The airfield where the 1st Georgia Air Squadron ("The Winged Knights") hang their hats was witness to a round of lively cussin' and discussin' this week. The source of the ruckus was the unsuccessful attempt of pilot Sissy "Dizzy" Jones to break the standing international record for most consecutive loops in an aircraft, set in 1930 by Laura H. Ingalls: 980 consecutive loops.

While I get dizzy just thinking about it, apparently that's never been a problem for "Dizzy" Jones, whose own love of the maneuver is well known, as you can tell by her moniker. "I love the feeling of being shoved down into my seat by the force of the turn, then the relief of coming over the top and feeling that tension release. What a ride!"

Unfortunately, Dizzy's Bell Valiant Mk. II developed engine trouble which forced her to abandon her attempt after a staggering, yet insufficient, 642 loops. She landed safely, but not happily.

Dizzy has only been a member of the Winged Knights for eighteen months. She was recruited by Confederate Ace Beauregard "Rapier" Travis in his (widely criticized) attempt to integrate the unit. Nobody can argue with success though—Dizzy is just one kill shy of becoming an ace in her own right, and is well known for her deft handling of the Valiant in combat. The pairing seems appropriate: the Valiant is widely underestimated because it's small and doesn't look like it can hit very hard—a description that could easily be applied to the diminutive Dizzy herself. Standing only 5'2", she almost seems like she might get lost in the spacious cockpit, but as with the Valiant, Dizzy makes those who underestimate her in the air sorely regret it.

"I'll try again eventually," said Dizzy after landing. "I've got to get back to work for a while first, though. This sort of funnin' around has to come second to real patrolin'."

We wish her luck. If anyone deserves to be the next record holder, it's a lady named "Dizzy."

—Jackson Lewis, Atlanta correspondent