Carrying on....

We hear it said occasionally by someone who gets it... that,  "We were lucky enough to be the care taker of this plane for a short time".   What is it about old airplanes, that captivate us so?

 Old Airplanes... Through Time and Generations

Kindred souls are drawn to these majestic old man-made flying machines,

which God uses to touch our lives.

They capture our hearts. They carry us aloft and beyond the constraints

of normal existence.

Through the miracle of vintage flight God shows us

a glimpse of His heavenly Glory. 

And so we experience a freedom shared by only a 

select and blessed few.

Old airplanes bring us together in unique ways and establish an

unspoken bond and lasting experiences.

Memories such as these span through time causing us to see these old airplanes

as more than mere material objects.

We pour our selves into rebuilding and maintaining

them to preserve them in newness.

In doing so, we reach out to others who have also passed this way

or who enjoy the thrill of keeping history alive,

And for the lucky ones who understand, we carry on faithfully 

that we may pass them through time and generations.

We discover that the true blessings are not the airplanes themselves.

It really is all about the people

And we travel in old airplane time machines building friendships and memories... 

through time and generations.

I dedicate this posting to my dad, John Bowden and others who've passed and who followed their dreams and shared them with me.  And I look forward to some future postings where I get to share some of the lifelong friendship stories and memories that have blessed me and my family.

One of those friendships, I will share with you now... Kelly Mahon.  Here is a cool photo shot by one of our mutual friends, Michelle Diaz.  This photo speaks to both Kelly and I as we "carry on" in both our dad's footsteps.  That's a story for another posting, but this photo is the cause for this post title and for triggering my thoughts today..... "Carrying on"

Challenger Robin Flying

Scenes from flying Curtiss Robin NR 591 (NR59H) in TX, summer 2015.

A Pilot's Christmas Poem

Twas the Night Before Christmas... at the Airport.

Author unknown.

Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp, Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ. The aircraft were fastened to tie downs with care, In hopes that -- come morning -- they all would still be there. The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots, With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots.

I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up, And settled down comfortably, resting my butt. When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter, I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter. A voice clearly heard over static and snow, Called for clearance to land at the airport below.

He barked his transmission so lively and quick, I'd have sworn that the call sign he used was "St. Nick." I ran to the panel to turn up the lights, The better to welcome this magical flight. He called his position, no room for denial, "St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final."

And what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer! With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came, As he passed all fixes, he called them by name: "Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun! On Comet! On Cupid!" What pills was he takin'?

While controllers were sittin', and scratchin' their heads, They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread, The message they left was both urgent and dour: "When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower."

He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking, Then I heard, "Left at Charlie," and "Taxi to parking." He slowed to a taxi, turned off of three-oh, And stopped on the ramp with a "Ho! Ho! Ho!"

He stepped out of the sleigh, but before he could talk, I ran out to meet him with my best set of chocks. His red helmet and goggles were covered with frost, And his beard was all blackened from Reindeer exhaust.

His breath smelled like peppermint, gone slightly stale, And he puffed on a pipe, but he didn't inhale. His cheeks were all rosy and jiggled like jelly, His boots were as black as a cropduster's belly.

He was chubby and plump, in his suit of bright red, And he asked me to "fill it, with hundred low-lead." He came dashing in from the snow-covered pump, I knew he was anxious for drainin' the sump.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work, And I filled up the sleigh, but I spilled like a jerk. He came out of the restroom, and sighed in relief, Then he picked up a phone for a Flight Service brief.

And I thought as he silently scribed in his log, These reindeer could land in an eighth-mile fog. He completed his pre-flight, from the front to the rear, Then he put on his headset, and I heard him yell, "Clear!"

And laying a finger on his push-to-talk, He called up the tower for clearance and squawk. "Take taxiway Charlie, the southbound direction, Turn right three-two-zero at pilot's discretion"

He sped down the runway, the best of the best, "Your traffic's a Grumman, inbound from the west." Then I heard him proclaim, as he climbed through the night, "Merry Christmas to all! I have traffic in sight."

Mixing the New with the Old

Recently I became friends over the internet with Scott Raczynski of Rapid City, SD. I was impressed when he told me about  the cross-country flying he was doing in his 1946 Taylorcraft BC12D.  He explained that he's worked hard to incorporate some tasteful upgrades to his airplane, making it a practical cross-country flying machine. He sent me some photos of his nice Taylorcraft. 

Normally, I am a stickler for the old style of flying... dead reckoning...etc.  But I do admit the GPS has really made navigation a snap for pilots, and in my opinion, this really improves the safety of flying.  Now... most of us have enjoyed GPS navigation... but... HAVE YOU SEEN SOME OF THE REALLY NEAT NEW GADGETS AVAILABLE THESE DAYS???

Glass Panel Taylorcraft

Scott is certainly up with the times.  Through the modern marvel of the Apple I-Pad, and some rather tricky aviation Apps, you can combine GPS, Weather information, and sectional charts all in one package.  Scott tells me he can get real-time weather updates at each airport fuel stop, including winds aloft.  This information is saved so that he can adjust his altitude selections in flight for optimum tailwinds... all this based on (practically) real-time data. One leg of his trip, Scott says he was showing a ground speed of over 140 knots. And with his STC'd C85 engine, he's burning less than 6 gallons per hour... that's some economical flying.  Sectional charts are displayed on his screen... no more fumbling with paper maps.  Scott has literally created a Glass-Panel Taylorcraft.  And he doesn't even have an alternator installed!

I admit... this has me re-thinking the old ways of flying and the possibilities of mixing in a bit of new gadgetry in my own antique airplane.

Scott's sweet Cross-country flying machine

Before the mods to his panel.

So, I am now trying to convince my wife that we "need" an I-Pad.  :)  TLB

The way God intended man to fly

This is absolutely the finest flying video I have seen.  Thanks to Taylorcraft flier, Jim Brewer, for sharing such wonderful scenes from the Great State of Alaska.  No more words necessary... just enjoy!