie’s last column, “The Big Wrap Up,” posted online Sept. 29, 2026.
I don’t wish to regurgitate Jamie’s words here, but I do recall the golf cart ride he refers to in his opening sentence.
The event was SUN ‘n FUN. The golf cart was courtesy of our role producing SUN ‘n FUN Today, the fly-in’s daily newspaper.
We ogled airplanes, got to know one another, and enjoyed the day.
How could we not? We had airplanes in every direction, warm, sunny weather, and a golf cart to make transport a snap.
I’ll miss seeing his column for selfish reasons. I enjoy his writing style. I like his energy. I like his perspective.
But I have a feeling Jamie won’t get too far away.
Not long after submitting his last column, he reached out asking if we’d be interested in a write-up of Peter Bowers new book, Reality Does Not Negotiate.
Suffice it to say, we are interested.
With that, be forewarned, Jamie may pop onto our pages (digital and print) from time to time, in the future.
Jamie, it has been a pleasure.
Thank you Jeff
Back in 2013, we migrated our aviation event calendar from our self-hosted and managed database of events to a newly created online database built and maintained by Jeff Simon. He named his creation SocialFlight.
How very appropriate.
And for the 13 years since, Jeff has faithfully supplied aviation event information to our readers via our website and the print edition.
I have no doubt we’ve played a part in hundreds, if not thousands, of journeys to aviation events of all kinds all across the country.
Thank you Jeff.
I’m proud to have been part of the SocialFlight journey.
Welcome aboard Nick
But, as the saying goes, the only constant in life is change.
Over the last several months, I’ve gotten to know a young man by the name of Nick Tsang. He’s built an aviation marketplace named Skyfarer.
Initially focused on the flight training segment of aviation, Skyfarer continues to expand its offerings. One of those offerings is an event calendar.
And just like being part of the early days of SocialFlight, I feel called to be part of Nick’s nascent aviation event calendar at Skyfarer.
New in the Oct. 22, 2026, print edition of General Aviation News the event listings is populated by Skyfarer. On that same date, we will update the Events page on our website to a Skyfarer-powered widget.
Thank you. Onward.
Thank you Jamie, Jeff, and Nick. I appreciate you all.
And thank you dear reader and subscriber. You are what makes this all possible. Without you, there would be no General Aviation News.
And last, but not least, thank you to our advertisers. It is the audience and our content that entice you to be a part of the conversation.
It works when all of us pull together.
I must be getting sentimental as I age.
There are worse traits, I suppose.
Anyway, onward.
I look forward to watching for Jamie articles now and then. 😊 He’s a gem and the aviation community is lucky to have him.
With Jamie cutting back in here I discovered a couple of books he’s written and in an effort to get a bit more Beckett I’m enjoying those. Finished “Burritos and Gasoline” about 0100 this morning. Off to find the others. The irony of reading the beginning of this one on the flight to New England and immediately driving the rental car right smack through the realestate where the book begins wasn’t lost on me LOL. They read well. Perseverāre my friend
A fine farewell. Thank you, Ben. It’s been quite a ride.
Nice thoughts, Ben. And not at all sentimental, but an expression of one’s humanity and concern for his fellow man, what sets GAN apart from all the others. I would suggest you seek a roving reporter here in the Southeast, where there are so many sport aviation activities and neat companies. And someone younger than us old guys!