Committed Aviation

[Slick Goodlin]

So I commit aviation a lot but it’s the boring work kind. This afternoon I had way more fun. You guys like pictures, right?

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[Colonel]

Great picture! Staple that in your logbook!

My friend Spencer says an hour in a biplane is worth 100 in a monoplane :^)

[David MacRay]

Here’s another picture of the plane.

https://www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your-v ... ley-museum

How did you get it down from the ceiling?

[Slick Goodlin]

How did you get it down from the ceiling?

I flew it down.

[Colonel]

First time I flew a biplane I looked at the world framed by the top wing and braces, and I knew I was home.

Don’t get me wrong, jets are fun to fly, but those metal and plastic airplanes just don’t have a soul. They remind me of my washer and dryer which I like but don’t love. They do a job, but I won't mourn them when they are gone and replaced by more steel and plastic.

My son is fourth generation biplane pilot. I know, we’re not making much progress are we?

Reminds me. Shot 350 rounds of .45 ACP yesterday using my favorite pistol that went into service 111 years ago. Everyone else was shooting those metric plastic pistols. Ugh.



Oddly no one else was shooting 15 yards? Funny how an obsolete steel pistol with iron sights is more accurate than the modern plastic fantastics with their stupid fucking lasers ... at 7 yards the safest place to stand was in front of the their target.

"Things Of Quality Have No Fear Of Time"

[Slick Goodlin]

First time I flew a biplane I looked at the world framed by the top wing and braces, and I knew I was home.

Preach. Seeing the world filtered through struts and wires in a machine that’s noticeably trying to stay aloft is just a whole different experience. I like seeing the fabric ballooning up just a little between the ribs, showing me what’s holding the airplane in the air.

[Colonel]

This is what I see:



I am a Stranger in a Strange Land ... an ambulatory anachronism.

I do have an awful lot of fun, though. Not as much fun as this guy, however:



As you might suspect, that picture was taken in England, on "Kick A Ginger Day".

[Slick Goodlin]

I should add that the whole reason I was flying yesterday (well, non-work flying) was to get a bunch of cadets up for biplane rides. I guess some were excluded from going up in a Hercules a little while ago for whatever reason and I offered to help remedy the situation. The Moth needed some exercise anyways and I can’t say no where biplanes are involved.

Long story short they all loved it. One was more interested in my Airbus flying but whatever, it’s not hurting anyone so if he’s happy I’m happy. Had a little time left over so I took most of their moms flying too.

[Slick Goodlin]

I wish I could make a living doing this

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Of course a New Standard D-25 could haul a lot more people per flight on probably not much more gas.

[Colonel]

I think you and Richard Bach may be long-lost brothers!

Have you read his books? You could have written them!!

PS Time to clean your Gipsy Major spark plugs. I can see them fouling from here.