What's Up!? - February 2011
Bucket Heads VS. More Common Sense/Cents
By Larry Shapiro
I remember back in the days when you could legally ride a motorcycle without being required to wear a helmet for fear of getting stopped by the local legal pistol packers. Back then it wasn’t required and a really cheap date was to sit in the ER of your local hospital and watch them bring in the left over body parts from motorcycle mishaps.
I learned then why motorcycles were called “donor” cycles. It was not a pretty picture and a few bucks could have made a difference and maybe saved a life or two and tons of medical bills.
I only learned this because I was dating an ER doc and I’d pop in now and then to visit her at work and that’s when I really starting thinking about this. There were times I rode my bike without wearing my helmet, but then, remember those were the old days when I was invincible.
Stay with me, I getting there. So when I got into my biking period, the ones with peddles, helmets were not required but high on the must-have list. I always laughed when those six-footers-plus, 185 pounders, riding bikes that cost more than my first car, seemed to always want to save a few bucks on their skidlids or wear none at all. Truth be known, I may have been one of them but I was shorter. Personally I thought I looked kinda cool with mine on so I wore it a little too much.
These same philosophies carried over to the bikers when the Sheriff said, no helmet, no ride your motor-rickle. I decided then if you have a ten-dollar head, then by all means put your head in a ten-dollar bucket.
You can fix anything you break in an accident except your head. I quickly changed my philosophy and decided I should have only the best brain protector sitting on top of my head. I felt that way then and still feel that way now.
Okay, we’re almost there, so what’s the point? Over kill versus common sense. Spending some serious bucks to protect your body parts makes sense. Wearing protective gear when you’re walking your dog is a little over the top. Keeping prospective in all these cases is where we need to be.
It’s interesting to see that the folks who make more money than me are now talking more about airbags for our airplanes…what I think really doesn’t matter on this one.
Here’s a “What If” question for you; What if you own a trainer class type airplane, let’s say a Cessna 150 just for fun? You’re told that airbags could be put in your airplane, not required, just suggested, and they will cost around $600 to $1,000.
You say “No!” I’ll pass, after all, I only paid $18K for it, so I’m not spending any big bucks on my little trainer, it’s fine the way it is. So we say no to something that might, again, I say might save your life and you turn it down because it costs a few bucks relative to the value of you airplane.
Okay, next scenario; trainer class airplane owner calls me and says; “Hey Lar, I’m going to put a Garmin 430 etc. in my little trainer class airplane that, you know, the one that sits outside, is used to ‘learn’ how to fly in, and after installation, will cost about a quarter of what the airplane is worth.”
While you’re at it, look into putting “Whitewall Tires” on it too.
Come on folks, use your noodles. If you are going to keep your little trainer class scooter for another ten years and want some whoop-de-do gadget, then go ahead and do it. Remember to ask yourself, should I put a $5,000 toy in my $18K airplane? Keep reminding yourself what this type airplane is for: “Learning to fly!” Even as a lease back candidate … keep it simple and that will help keep the costs down to those that need your learning-class steed.
Here’s an idea: why not spend the money on a new paint job? Now that makes sense and you’ll love the results, and it will help sell the plane when it’s time. Also, it won’t be old technology when you sell it.
Just to be fair, if you want to drop $40 to $50K in your cabin class rocket ship, then knock yourself out and enjoy it. Now that makes more sense.
Remember, you wouldn’t put a swimming pool in the backyard of your one-room apartment but you might in the backyard of your five-bedroom house on a third of an acre. (If these even exist anymore.)
Final word on this … there are just too many new toys on the market and you need to make appropriate choices when it comes to investing more bucks in your aircraft.
Centennial Emotional Moment
We were very fortunate to be part of the Navy’s 100th Anniversary Centennial this past month. We learned a lot about the Navy and heard some spectacular speakers. Historian Bill Larkins shared some amazing secret aircraft photos from the past 100 years and gave us a new prospective on our aviation community and how it was born.
Retired USS Kitty Hawk CO, Marland Townsend, took us through the evolution of the aircraft carriers. Now that was an eye opener not to be forgotten. That subject alone could have filled an entire day with at least one lunch break.
Cmdr. Neil Jennings, a retired F-18 pilot had us all glad it was about him and not about us as he followed Captain Townsend. I think we were all envious, scared, and for some reason, found ourselves laughing. Maybe it was Jennings’ presentation or just nervous laughter. Of course, it could have been the “Gee” factor.
However, during a break in the program I was introduced to a very quiet gentleman with a warm smile and gentle handshake. This hero was Col. Robert Stirm. We heard later that he has spent 5 and a half years, or if you prefer, 1900 days as a POW. There is no way I can put that into prospective to our daily lives. I don’t believe many of my readers have walked in his moccasins.
In chatting, we found he had been in solitary with Senator John McCain. Pretty good credentials for a guy just down the road.
Some of you may recall back in March 1973 when Colonel Stirm was released, Slava “Sal” Veder’s photo of his arrival at Travis AFB. There, his family met him, and the photo taken of that reunion earned a Pulitzer Prize, one of the top five ever taken.
My personal kudos to the Hiller Aviation Museum they did it again by providing the aviation community with another exciting and great educational program.
Just a reminder, this museum is located at the San Carlos Airport, (SQL) in Northern California. I mention this because you can fly in and park out side their door, have your $400 hamburger, visit a great museum, spend the night, visit San Francisco if you are a southerner, or even if you drop in from Nevada or Oregon. Stop thinking about a great place to fly to, I just gave you one.
Non Political Political Comment
I hope like myself you too took time to listen to the Presidents “State of the Union Address” last month. It’s always best for me to stay away from political subjects, mostly because I know almost nothing about politics and this is an aviation-related column. However, he did say some promising things and I especially like the idea of getting our troops home.
I keep thinking about the money currently being spent for bullets that could be directed towards our schools and teachers. That might be the avenue that eliminates wars in the future.
I end this column with “love” and hope you will share that love with the special people in your lives, don’t assume they know, and don’t take it for granted. Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!
Next month I am going to be addressing more flying health issues and a trip from the first Link Trainer Simulators to today’s state of the art mind bogglers. To make things a little more interesting I am going to offer an hour or two in the best of the best Sims available today. To get this free ride all I’ll want is a short, a very short, personal simulator experience that you can share with us.
I’ll announce the winner(s) in my March column. Obviously you must weigh more than eight ounces and orphans must have a note from their parents.
That’s Thirty!
“Over”
