Message from the Immediate Past President

Wow! What an outstanding annual meeting we had this year in Cleveland. While the airports may not have rolled out the red carpet, everything else about the meeting more than made up for it. The Hotel Cleveland staff were warm, enthusiastic, and incredibly helpful. The presentations were exceptional, thanks to Program Chairman Andrew Skattum, who curated a first-rate schedule.

One of the hallmarks of our annual meetings is the camaraderie among members, and this year’s activities truly amplified that spirit. Saturday kicked off with a three-hour bus tour of Cleveland for the Right Front Seaters, complete with unexpected and fascinating highlights about the city. The group then joined the physicians for lunch at a local brewery followed by an unforgettable hands-on glassblowing session.

Sunday’s highlight was a nostalgic evening reminiscent of high school days—a private dinner at The Corner Alley. We had exclusive access to four bowling lanes, delicious food, and our own bartender. The friendly competition (and strikes!) made for a lively and memorable night. Who knew we had such good bowlers in our group?!

Monday was the grand finale. We enjoyed a fascinating luncheon lecture on women in aviation and space travel at the International Women’s Air & Space Museum, followed by a short walk to the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The exhibits and memorabilia were truly a treat for music lovers.

All in all, the 2025 meeting was a wonderful mix of education, fellowship, and fun—an experience that left everyone inspired and connected. We can’t wait for the next annual meeting in South Dakota. How much do you know about South Dakota? Join us there and find out!

Thank you to the membership for giving me the honor and privilege of serving as your president—it has truly been a rewarding experience.

Barry Knotts, MD

FPA President 2024-2025

2025 Annual Meeting Recap

Scientific & Aviation Program Summary
June 13–17, 2025 | Cleveland, Ohio
Program Director: Andrew Skattum, DO
CME Chair: John Mulvey, MD

The 2025 Scientific and Aviation Program at the Flying Physicians Association Annual Meeting offered a powerful blend of education, inspiration, and professional connection. Held in the vibrant city of Cleveland, Ohio, the program spanned three intensive mornings of lectures (June 14–16) and brought together a nationally recognized faculty of physicians, aviation safety experts, and thought leaders.

With topics ranging from clinical innovation and patient safety to human factors in aviation and the evolving frontier of spaceflight regulation, the program reflected the FPA's mission to support the dual calling of physician-pilots. Attendees engaged in high-level discussions, earned CME credits, and left the sessions with actionable insights that enriched both their medical practice and aviation endeavors.

Set in the historic Tiffany Glass Space—steps from Hotel Cleveland—the program was bookended by evening social events, museum visits, and shared meals that fostered camaraderie and lifelong professional relationships. From case-based learning and data-driven updates to personal stories of resilience and decision-making in the cockpit, each session added to the holistic experience of learning, reflection, and reconnection.

Scientific & Aviation Program Highlights
Saturday, June 14
The opening day set a strong tone with sessions that balanced current medical science and aviation insight. Dr. Barry Knotts welcomed attendees, followed by a clinical update on menopause by Dr. Russell Stankiewicz and a wellness-focused presentation by Dr. Lauren Skattum. Bruce Landsberg challenged conventional thinking in aviation safety with a contrarian perspective, while Dr. Victor Vogel and Dr. Marvin Jackson addressed pilot judgment and the complexities of neurosurgical considerations in FAA certification.

Sunday, June 15
Sunday’s programming explored the intersection of technology, healthcare delivery, and regulation. Dr. Eric Fine offered dual lectures—one on artificial intelligence in medicine and another on direct primary care models. Economic perspectives were brought in by CFP Chip May, and Dr. Dwight Holland delivered a comprehensive (and humor-filled) breakdown of commercial spaceflight regulations. Dr. John Mulvey closed the morning with a grounded and personal review of diabetes progression in clinical practice.

Monday, June 16
The final day of lectures featured a diverse mix of clinical content and surgical insight. Dr. David Norris addressed the deeper meaning of patient satisfaction. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Gregory Rushing, trauma surgeon Dr. Olatoye Olutola, and transfusion expert Dr. Andrew Loudon presented case-based and technical updates. Dr. Matthew Moorman concluded the program with a thoughtful talk on the limitations and power of checklists in medicine and surgery.

CME & Accreditation Summary
• Most sessions were eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, supporting ongoing physician certification.
• Non-CME presentations were clearly identified, including aviation and regulatory sessions.
• Digital CME certificates were issued following the event.

Reflections & Appreciation
The 2025 program exemplified what the Flying Physicians Association does best: blending medicine, aviation, science, and community in a format that is both rigorous and deeply human. With a diverse and curious membership, the conference was more than an academic exercise—it was a celebration of professional purpose and shared passion for flight and healing.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all our outstanding speakers for their time, expertise, and dedication—and to every attendee whose ongoing participation and enthusiasm continue to make the Scientific Program a resounding success year after year. Your commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in both medicine and aviation is the foundation of what makes FPA truly exceptional.

Annual Meeting Awards
The 2025 Tabari Award, given for excellence in presentation and content by a member, went to Dwight Holland, MD, PhD

The 2025 Alice Henderson Award, given for excellence in presentation and content by a non-member, went to Gregory Rushing, MD

Andrew Skattum, MD
2025 Program Chairman
2025-2026 FPA President

2025 Aviation Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Sanjna Das, a 3rd year medical student at the Long School of Medicine (UT Health San Antonio), for being awarded the 2025 Annual Aviation Scholarship!

Sanjna’s aviation journey began in 2022 at the Hanscom Aero Club in Bedford, MA—one of the few remaining Aero Clubs in the country. Since starting medical school, she has earned her Private Pilot License and instrument rating and is currently completing her commercial certificate.

We applaud her dedication to both medicine and aviation!

Bylaws Changes

The Bylaws Committee made a thorough review of bylaws to match current practice. The biggest changes came as result of Winter Board Meeting decisions. All bylaws changes will be sent to the FPA membership, with online voting to take place after 45 days to make the changes official. The biggest changes include:

- Made all chapter names uniform / regional. Changed Great Lakes to Midwest Chapter and Dixie to Southeast Chapter

- Removed Publications & Awards Committee as standing committees (Annual Awards will be voted on by Nominating Committee) 

Future Outlook of FPA

It seems the FPA is a bit of a secret these days, with membership and meeting attendance falling over the last several years. We are working with an online marketing platform, Feathr, for digital campaigns including digital ads targeting online profiles, email campaigns and geofencing to increase the general awareness of the FPA, which should eventually lead to more members and higher meeting attendance.

Our goal over the next couple of years is to increase our membership engagement. We are encouraging each chapter to host a chapter zoom happy hour and plan an informal flyout in the fall. The Winter Board Meeting (an event open to all members, not just the leadership) will take place January 23-25, 2026, in Orlando, FL. The 2026 Annual Meeting will take place June 5-9, 2026, in Rapid City, SD. We also plan to host a CME event at the 2026 AIRVENTURE in Oshkosh next July.

2025–2026 FPA Leadership

Officers
President: Andrew Skattum, DO – Sioux Falls, SD
Immediate Past President: F. Barry Knotts, MD – Port Orange, FL
President-Elect: Denise M. Kenna, MD (2025) – Lebanon, PA
Secretary: James R. Elliott, MD – Denton, TX
Treasurer: Joseph R. “Randy” Edwards, MD – Las Vegas, NV

Chapter Vice Presidents
Southeast (formerly Dixie): Christopher Nagle, MD – Warrenton, VA
Midwest (formerly Great Lakes): Bruce A. Kaufman, MD – Milwaukee, WI
Northeast: Vacant
Southwest: James R. Elliott, MD – Denton, TX
Western: Vacant

Chapter Representatives
Southeast: Frank W. Browning, MD (2026) – Port Orange, FL
Southeast: W. Kenneth Austin, MD (2027) – Jasper, GA
Midwest: Mark J. Ptacek, MD (2027) – Spearfish, SD
Northeast: Russell J. Stankiewicz, MD (2028) – Lewisburg, PA
Southwest: John D. Davis, MD (2028) – Hunt, TX
Western: Michael Lam, MD (2028) – Los Altos Hills, CA

Committee Chairs
Bylaws: Albert B. Briccetti, MD
CME: John R. Mulvey, MD
Executive: Andrew Skattum, MD
External Relations: Felix R. Tormes, MD
Finance: J. Randall Edwards, MD
Human Factors / Safety Education: James R. Elliott, MD
Membership: Vacant
Nominating: Michael Boyer, MD
Samaritan Service: John Kihm, MD

In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of two beloved members of the Flying Physicians Association, Dr. George Shehl, Jr. and Dr. Mo Nazeeri.

George Shehl, Jr., a past president of FPA, passed away on July 1, 2025. 
Read full obituary

Mo Nazeeri, a former FPA leader, died in a plane crash on July 20, 2025.

Read full obituary

We encourage all members to take a moment to remember George and Mo, and the many ways they contributed to our FPA Family.

Reflections from Longtime Member Jeff Justis

In 1957, at just 24 years old, I joined the Flying Physicians Association and became the organization’s youngest member. Now, nearly seven decades later, I find myself among the oldest in the tenth decade—and still filled with admiration for this group of physicians and honorary members who have been such an important part of my life.

The FPA has given me the incentive—and my airplanes the means—to travel to remarkable places over the years: Phoenix, Vancouver, Quebec, St. Johns, San Diego, Alaska, the Dominican Republic, Toronto… so many destinations, friends, and memories.

When our children were young, we squeezed into a Piper Apache modified with six seats (and paper sacks for baggage!) and especially enjoyed the resort destinations chosen for our meetings.

But time changes capabilities. I’ve started noticing the “little things”:

• Did I taxi past a hold-short instruction?
• Did I take off without switching to the fullest tank?
• Did I get confused programming the EFB in flight?
• Did I really taxi into a golf cart? The ding in the wing tip says yes.

Thankfully, I still fly our RV-10—though now with my son, Jeff R., riding in the right seat and alternating legs with me. I hope the younger generation of physician-pilots continues to support the FPA, as it has meant the world to me.

Article from Lifetime Member Robert C. Thompson

The Relationship of Purpose: Minimum Sink Airspeed, Best Glide Airspeed, and Most Economical Airspeed

For powered small airplanes, I set out to find a relationship (if any) between the speeds for:

• Minimum sink (maximum time in the air)
• Best glide (maximum distance gliding)
• Most efficient airspeed (maximum distance per gallon)

I’ve had occasion in a powered aircraft to use the minimum sink rate—most notably while waiting for personnel to clear the runway from a previous accident, with questionable fuel reserves and a headwind en route to another field. I didn’t have the figure available. That bugged me.

Case I – Best Glide Airspeed Known

Best glide occurs when drag is minimized. The drag equation takes the form:
D = F(V² + 1/V²), where F contains constant factors.

Minimum sink is achieved by minimizing D * V:
D * V = V³ + 1/V

Taking the derivative:
d(D * V) / dV = 3V² - 1/V²

Setting this to zero for minimum:
0 = 3V² - 1/V² → V⁴ = 1/3 → V = (1/3)¼ ≈ 0.76

Result: Minimum sink speed is ~76% of best glide speed.

Case II – Best Glide Unknown

If the best glide speed is not known or unreliable, flight test in slow flight to determine the minimum sink airspeed. Multiply that speed by 1.316 (1 / 0.76) to estimate best glide speed.

Case III – Most Efficient (Miles per Gallon)

Maximum fuel efficiency occurs at best glide speed × 1.316. This aligns with research by Carlson (1980).

Key takeaway: The factor (1/3)^¼ ≈ 0.76 links all three critical airspeeds.

Reference:
Carson, B.H., “Fuel Efficiency of Small Aircraft”, AIAA-80-1847, AIAA Aircraft Systems Meeting, August 4–6, 1980, Anaheim, California

Printable PDF Version

Click here to download the printable version of the full newsletter.