What's Up!?

Let’s start with some thing really nice, again!

July has passed and the sound of fireworks has ceased, but the lingering aroma of dirty diapers is still wafting around my home and office. It takes a little getting use to, but in the end (no pun intended), it was worth it. Two glorious weeks of unanswerable questions, bibs, pacifiers and a mountain of dirty formula bottles and fingerprints on my glasses; this would be the joy of grandparenting. And to think I thought maintenance hangars were dirty… no more.

It’s about time!

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the following article and these amazing women.  As a very young WWII observer (I had a medical deferment; seems I had a severe case of diaper rash), as I was saying… I was very much aware of these amazing and unappreciated heroes. I met some back then, and have met a few in the past decade.

I’d like to offer my salute to all of you who are still with us and to those who have taken their final flights: thank you!

“WASP pilot receives congressional medal:
 Pilot June Drew received a congressional medal for her accomplishment as one of the first women to fly a U.S. military aircraft. Drew, who earned her pilot’s license in 1940, joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots and flew noncombat missions. ‘I didn’t do anything I didn’t love to do, which is to fly,’ said Drew, 89.” Times-Georgian (Carrollton, Ga.)

Lightening Never Strikes Twice, or does it?

So I’m sitting under a shade tent in our little dusty courtyard partaking in the monthly barbeque. There are 20 or so aviation buffs milling around and I’m stuffing my face with chips and a hamburger, chased by a less than stellar hot dog. 

I should have known better… I have learned at events like this I will get semi-attacked for something I wrote or something I didn’t write. My regular response is usually, “Wow!  What a great idea. Drop me an email so I won’t forget your idea.” Then I get these “swear-on-a-bible promises” that it will be done right away.  Of course I’m still waiting for those emails, which is why I carry my little note pads around with me so I can scribble these gems down for future use.

So here’s the scoop on this cerebral gem: seems that a student “pile up” was going for his check ride.  Having fallen victim to a CFI “oops,” he had never flown with more than two passengers, the CFI himself and the lord of his checkbook.  He climbs into his “7,000-hour-plus rental,” takes a deep breath when out of the blue – make that out on the ramp ¬– one of our friends from FaFa knocks on his logbook and door and says (drum roll), “I’m going to jump in the back trash seat and observe your check ride.” (Oxygen please!)

So that’s lightening strike one. He’s never met anyone from “Our Lady of FaFa” and he’s never seen a butt in back. (Should that be butt head, naaaah, and it won’t help this story). I guess you know what’s coming; he blows the ride. First he became a Valium candidate when he saw his passenger’s badge, and then he realized he was now flying a different airplane. It weighs more, flies differently, and he needs to hit the potty really quick.

Ready? Here comes lightening strike two:  After Student Pilot No Class recovers from his previous trauma and still having not having received any “full airplane” instruction from his trusted CFI, he schedules another check ride. 

Don’t get ahead of me… here comes the recipe for Lightening Strike Two: Take one airfield with at least one runway and mix it with a little wind.  Release your 7000-hour rental from its shackles, walk around it and count the wings and wheels, add some homogenized oil known to some as Avgas, take one last glance at your passenger, open the door on your side again and climb in. So far so good! Oh darn! Remember that lightening I was talking about? Yep, here it comes again: Same poor student, same CFI, different Badge Dude. He has the same reason for getting into the 7,000 rental, and the same terrified emotional wreck student hero realizes that lightening can stick twice.  This is better than a “No Hitter”.

Here’s my final words to you wanna-bees on this subject, ignore the distractions.  Get some time with a full airplane including your instructor, and now you’re ready to join us in the friendly skies and you’ll be ready for any FaFa surprises.

Unofficial NOTAM:  If you are in or around the Bay Area and PAO on 9/11, mark your calendar to stop in and say hi. We will be holding our annual APD, (Airport Day 2010) and you are invited.  This is a great chance for me to meet and greet many of you and I would love to have you join us and bring a lot of friends.  As one always says, we’re freeway close, free admission, and lots to do, plus airplane rides for the kids and lots of different food for you and me.

The “Really” Big Show and EAA Fly In

By now you have joined the EAA “Yacht Club and Marina.”  As the water receded an airport rose from the muck, steamed Brats were being devoured, and all those diverted aircraft were called in to join the big party.  I was drawn to the Gooney Birds and word of a new president to lead the EAA.  Thanks and good luck to all of you. 

Something New To Me

So I get this call from a really sweet gentleman telling me he’s with the Aviation High School in Oakland, Calif.  Wow, a high school for aviation devotees. I’ll admit, I knew nothing about his school but I have since found they are taking off all over the country.  I will be meeting with this hopefully new friend and learn more about what they do and then I’ll share the wealth.  If you have one of these institutions in your area, please let me know, I love the whole concept.

August

This is really a great month.  Terrific flying weather, great places to fly, and my Mother turns 90. Yep, heck, take a moment and think about all the things that have happened during the past 90 years.  I think it would be great fun to sit around someone’s hangar and just talk about all the things you can remember that have changed the world we live in and surely aviation would top the list.

I’d better mention that my BFFL (best friend for life) also has a B-Day, I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, marry your BFFL and life will be good.  If you don’t, the hill can get steeper and steeper.

Looking Back

As I look back over the last 25 years I take great pride in seeing the student pilots I worked with. The young and senior pilots I helped get cleared for take off. What I get the most joy from are the clients and friends that have moved up in their aircraft ownership because of their family growth. They have gone from single to married.  They have children and need more seats. The kids get bigger and the family needs more room and power. This is truly a joy for me personally and I love having grown up with many of you.

Final Approach

I’ve been observing the flights in and out of our airport and really enjoy seeing the college visitation trips depart and the dorm room goodies being loaded in the family steed for that gut wrenching trip when the parents realized that they are no longer PICs (parents in command). 

Your dependants are now on their own and you can only hope you did your job right.  This is the hardest part; letting go! If they fall down they have to pick themselves up without your hand there. They will discover all the things that will make them vomit, cry, and miss mommy and daddy. Suck it up parents, they will survive, and so will you.

My heart and prayers go out to you all and I wish you good luck, lots of emails, text messages, and Starbucks.  There is a really appropriate song you should learn: “We will survive.”

The Troops! ! !

Keep them in your minds and hearts; let’s get these heroes home and home soon!

“Over”