Your intrepid blogger was up early on 4/26/08 to go out to the western edges of the Upper Midwest to bring in a little kid who needs some surgery. I can’t give any details about the little kid, of course, but the headwinds were over 80mph at altitude making the flight out very bumpy and creating a “crab” angle of about 20-30 degress in AB1.
Not a lot of fun. I’m happy I was alone on the outbound leg since I didn’t need the hassle of anyone getting airsick. I did however, have the foresight for a change to load some bags and airsick medicine for the return leg.
The little kid was at the airport with her parents. Nice people in their late twenties. Dad had to stay behind to work so Mom (a MILF if there ever was one) and the little kid were kind of apprehensive since AB1 isn’t all that big a plane. It didn’t help that we couldn’t find a grounding wire to top off the tanks (you ground the plane when refueling so you don’t have a massive fireball in case of static electricity).
It reminded me again of the bravery of innocence if you will. The little girl knew she was sick but couldn’t be bothered to compare it to anything because she’s always been sick. She also knew that somehow, it would all work out in the end and, since death is a meaningless word at this time in her life, it doesn’t occur to her. The total cynic that is moi is always refreshed by this attitude and makes me realize that the “Big Guy Upstairs” is really looking over all of us all the time. Given my piloting skills, it’s a good thing, too.
Well, the guy found the wire, AB1 got refueled and everyone got settled in. The little kid was bummed she couldn’t use her cell phone but that’s just the way it goes. I did let her do the “gear up” takeoff thing (she really enjoyed that since we picked up about 25 knots and I was able to, literally, stand AB1 on her tail) and the next thing I know, we’re at 9000ft doing about 260 knots pretty smoothly thanks to the tailwind. Weeeeeeeeeeee. AB1 usually maxes out at about 190 knots in calm air.
I leaned the engine to its max (called lean of peak) and let AB1 run. Man, was she happy. Man, were we moving. Pure flying for the fun of it. I took the plane off autopilot about 200 nm from our destination and hand flew her to the airport. Turning into the wind to land was a reminder of how strong the winds were today. I just nailed it, too. Smooth as “buttah”. Not bad since I was in a 19 knot crosswind. In jets, that’s not that big a deal but in a plane like AB1, that’s a lot of crosswind.
Even better, no one got airsick.
Mom and cool little kid got to the hospital OK and when I checked on the little kid everyone was very happy and optimistic. Great stuff and from the little I know, I think she’ll be fine. My only problem is that Mom is happily married and her husband is a great guy.
I know, I’m awful.
Managed to get home in time to see The Crew win one so it was a great day all around.
NOTE: I’ve had a lot of emails asking why I never post pics of the plane and/or me with the plane. They find it odd since photography is one of my hobbies. Most pilots have extensive “shrines to me”.
The simple answer is that I’m superstitious. About 10 years ago, a first officer took a pic of me at night and gave me a bad case of light blindness. I was looking right into the flash at about 2200 hours (hey AB….smile!!!) and was setting up for the final approach. I damn near dumped the plane due to vision problems because of it so no pics, no camera, no nothing around me, AB1, BP1 or any aircraft I’m flying or flying in.
NOTE: To the little kid, best of luck….you’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to taking you home in a few weeks. Bravo Zulu.
