Merry Christmas to my Aviation Brethren!

Just wanted to make sure that I took the time to wish each and everyone of you a "Very Merry Christmas" and a "Healthy/Happy & Prosperous New Year." 

Your friendship, camaraderie and brotherhood have meant so much to me this past year.   

Addtional INTEL to "Hang'in with the EG"

 Well, to say that I enjoyed hav'in my buddy come all the way out to the Left Coast, away from his kin in Charlotte, is an understatement. He helped me out of a jam regarding adequate Safety Over-site on the Hot Ramp during the Pacific Coast's - Wings Over Wine Country" Airshow this past August. I couldn't have done it without his safety expertise.  As you can see, P-51's put a smile on his face too. 

But, I have to tell ya that I was completely taken aback when I learned that he was a closet "Charlie Brown" fan as well.  We had a great time time checking out the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and then took sometime out to have lunch at the "Warm Puppy Cafe" which has windows overlooking into Snoppy's Home Ice skating rink. The lunch wasn't half bad either. 
    

Here's one we both got a big chuckle out of too.

Jellystone Air Park: Hangin' With The EG

Jellystone Air Park: Hangin' With The EG: I love small town airports.  One thing I always look forward to when I visit the EG in sunny California is spending time at the Petaluma ...

Ole' Colleagues

Here's a short story for ya,

Well I was just laying around the house these few past evenings; yeah I'm still nursing that stubborn head cold. Anyway, idle hands are dangerous as you know, so here's my short story.

Last month I began teaching a Human Factors course to the AIRBUS pilots of the San Francisco base, and in one of my very first classes, there was a colleague of mine from Eastern Airlines sitting in attendance that day.

Now, some of you who follow the life and times of a Safety may have heard me say this before, but there aren't too many Eastern guys left at UAL, so I just had to get a picture of fellow United Airlines A320 Captain Tim Donohue. Let me just say right off the bat; he is an awesome guy and didn't seem to mind this "wet behind the ears" younger buck trying to facilitate Human Factors and Change Review to a well seasoned airline veteran like himself.  According to Tim, and a few other Eastern folk at United; I may very well be the last EAL pilot to leave United if/when they say I must go from the cockpit. It's suppose to be 65, but who knows for sure anymore by the time I get there.

The telling of stories

     This past weekend, my bride of twenty two years and I were talking about some of the past characters in our lives that we both have flown with over the years. For those that may not know/remember, my bride was a Pan American Stewardess.

That's right, a Pan Am Sky Goddess to be exact; check her out. Ain't she a beauty? 

    Anyway, we were reminiscing about those folks we worked with over the years; especially at PAA.  Seems like there just aren't enough characters in the airline buisness any more.

There were people such as Father O'Malley, Brent Justice, Kenny Terrell, Dan Linden, and Vance Warren. Each of these individuals brought something to your day; like Father O'Malley - he had a new dirty joke for you every time he saw you, it didn't matter how little time had gone by since the last time he had told you one. Now the NSEG may have flown Father O'Malley when he was flying as an Engineer on the AIRBUS A-300, so he might be able to provide more details for us what a great character he was back then.

So over the next several months, you may see a post pop up about someone we feel made a difference in our our lives; safe to say though, we'll try and write about them in a interesting and humorous manner.         

Ya'll be good now, ya hear! 

 

Strange place for an Out House

This past August, my family and I went on a road trip up the Northwest Coast line to Seattle to visit my wife's Sister. Needless to say, we had a great time visiting with our In-Laws.  I got to so the Boeing Everett Aircraft Plant tour,which included seeing the first two United Airlines 787's.  One was sitting outside getting its last set of flight tests I presumed and the other was number three in line to the exit, very cool. 

Anyway,  on the way back down south we took a detour off the big I5 highway somewhere right outside Eugene, OR for our last adventure.  We stopped in at Crater Lake, a lake that has only been in existence for about 850 years. What an awesome place, the water was crystal clear; cold as hell, but you can't have everything.  I took this shot as we were heading up the trail to where we had parked, because I thought that was a funny place to put an Outhouse. So I figured my friends from the Right Coast might get a kick out of it as well. What a view to do your best thinking I'd say; of course with all those people hanging around so close by, you'd have to keep the door closed for sure.   :))

Thanks for reading,   

the EG

The First Pilot Fee pay check

Well, I was rummaging through the Safety Pilot's treasure trough of stuff again, and came up with this little gem. This is the very First pay check that I received for services rendered; note the Pilot Fee notation. For the low low price of just a dollar a jumper, I was paid $11 on my first day.

I flew four flights that day consisting of three flights of four passengers and one of three passengers.

Now,... I know your scratching you heads right now trying to figure out whether my math is off, and I'll bet that you're even talking to the computer, trying to tell me in your own words "Hey EG, ya big dope - or least I know the Not So is, that three flights of four and one flight of three far exceeds $11.

The catch is, and I even didn't understand it until I got my first check, but as it turns out, I wasn't getting paid for the Jump-master which accompanies each flight.  But I figured that; where else could I get a half hour of flight time for each flight, and get Short-field takeoff experience associated with power-lines at one end and high trees at the other and get paid for it too.

So I stuck around for the weekend flying all summer. And NO, I never tried it. Why jump out of a perfectly good airplane, even if the engine quits.    

             

The Captain's Wafers

Many moons ago (APR to be exact) I once again had the distinct pleasure of flying with some very special bird men, yes I'm speaking of those brethern aviators belonging to the Jellystone Air Park group.  Anytime I take flight with any one of these gentlemen, I am always filled with a great sense of enjoyment of camaraderie that I don't seem to find anywhere else.  They are all kindred spirits with the same temperament and ideal of life.

So, it is with great admiration for these gentlemen that I offer you all a ceremonial Captain's Wafer 

The Safety Pilot's first Jet upgrade

Well, I was rummaging through the ole' treasure trove of Airline Memorabilia again, I guess I must be figuring that I'll come across something really interesting to write about one of these days, but alas this was the only thing I came across in the pile that you hadn't seen before.  Maybe as I dig deeper, some real gems will pop up.

Anyway, this is of me, the EG on DEC 12, 1992, shortly after my upgrade to the B-737.  This upgrade was when I moved my Domicile to SFO before we moved from Chicago to the Bay area.  The NSEG and, his then girlfriend, Nancy kindly put me up for about three months. The Landlord in Chicago wouldn't let us out of our lease and so I commuted to sit reserve during my "On Call" days. Interestingly enough, I seemed to get trips out of OAK, this was pretty convenient at the time as Bob and Nancy were living out in Pleasanton at the time. 

During this time, I also learned to play a very guarded game of "High Ho Cheerio"with Ashley.  If any of you every play with her, watch out - she takes no prisoners.

Anyway, I thought you all might get a chuckle,

The EG 



  
 

A Pilot Retirement Poem

Pilot Retirement Poem

Once the wings go on, they never come off whether they can be seen or not. It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear and adrenaline, and no one who has ever worn them with pride, integrity and guts can ever sleep through the 'call of the wild' that wafts through bedroom windows in the deep of the night.

When a good pilot or aircrew leaves the 'job' and retires, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the world of flying, there is a fellowship, which lasts long after the flight suits are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. Because we flew, we envy no man on earth.

-Author Unknown

PBA Flour Bomb Invitational April 21, 2012

Here is the fleet lined up and ready for T/O, just as soon as the fog lifts at PBA

This is Gary work'in that GPS box on the dash in front him.

This is the line up of aircraft after we arrived at PBA.  See'em all below.

Taylorcraft

The Hatz

Here I am in front of Eddie "Beautiful" C-140.  I am so jealous!, just kidding Eddie. 

Baby Ace

Here's Nance telling me, "NO" you can't have one.  Sister can be so Cruel!

For our newest member to the Jellystone Air Park Aces

In honor of our newest member (Brad "Skipper" Wigren) to the Jellystone Air Park Aces.  I just happen to have found an appropriately titled Baggage Sticker from Northwest in the "Flett Aviation Archives" treasure trove (aka - the bin of goodies).   

A little blast from the Past

Afternoon, I found this little gem in one our family photo albums. I guess Bob is one of the family since the kids call him Uncle Bob.  This was taken in 1993 as Bob and I were still lowly First Officers (Co-Pilots). He was living in Pleasanton, CA with Nancy.

Duncan's First Brick

Well here it is, my first Commemorative Brick for the "Infamous Fire Circle" that will be erected at Pond Brand Airport (PBA).  This is a great honor, but just to be clear. This the first of Ten Commemorative Brick's that will be placed in the Fire Circle.  I am almost moved to tears just looking at it, just look at the craftsmanship. 

 

 

 

 

 

More from the Post Card View

These great cards came to me via the NSEG, he has a way with finding some interesting stuff.

A little Trip to Cabo

I decided to post up my layover in San Jose Del Cabo last week. This was a great trip, the last day of a three day. Unfortunately my layover was only 48 minutes, but you take it when you can.  Can you believe they make pilots where this Safety stuff while we do our walk around. I wish we did that in every country.  This is also proves that; Captain's do Walk-arounds. :))  

The Ole' PAA 747-100 Model with the 707 paint job.

       I've been meaning to post this up on the Blog for a while. I'm trying to find a spot in the house for it.

Duncan got a little recognition

Last Wednesday I went into the SFO Flight Office to attend a meeting with our AIRBUS 320 Training and Standards Head Hancho's. They talked what was coming in the near future regarding the changes stemming from the merger with Continental Airlines.

After the meeting was over, I was surprised by my friend Captain Ron Davis, who also happens to be the Line Training Manager for the AIRBUS Fleet, and Captain Emil Lassen (not pictured) with a small presentation, whereby I received this beautiful clock as a token of their appreciation.  In the top picture I am also flanked by my newest best buddy, Captain Mike Coyle (aka Father O'Coyle), one of our Senior 747-400 drivers.  Great guy, and likes scotch almost as much I do.

Did I mention a few months back that I was awarded the Line Check Airman of the 4th Quarter in 2011, I'm sure I must have?

        

More of the Post Card Archives

This top card depicts a young United Airlines Navigator listening
 to the Dot and Dashes to home in on the radio beacon. This card
   came to me by way of a friend of my Mom's, a Mrs Doris Kreb, from
  Boca Raton Fl. Her late husband collected postcards too, and this
one happen to be aviation related. 

           This card is of a Northeast DC-3, not sure of the terminal as

           nothing mentioned about its location on the back. It unfortunately 

           came to me with the blemish on the top right corner. Maybe I'll 

           find a better copy out there someday.

The Passing of a Hero and a Friend

Folks, this past Sunday we lost a "Real" Hero. Col James Bruce Morehead, who received two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross amongst 15 other air medals, and shot down eight enemy planes early in WWII to become an Ace pasted away. I had only just gotten to know Jim these past few years, you've probably seen my posts. He was very proud of his service to his country and I can tell you; he was a "Hella" a guy.
 

The Post Card view

Well, as I mentioned last week, I would be sharing points of interest while going through the my aviation treasures.  After viewing the NSEG's Jellystone blog whereby he posted several Airport Postcards, I happen to come across my collection and thoughtt posts like this helps me be more NSEG like.       

Here is an ole' Linen card depicting Martha's Vineyard with a Northeast DC-3 in the foreground.  

This card is self explanatory

Portland Airport holds some special memories for me as this was the airport my family and I would arrive into (in most occasions) on our way to the Summer house located on Lake Thompson in Casco, ME. 

Of course, the airport didn't have this small terminal when I went through.  I came through in a B-727, not the classic DC-7 like the one in this card.  Boy, I wish I had been born 10 years earlier.    

A wall Hang'in from my youth

As you can see, I've been busy pulling out archived pictures from one of several large bins of stuff I have.  I am just trying to be more NSEG like in my blogging. With the Jellystone blogger going like he is, its hard to get any attention over here.

This picture hung in our hallway down Miami way when I was a young'in. It was also on the wall in NH, but I can't remember which wall it was to tell you the truth.