Student Pilot Terrors

Student Pilot Terrors

FIRST TIME OUT ALONE “Oh please God, I’m lost,” I whimpered. As I write this, I’m a student pilot again. Remembering, my palms go cold and slippery with sweat. It was solo time again – this time to fly away from home. I hoped. Puffed up with bravado, I pleaded with my...
Prisoner transit

Prisoner transit

There can be a strange passing parade, at airports. Sometimes most diverting. Remember years ago when dangers arrived in the mail? When poisons or explosives were the fad threat to hated politicians, members of Congress, celebrities? Letter bombs, arsenic in...
Unavoidably Detained – Plan B

Unavoidably Detained – Plan B

UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED In aviation, a basic survival rule is not to be tempted by “get-home-itis,” a condition that lures you into flying into weather conditions you’re not equipped to handle. It can, and often does, lead to a terrifying death. Staying on the ground,...
Close Call Cat

Close Call Cat

The Close Call Cat   “What’s that?” asked my son. He was in the right passenger seat, peering through cupped hands at the plane’s generator warning light in front of him. We were flying over the sound, from Martha’s VIneyard to the mainland. I leaned over, saw...
Kill Devil Hills First Flight

Kill Devil Hills First Flight

Kill Devil Hills, First Flight We were cruising south over the eastern coastline, leaving bouncy fair weather in New England, merging with a system of low ceilings over Virginia and North Carolina. Massively wonderful tailwinds scooted us rapidly over the huge...
Chetumal Border Crossing

Chetumal Border Crossing

The young dragon lady looked up officiously, coolly – challengingly? – from her seat of authority. “You will have to bring your bags in here to have them inspected,” she haughtily pronounced. “Of course,” I smilingly responded. “We have six bags – I...