My dog Cosmo has nearly as many flight hours as I do. Here are a few cool (and not-so-cool) products I have found over the years for pilots who like to fly with their pets. Please comment if you have more recommendations!

Mutt Muffs - honestly, these are more cute than they are functional. I bought a set long ago, and it was fun to put them on Cosmo for his walk through the FBO (lots of “aaaaws”), but realistically he just wouldn’t abide with wearing them on a three-hour flight. (Cosmo is nearly 100% deaf now, which I suppose could be attributed to his time in the cockpit. I now wish I had pressed the issue with him!).

Poor Woody.

“Homemade” Mutt Muffs –  John Kounis of Pilot Getaways magazine has fashioned his own version of Mutt Muffs out of knee pads, foam, and Velcro for his dog Woody. The photo really says it all. (More photos of Woody by Jessica Ambats can be found here: http://bit.ly/eTrgN).

Dogs need O2, too!

Oxygen Hood for Dogs (by 4Paws) – I ran into this at this year’s Airventure in Oshkosh. Great idea, I guess… I wonder how many they have sold?

Dog blanket – you gotta have this to protect the seat from accidents (and drool.) Here’s a cute one from Oh My Dog Supplies.

Good dog!

Struggling to find the perfect birthday gift?  Special anniversary coming up?  Share an experience you’ll neither soon forget.

A twilight skyline tour of Chicago is the perfect way to dazzle your loved one.  Together you’ll embark on a journey to three thousand feet, where you’ll see a sunset over the Windy City like you’ve never seen before.

The evening doesn’t end when you touch down at Midway.  You’re off to Little Italy for a multi-course meal at Francesca’s on Taylor.  And from now until October 30, take advantage of our special offer; treat yourselves to a glass of wine on us.

Flightseeing package includes airplane rental, flight instructor and dinner for two.

http://aviationvacations.us/flightseeing

Offer ends 10/30/09.

I recently joined the 99s – an international organization of women pilots that was started back in 1929 — and last weekend I found myself at my first get-together with the group: the Chicago Area Chapter 61st Annual Air Meet. (Yes, you read that right: they’ve been doing this air meet for SIXTY-ONE years. Some of the ladies in the chapter are celebrating 50 years in the organization!)

It’s kind of pathetic to DRIVE to a fly-in (I couldn’t get a plane), but at least the roads were smooth sailing from Chicago to Dekalb.  When I got to the airport, several pilots were busy planning their flights for the air derby, a three-leg cross country trek that has nothing to do with speed and everything to do with accuracy… to win, the pilot must accurately plan and predict fuel usage and time en route. Congrats to Joan Kerwin and her son for their first place finish (”They always win,” I was told).

(Almost) on the line.

I volunteered to judge the Spot Landing contest, which, ahem, is evidently harder than it looks. No one actually hit the line, but the winner, Maggie Donovan, was within 66 feet — and it was a pretty landing at that. Congrats!

Even though I was “grounded,”  a day spent at a beautiful airport on a beautiful day is always a good time, and I had a great day with some very, very nice people.  To learn more about this organization –which sponsors scholarships and provides a network for woman in aviation —  check out their website at www.ninety-nines.org.