First Peek at a dream (meandering post)

Major Bedhead · Post by **Major Bedhead** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:55 pm

I was doing some pre IFR test work in the twin today with a student and after all the approaches at the big airport were done, I asked him to do a short field effort touch and go.

On short final I saw three folks well before the threshold to the left side watching his work.

We did the t+g and went up again this time for the full stop.

The same spectators were there on the approach and waved at us as we back taxiied to the the tie downs.

We both waved back and the youngster in the group almost broke his wrist in waving even harder.

On shutdown I could see them edging closer, but still far enough away to be unobtrusive ...

I got out with the rudder lock and cowl plugs said hello and invited the youngster to go up to see inside. The student I was flying with looked at me and I told him he knows as much as I do about the plane ...

I swear to god the mother of the little guy (8 years) thanked me about a dozen times as did the father (perhaps grandfather) ... and I was happy to answer a bunch of questions about the aircraft as I was tieing it down.

It's a wonder there wasn't blood on the face of the youngster he was grinning so wide ... his mom told me that this was a dream of his to oneday actually get into an aircraft.

I asked them to walk with us to the FBO, and on the way let the little guy get into a C150 and move the controls around and explained what all the dials were for.

After we were dpne, he went to mom, then came back to me and very earnestly put his hand out.

I shook it and told him that I hope we fly together oneday.

I understood today the expression "to grin ear to ear".

I first saw the cockpit of a B747 many years ago when I too was 9 years old coming back from the UK and was mesmerized (sp?) by both the crew and the myriad of dials and flashy things.

Granted the GA7 is a long way from the 747, but through the eyes of a child it's not as big a difference as us here understand.

My career as an instructor ends with the student I flew with today - I have finally signed paperwork for the job on the Convair.

Worth it?

Depends on what your criteria is ...

I built over eighteen hundred hours teaching, over six hundred multi and made a lot of friends and contacts in the industry.

The contacts got me the job I am about to embark upon...

The wonder and excitement I saw in the eyes of the eight year old today brought me back to why I started this whole journey and though at times it may have been hidden.

The CP looked at me strangely the first time we fired up the GTC on my side with the window open .... after calling time/rotation/gearbox/powersection/fuel flow ....

I told him I felt like a little kid and my cheeks hurt from grinning.

Looking back, I had the same expression on my face as the little guy I talked with today.

safe skies all,

P

ski_bum · Post by **ski_bum** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:14 pm

Good Post!

That is by far the biggest joy of instructing, seeing that persons face as you help make their dream come true. Makes it all worth wild.

lilfssister · Post by **lilfssister** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:34 pm

A truly nice, heartwarming post, Major.

Phlyer · Post by **Phlyer** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:51 pm

Nice post. Sometimes we all have to remember being that little kid and how much flying means.
Cheers

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:46 pm

Every summer I take a group of kids from 'Camp Cowabunga' on an airport tour out here. They all get to sit in each of our aircraft, walk on the runway, and when we were still in CYCG, we'd take them for a tour of the tower (FSS) and have the guys launch a weather balloon. Highlight of the tour was getting into the AC980 and L188 parked at the Fire Center. The camp counsellors (:shock:

btw) tell me year after year that it is the most anticipated part of these kids summers. Chances are, one or two will actually end up joining us in this crazy profession, seeing as how all of them raise their hands when I ask at the beginning of the tour "Who wants to be a pilot". Kids...

MRO · Post by **MRO** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:03 pm

Good to read such a positive post.

I must say that as the day to day grind continues in this job I lose my passion for flight. But once in a while something reminds me how sweet it really is. When I was instructing I got those reminders all the time just like how you described it.

Pratt · Post by **Pratt** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:15 pm

Good posts folks!!

Go Guns · Post by **Go Guns** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:32 pm

That was a good read. Thanks for sharing

SkyWolfe · Post by **SkyWolfe** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:47 pm

Wow, that really brings me back.

I met a few pilots many times when I was a kid. I remember being on a night flight and seeing every star - the pilots told me what everything was and where so kind. I wish I could thank them... I bet that kid will have the same thoughts when he's older. Sweet post

YVR Dude · Post by **YVR Dude** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:20 pm

They will always remember that day...

Well done!

ypph · Post by **ypph** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:10 am

I can remeber being up front of an A320 as a kid and the f/o made up a waypoint using my name and made it come up on one of the displays.

I finally figured out how to do this now on the A330!!! Bloody fantastic fun!!!!

Great post, its a great feeling to have, my biggest dissapointment is that fact that no longer can we have visitors to the cockpit.

-ph

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:23 am

That's why it's just not fair that we owners should have to pay you guys big fat pay cheques. Isn't the flying pay enough.