A photographer from a well-known national magazine was assigned
to cover the 2003 Southern California fires. The magazine wanted to
show some of the heroic work of the firefighters as they battled the
blazes.  When the photographer arrived, he realized that the smoke
was so thick that it would seriously impede or make it impossible for
him to photograph anything from ground-level.  So he requested
permission to rent a plane and take photos from the air.

His request was approved, and arrangements were made. He was
told to report to a nearby airport, where a single-engine plane would
be waiting for him.  He arrived at the airport and saw a plane warming
up near the gate. He jumped in with his bag and shouted, "Let's go!"

The pilot swung the plane into the wind, and within minutes they were
in the air.

The photographer said, "Fly over the park and make two or three low
passes so I can take some pictures."

"Why?" asked the pilot.

"Because I am a photographer for a national magazine," he responded,
"and I need some close-up shots."

The pilot was silent for a moment; finally he stammered, "So, you're
telling me you're not the flight instructor?"