Thinking over what to
write my next blog doesn’t immediately yield a topic. After all, there are only
so many subjects to consider. So I have decided just to relate one or the
other of my “flying adventures”.
One that comes to mind
goes back to my time as a second lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corps. Always
gung-ho to hop aboard any flying machine that would take me, I hitched a ride
on a small chopper I never would forget. Arriving at Felker Army Airfield on
Fort Eustis, I noted a pilot walking out to his helicopter and quickly tagged
along side. He invited me, a young gung-ho 2nd Lieutenant to hop in.
I gleefully did, sitting to the left of the pilot.Strapping in tightly, I
surveyed the open doorway a bit anxiously. No doors on either side. The seat
and shoulder belts had better be strong. They were. The engine noisily revved
up and we were shortly up and off. I remember the ride as choppy and exciting.
We cruised around at below 1000 feet
surveying the base and surroundings. All of a sudden there was a loud “pop” and
the pilot yelled into the headset “lean out and see if we are on fire”. I tried
to look around , while seated tightly down. The pilot yelled “get out and look
in back”. He was expecting me to step out on the landing structure and have a
look. No way was I about to do that. I was scared! He read my hesitance
correctly and burst out laughing. Very funny I thought. We headed back after
that, and I happily got out, never to ask another chopper pilot for a ride.
As far as aviation
accidents and mistakes go, nothing really new. Every day I read about gear up
landings, taxiing mishaps and various gear problems. The solution to many is
just proper training, maintenance and practice, practice and more practice.
So from Charleston, SC, I
wish everyone safe and happy flying.
P.S. Comments welcome!
P.S. Comments welcome!
