Back In The Saddle - Sort Of

From 1979 to 1983 I flew commercially for the company where I worked for forty one years.  It was a fantastic company to work for and flying was a wonderful foundation for understanding the complexities of an aviation enterprise.  By the time 1983 had come along, Pat and I were interested in starting a family, so I made the decision to exit the cockpit and start a job in the office.  That was one of the best decisions I ever made.  Over the years I was afforded the occasional opportunity to fly one of our aircraft but in time that became less and less.  I still look up at passing aircraft wondering where they are from and where they are going, thinking of the pilots up there daydreaming of the day they can get out of the cockpit and start another chapter.

When we stopped in to see Bill and Pat the first time he asked if I wanted to go and see his Hangar.  “Sure” I said.  He and Pat live on a beautiful piece of land in central Ontario near Durham and has built a small shed in which he builds and works on the many model radio controlled aircraft he owns.  It is a step back in a way to the time we were kids and built balsa models, with wood strips, fabric, glues and airplane pictures on the walls.  You only need to click the link to the right of the screen and explore his blog to see how much he loves building and flying his aircraft.

So, it wasnt long before Bill asked me if I wanted to go to the field to watch him and the guys fly their models.  “Sure” I said.  The field is just outside Hanover and is a well manicured portion of a farmers field that is set aside for the guys to fly their model aircraft.  I think it might have been the second visit to that field and Bill asked if I wanted to do a circuit with one of his planes.  I was bitten.

Every trip we make to see Bill and Pat now includes a trip to the field for a few hours.  As you can see in the picture above, these guys are serious about their aircraft.  They each have cargo trailers fully decked out with five to ten aircraft and tools and spare parts.  I was hooked.

Arriving in Quartzsite this year I joined Bill on his daily trip to the local RC airfield for a few hours.  As we are here for the next few months and I am hooked well anyway, it seems perfectly logical to get into this on my own.  So, I purchased a small training aircraft, got my FAA licence and required insurance in case I accidentally fly into someone or damage something and am all set to get back into it.  By getting into it, the only real similarity to what I did forty years ago is it is an aircraft and I am looking up into blue sky.  Other than that it is a steep learning curve and something I am looking forward to doing regularly.

I had about four sessions with the local instructor and am now flying somewhat straight and level so we will see how this progresses.  I am looking forward to it and love the challenge.

Wayne (instructor) looking calm so that is good.