THE ETHOS MEETS WITH TURBULENCE

Grounded by extreme turbulence after boarding a UTA-chartered, eight-seat Beechcraft intended to convey them from Santa Monica to Coachella, Republic chief Monte Lipman and compadres pose on the runway. "Imagine dropping a Volkswagen into a washing machine," Lipman told us, recalling the experience. The passengers were duly alarmed, but the desert air is often choppy this time of year—which is why we only ever fly there on Air Azoff's G5. Where was Chopper Charlie? Stay tuned.