About Pilot Getaways Magazine

Are you looking for fun and adventure in aviation?

Who Are We?

George A. Kounis, pictured at right, is the publisher of Pilot Getaways magazine. An accomplished air-to-air photographer, he shoots most of Pilot Getaways’ aerial photographs, including all but three Pilot Getaways covers. George plays a key role in representation of the images and technical graphics in the magazine. Having traveled to 40 of the United States and 30 foreign countries, much of it in a small aircraft, George is an avid traveler and is well versed into the needs of fellow travelers. George started his private pilot training in 1995, and his experience allows him to contribute to the final editing of articles published in Pilot Getaways magazine. He has further background in engineering, with a degree in Computer Science from UCLA. Immediately before starting the magazine, he was employed by a software development company and was involved with the launch of one of the first Internet online home banking companies. George is skilled in new technologies including computers, digital photography, and the Internet.

John T. Kounis, pictured above at left, is the editor of Pilot Getaways magazine and is recognized as an expert in recreational destinations for private pilots. An avid pilot, he has amassed more than 3,600 flight hours over the last 20 years, visiting more than 40 countries from Zimbabwe to Norway and Canada. Today, he continues to criss-cross the country in search of exciting destinations. In addition to flying 90% of the photo missions for Pilot Getaways, he is responsible for all magazine content and frequently gives speeches about the best fly-in destinations. Drawing on his experience in mountain flying, international operations, over-water procedures, long distance navigation, and a number of other techniques, he researches destinations and participates in resource management for the Pilot Getaways staff, including determination of feature locations and schedules. An experienced traveler, John speaks English, German, Greek, and some French; he has also had limited training in Japanese, Spanish, and Italian. Prior to entering the publishing world, John was employed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working on a variety of projects, most recently as lead system engineer for a component of the Cassini Spacecraft Ground Data System. The spacecraft made a successful rendezvous with Saturn in July 2004.

Rick Vachon is the Advertising Director of Pilot Getaways magazine. In 1992, he designed a Signaling Emergency Aerial Locator (S.E.A.L.), a specialized aerial reflector with high optical density for enhancing the position of downed aircrews or marine personnel. Once launched, the reflector has a line of sight of 18 miles in daylight and six miles in moonlight, and can be picked up by military radar at much greater distances. In addition, it has excellent forward looking infrared (FLIR) signature for search aircraft. Sometimes simple is difficult - this was a straightforward idea which took six years of research and development. Rick created an assembly process, held survival seminars, and sold the product to both civilian and military pilots. This venture refined his sales and marketing skills, and after advertising his product in Pilot Getaways magazine, he joined the team in 2000. Rick is a private pilot, with time in light singles. Accompanying John and George from Los Angeles to Oshkosh in 2003 was his longest cross-country trip. Flying through the mountains in the Cessna 185 has proven to be the biggest flying thrill yet. He is currently working on his instrument rating. An avid golfer and hunter, Rick lives in Chatham, Massachusetts with Joanne, his wife and best friend. His pride and joys are his "cupcakes," seven bubbly and energetic grandchildren.

Woody is John's yellow Labrador Retriever. He loves to fly and travels on almost all of Pilot Getaways' photo shoots. View Woody's adventures here.