Aviation - How to start an airplane

This picture was sent to me by one of my best friends up in Seattle. We share many aviation interests.

When I saw the image, somehow it reminded of the time, many, years ago when I was selling cold weather clothing way up in the Yukon and Alaska way.

The image brought back some funky memories of an unforgettable trip.

Well, the prop of the plane and the way the plane was being started is what fired the flashback. The guy doing the starting didn't look anything like this beautiful woman. In fact, nothing in the picture looked as it did back then.

Hell, it was cold, it was snowing, it was miserable. The plane was a cargo plane and not set up for "passengers". It was equipped with crates, boxes and other paraphernalia needed by the residents of those longitudes.

Me, I was just another 190 lbs chunk of cargo heading from Whitehorse to Old Crow on a day visit, alongside the other Three frequent fryers of this flying bus.

After being told by the cargo officer/flight- attendant/pilot to expect some rough air and to please make sure that we were "buckled" down securely, we would then take to the skies.

The look on the faces of the 3 regulars told me all I needed to know. It was going to be one hell of a ride.

The buckle. Oh the buckle. I think it was called the buckle on the academic sense. It was made out of some metal, it had "buckle" written on it with marker, and it was attached to the end of some rope by another buckle on the female side. On the male side, there was a hook!
All you had to do, was to simply figure out a way to hook that end to the "buckle" end and you're good to go.

Now, the whole thing was attached to the "seat"; which on this flight was played by a comfy, plastic, Pepsi blue crate, caped with a cushion sporting the logo of "another" unaffiliated air carrier.

The pilot announce that we were on our way. We all grabbed a hold to something in preparation to taxi out.
I remember the pilot punching the button expecting both props on the bird to fire up. The noise that took over the entire landscape was phenomenal. I guess in a cargo plane, insulation is only a nuisance.
After 30 plus minutes of trying his damnest to save face and to keep the one working prop from stopping while getting the other one to kick in, the Pilot finally decided that a more mechanical minded approach was called for.

He stuck his head and left arm out the little window and holler and waved to the ground-support team.

In the mean time I observed my co-passengers get excited at the sight of the mechanic who was slowly approaching our wing. One of them leaned towards me and yelled at the top of his lungs, that "Rogelio" a guy from Cuba was good with tools and that he would get us up in the air. They all seemed to recognized and like Rogelio.

I nodded, thinking. "What the hell is a guy from Cuba doing inches away from the Arctic Circle!?"

Rogelio, quickly determined which prop wasn't working right by doing a walk around. He then took a hold of that prop and coax it to cooperate by pushing it. He looked a bit frazzled. Or maybe he was stucked to the prop. I couldn't tell. After all, it was 1 degree out there.

My concerns grew more alarmed when I saw Rogelio jumping and trying to hit the prop's cowling with the biggest, freaking wrench I've ever seen! This damn thing was about as tall as Rogelio and about as blunt.

Watching him get frustrated with the whole exercise, he finally opted to get a ladder. The ladder towered over Rogelio, who strategically placed it within a gnat's eye-lash from the frozen prop.

I was somehow, mesmerized by the possibility of later on, giving an accurate description to the newspapers of the tragedy that I was certain, was only seconds away.

Rogelio banged the living hell out of that prop housing with rhythm. After all, he was a Cuban drummer I later found out.

After a good beating and a Bible of Spanish cursing the stubborn prop roared to life, not even scratching a single splinter from Rogelio's ladder. Wow.

Well, here we go!

A few minutes later we were all happily bouncing down the icy tarmac. I was quietly pondering if I was going to impotent after this little jaunt to the Frozen North.

It seemed that once airborne, the noise level actually increased by a few thousand decibels. I could see the wrinkles on my companions faces actually vibrate.

It was hard to see out the window. Not only because there were heavy clouds but because of the years of buildup cigarette smoke on the Plexiglas. If you got too close to the glass, I'm sure you could get second hand smoke inhalation. No doubt.

After several minutes in the air and catching glimpses through breaks in the clouds, suddenly downed on me that I should be able to see down on wildlife and such. However, here I was almost eye to eye with grazing Goats!!!

They were unfaced by the spectacle before them. A banshee from hell roaring and screeching through canyons, struggling to gain altitude. It was as though they have all seen this before many, many times!

My companions were also un moved by the tree-top flying warehouse we were riding in. I figure, if they are ok with this, who am I to be concerned by such triviality as self preservation?

Sometime later we were touching down in the nicest gravel runway of Old Crow. I guess, the expression of my face prompted the locals to offer me some water. Or maybe, it was the seat's cushion still firmly grabbed by my butt cheeks!

Oh yeah, Rogelio was the guy the girl on the picture reminded me of.

Aviation - JetAmerica

I remember when Airbus and other entrepreneurial airlines, decided to launch their aircraft into the air, hoping that we would ride the wave. Well, you know me. I'm on anything that flies. So when JetBlue made their introductory debut $1.oo day I was on it!!!!

Now, I just found out that we have a new airline on the horizon....JetAmerica. This brave new carrier is introducing $9.00 seats!
Unfortunately, their market is not servicing my part of the country. Oh well. Still a hell of a great price. So, even if the carrier does not make it, you can said that you got your butt across the country for only $9.00 freaking bucks!

Go here and read more about it. JetAmerica

Breasts - “Bowling For Boobs”

Here's a little fun tournament that I can definitely support, no pun intended.

“Bowling For Boobs”
In the month of June, this business will do something that I believe would be of great benefit for millions of women and their breasts.

For all details and information please visit:
Dogwood Bowling & Billiards Halftime Bar & Grill

Maybe I'll start "Boobs and BBQ's" to make a contribution! Anyone up for that?

Corvettes - giveaway!

Holy 350-HP Batman!

Carlisle Events with ProTeam Corvette just announced that they will be giving away a delicious, scrumptious, fast, yet street legal 2004 Millennium Yellow Corvette LS1!!!

Yep, that's right. A giveaway.

On Sunday, August 30th, one lucky attendee will drive home this awesome little Yellow number, while puddling the driver seat.

The 2009 Corvettes at Carlisle wich will be held August 28-30 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, will see this Super-car go home with a very lucky person. Damn. I only wish I was close enough to this event this year.

I just read a comment in another website in which a poster asks "...why would anyone would want to get or buy a gas, guzzling chunk of crap like that? Especially in this economy..."

Humm, obviously this person has ZERO clue as to what a Corvette is and what it represents to the owner.

The wonderful thing about America, still is that if you want a "car like that", you can still get it. No need for some ass wipe in some Government office dictating what you should and shouldn't have!
The day we surrender that right, that is the day we bury the Country.

Anyway, no politics.

I just wish I could make my way to PA in August and give it a try. A drive to Utah will be most awesome on that machine!

Breasts - It's all about presentation!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

America-Aviation-Nasa

Well, it has been two days now and the crew of STS-125 are still, unable to land safely in Kennedy Space Center. The reason of course, is the apparent Weather they are experiencing in the region.

The alternative landing site is Edwards AFB in California, where the weather is incredibly nice!

After watching the very un-interactive NASA tv-channel we have learned that trying to land in the perfect conditions of California may be a bad thing?!

The reason. I would cost 1.2 Million dollars to ferry the Space Shuttle back to KSC.

Wow, just for argument sake. I wonder how much does it cost to man the stations around the clock in Houston+ other facilities for an extra Two or more days so that they could save 1.2M?

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for the space program. But not knowing much about their budget and certain technical procedures, kinda let's me see, how people who are against the Space program may have extra ammo to attack the funding of such programs.

Either way. I hope that the crew will make it safe and sound on the good ol' Earth. They have got be going nuts in that space bus after Two freaking weeks!

America -Today

Humm, let's see what happened today in America that interested me. Oh yeah. I saw some spectacular views of the Space Shuttle and the Hubble mission.

Staying way past my bed time, had provided me with a better understanding on the work these Astronauts do. Simply AMAZING!

Seven individuals, highly professional all. They took on the task to repair the failing space telescope. For the past 2 weeks, this crew has worked to repair and restored the instruments of the telescope which gave us some of the most amazing images of the Universe.

Watching the Space Shuttle Atlantis approach the massive telescope and then grab it, maneuver it into the cargo bay and work on it, was if nothing else, an eye opening experience for me. I have to say with a bit of envy. I wish I could be up there!

NASA does a fantastic job in training these people overcome the unexpected. At the same time, they provide loads of information and insight into the operations being conducted. Kudos to all the people involved in making the "Final Frontier" a more user friendly... Space.

If you like Space Exploration as much as I do ( After all, involves flying) you can visit the NASA site and endulge with amazing images and information. Let the dreams soar!


I supposed the other BIG momentous headline in America today, comes from the stages of American Idol. WOW!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I would have sworn that Adam Lambert had it in the bag. After last night's performances I thought Adam won out 2 out of 3. After today's performance with Queen, I thought Adam show his "star quality", but I supposed the votes were already counted by them.
For the last few weeks, most of the bloggers out there, pretty much had giving him the title.

Either way, maybe it doesn't really matter at all. They both stand to make BUCKETS of dough. Much more than you and me together. Both are great artists.

I think I'll be more inclined to buy Adam's cd than Krys's however.
Adam has the choice of edgier range and that makes him in my eyes, a more complete artist.

I'm glad the show's over, maybe now, I can get back to a more productive life!

The C's

Corvettes

What can one said about America's favorite sports car, that hasn't been said before? Plenty.

If you haven't been fortunate enough to own one or even just ride on one, get to it before some self aggrandizing politician decides to terminate them.

My love affair with this vehicle came on a spring afternoon, when I was just a little kid of maybe 6 years old. One of my uncles had a shiny red and white 1958, he took me for a ride on those glorious southern roads. You know the kind, the ones where the trees line the streets on both sides and meet high on the middle.

I remember feeling like I could fly. Those were the days before sit belts were "mandatory" and I could actually stand on the tight bucket seat, and extend my arms in the air.

I can still feel the warm wind on my face and making a mess of my uncle's hair.

That very same Christmas I got a model of a '63 white split window. It was like a trophy. My cousins and little friends wanted to play with it but there was no way I was going to let them. Playing with that car, holding it, looking at it, made me visualize my goal and I swore then that someday I would have my very own Corvette.

Many sunrises came and went, I grew up, I got to see my uncle's car traded for a more "sensible" family car. I remember seeing his face fighting tears as his precious baby was being driven away. I also felt a sense of loss when that happened.

Many more moons went by and I was still not getting close to owning my own Vette. I was reading every magazine that featured a Corvette, scheming and planning on how to get one. Finally in 1990 I was able to make that dream come true.

Driving home one Sunday night with some friends, we came upon a small little town in Colorado. In a corner gas station there was a covered car. I knew somehow, that it was a Vette. I got to take a peek and it was gorgeous. A 1982 Eckler's edition (ground effects), two tone, white-silver Corvette!!!

The car wasn't for sale. But as my grandma used to say "You'll never know, until you ask". Well, next morning I called the gas station, got in touch with the owner and as fate would have it, he was also pressed to get a more "sensible" family car. It brought back memories.

A few days later my dream was in my driveway. I finally had a CORVETTE!

Wow, I guess what they said, about visualizing, dreaming and striving for it does make dreams come true.

The B's

BREASTS

Well, not much of an explanation here. I’m a huge fan!

Hum, actually, yes I think I need to explain a couple of things, no pun intended.

Perhaps saying that I just love breasts may convey the wrong idea; for I do love the owners of such charms. Women!

Hopefully I’ll get to switch the chauvinistic pig label that some may have already assigned, for someone who actually cares for their well being and their beauty.

I love breasts not only for the obvious reason, but because of what they can do. They sustain life!
Now, that's a cool trick. They also make you feel good.

I know that I was breast fed, so it is of no surprise that I love breasts. I can actually remember their warmth from those early days. So, now that I'm an adult I tend to gravitate to that which puts a smile on my face and brings beauty into my world.

You know what they say, “Beautiful thoughts, builds a beautiful soul”

I also have decided not to be a hypocrite anymore and sincerely admit to the fact. I’m a FAN!
I can’t count how many times, when I was feeling pissed or out sorts, just one single glance to a beautiful pair would change my mood.

Maybe we need to export more of these to the Middle East. War over!

I often hear people giggling, ogling, judging and admiring in secret those amazing orbs. I supposed those actions stem from so many years of guilt dumped on us from misinterpreted religious texts, authority figures, media and political agendas that had contribute to our social confusion.

While in the path of “Enlightenment” I have come to three solid conclusions.

One, I love breasts.

Two, I needed to get involved in the eradication of breast cancer and

Three, people will go out of their way get offended!

I find it irrational the thinking that the mere sight, mention or acknowledgment of exposed breasts could be a “Bad”, “Insulting”, or worse, a “Dirty” thing. Can you imagine a greater insult to God? Thinking that His creation is dirty!? Madonna Mia!

The word that gets me is “Obscene” A pair of glorious boobs obscene?!

I tell you what’s obscene. Politicians, journalists, gurus, some religious leaders and fear mongers who unscrupulously are lining their pockets with ill gotten moneys drained from you and me through their agendas. It seems that our pain is their success.

Terrorism, destruction, uncontrolled greed, Government adoration, THAT’S obscene.

I seem to remember an instance where a new mother was rudely told to breast feed in the bathroom of a certain box-store; simply because it may offend others!!!

Or, the time when a beautiful girl in Florida, who was simply washing off sand in a beach’s public outdoor shower was arrested, because her breasts were exposed!

In a society which seems to adore all that is “Natural” and “Green” and exalt the virtues of Indigenous peoples from around the World for their simple living. We are sure confused as hell about this one. I call it hypocrisy.

One of the simples and happiest people on the planet are the Yawalapiti of Brazil. Their acceptance for their nudity is impressive. A way of life.

You will think that running around naked in the jungle for Millennia would have lead them naturally to cover themselves for practical reasons. No.

They accept who they are and how God made them. No judgment, no guilt, no embarrassment and not political gain. They LIKE who they are and how they look. Some may be tempted to call these people “savages” but, between you and me. I believe they are more rational than lots of people we all know.

I do accept and agree that there’s a place and time for everything. We have a responsibility to safeguard the innocence of childhood. But imparting knowledge and proper teaching about our own beauty goes along ways.

Nude feminine beauty has been adored and regarded throughout centuries. From the early cave dwellers, to ancient Rome and Greece thru Today, and I suspect for Thousands of years to come.

Personally I’m gonna do my best to see that it does.

Keep in mind that thousands if not millions of dollars are spent in private art collections and museums around the world. And what do we find on these magnificent frescoes? …Naked women!

That’s right, glorious, beautiful, majestic, natural naked Women.

If these frescoes are good enough to be in the ceilings of some of the most hallowed cathedrals and museums in the world, then I feel that I’m in pretty good company. And to think, that I once was almost fired for looking a picture of beautiful nude woman. Geez!

So, I've decided to do something about it. Love them, respect them, save them and admired them!
After all, they are part of us.

I've learn to live within my nature. Not to fight it or give in to it, but to understand it and enjoy it. Maybe I’m not alone on this.

“When You Change The Way You Look at Things, The Things You Look at Change”.

About the A's

Perhaps saying that the "A" stands for Aviation alone may not be all that accurate. It also stands for America. I'm so damn proud to be an American that my mouth hurts from smiling!

So, henceforth, the A's will stand for America & Aviation… and other “A” related activities that I happen to be interested in.

AMERICA
...Land That I Love... Yeah, most of us know the little tune, but it just so happens to be true in my case. I’m genuinely in love with my country. I love every day on this glorious land of ours.

Somehow, somewhere someone decided to make it unfashionable if you feel the stirs of Patriotism within. They dimed it to be “controversial” and passé. Not for this kid!

Politics aside, I believe this part of the world to be amazing. Amazing not only for what it represents but for its raw natural splendor.

I have had the opportunity to visit 44 of our States; meet their people, taste their foods and participate in many local activities. In every one of those States I have found a piece of America, alive and well.

Not all is perfect of course. We have so much more to learn and teach, but given the alternative, I’ll take it any day!

Having had the opportunity to travel abroad to many other wonderful places (20 countries and counting), still fills me with awe and joy, every time I land back on this soil. It has made me appreciate what we have right outside our front doors. I enjoy the interaction from other cultures and philosophies; it gives me a comparison and a sensible platform to base my own observations of America.

Hell, just look around - Aviation, Breasts & Corvettes™, all under one sun for everyone to love and enjoy in peace. Only in America!

Man, what a gift we have here. Don't F-it Up!

Big props to all of those who are protecting it.


AVIATION
Aviation has always been a huge part of who I am. I was born for it.
My early years were always around airports and airplanes.

Since childhood my imagination soared to great heights when the glorious Thunder of jets pounded on my chest. The metallic wings glitter in the Sun and I was off the ground when the smell of JP4 fueled my dreams.

I love Aviation as a whole. But, the most interesting form of flight to me, it is the personal type.

The idea of being able to leave the ground and a few moments later you’re touching clouds man, that's exciting to me; especially if you don't have to buy a frigging ticket to do it.

Tremendous leaps have been made by entrepreneurial companies in the arena of personal aviation in the last few years.

These manufacturers make personal flying gear with the intent to get the average Joe (me) up into the wild blue. Albeit not the cheapest thing either, but close enough.

You don't have to spend countless hours in a class room taking expensive courses; nor have to have a "license" to fly. No sir, you take a few instructor guided classes and then walk up to the nearest hilltop and boom, you're learning to fly!

I'm talking about Paragliders, Power Paragliders and Ultralight aircraft. These awesome machines will take you up there Yeah!

After the proper training has been imparted you too can be with the birds. Just because the power of flight has been made available to you, doesn't mean that any half-whit with gear should take to the air. There are plenty of those on the roads already.
You need a certified instructor to school you on the right way to take advantage of your new flying machine.

Lately I've been increasingly interested on purchasing a two place Ultralight. The Cosmos (French) has been an industry standard, but trying to find parts and such around these here parts it is almost impossible or very expensive. So, I'm definitely looking for a home grown brand. North Wing, Spartan DFS, etc.

We will see what '09 brings.

My dream is to someday do a cross-country flight in a Delta-Wing ultra light. (Remember Flyaway Home?)

But if I really want to get my adrenaline really pumping and my senses heighten, then I book it to the next upcoming Air show!

My whole being comes truly alive when the sky-ripping sound of Raptors, Eagles, Vipers and Falcons thunders in the space above me. Now I know where Pink Floyd came up with the “Delicate Sound of Thunder” title.

Commercial Aviation also plays a great part in my life. It allows me to interact with others around the world. I get to visit great new places, see new things and develop my understanding of our World. I hate those damn long lines though.