Vintage Instructor THE
BY Steve Krog, CFI
Airport at sunset
T
here is nothing more peaceful and serene than a country airport near sunset. The daylong 25-mph crosswind has died to a very light breeze. A single Aeronca Chief is in the traffic pattern practicing a few takeoffs and landings as the last vestiges of the orange sunrays stretch across the clear blue sky. A pair of sandhill cranes, which have found a home on a small pond on the southeast corner of the airport property for the past four years, gracefully fly low overhead on a flight path back to the pond. The bullfrogs at the pond have been singing for over an hour. As daylight comes to an end for another day, all is peaceful. Pilots, who have been flying their airplanes for pleasure for the past two hours, have put their airplanes away for the day, leading edge bugs have been wiped from the wings, and the windshield cleaned, in readiness for flight again tomorrow if the weather is conducive to pleasure flying. A young mother with two young boys in tow has driven onto the ramp area. We wave to her and invite her and the boys to come to the hangar and look at the airplanes. The boys are quite shy at first, but with some prodding from Mom they approach the J-3 Cub parked in the front and excitedly state, “Mom, this is the airplane that was flying over our house today.” The mother laughs and says, “Every time you fly over the house the boys stop what they are doing, look to the sky, and point at the airplane overhead. They are fascinated by the yellow airplanes.” I invite the boys to have a closer look and ask if they would like to sit in the airplane. Again very shy, they look to Mom for an “okay.” I assure her that they won’t hurt anything and show them how to get in the Cub. The step is just high enough that the 6-year-old can just barely reach it. He hangs onto the doorframe and hoists himself up and quickly crawls into the front seat. The 5-year-old requires a little help to reach the step but ably climbs into the rear seat. Once in the Cub I explain how to move the control stick, pointing out the moving ailerons and then have them look back toward the tail while moving the stick
36 MAY 2012
forward and back. They see the elevator move and are fascinated by how the moving control stick makes the controls move. A few minutes at the controls and Mom breaks out her cellphone camera and asks if she can take pictures of the boys. I give her an okay, but first place the intercom headsets on the boys and turn them on. They giggle and can’t believe they are talking to one another. Pictures are taken and she comments that she will have to print them for placement on the refrigerator at home, as well as for “Show and Tell” at school tomorrow. Soon it is time for the boys to exit the Cub and head for home, so excited they can’t wait to tell Dad about their airport visit. I invite Mom and the boys to come out anytime and, with her approval, the boys can go for a short plane ride the next time. Once the boys have left, those of us who have gathered migrate back to the picnic table in front of the hangar to again enjoy the peace and serenity at the airport. One of the guys comments, “Well, I think you’ve just signed up two more students. They will be back in a few years wanting to learn to fly the Cub!” As calm again settles, a small flock of geese pass overhead. It’s near dark now and the normal honking and squawking is silent. The geese have been feeding in a nearby stubble field and are now headed back to a nearby pond for the night. Then someone points out a red fox that has appeared from the southern tree line and slowly makes its way across the runway. It’s almost dark out now, so the fox is comfortable to move freely while on the hunt for an evening meal. As the stars begin to appear, several of the guys begin pointing out different constellations. I’ve always been fascinated by the constellations, but I’ve never been able to connect the dots to see and recognize them. Except for the Big and Little Dipper, that corner of the creative side of my mind must still be locked away. Then someone points out a satellite high overhead moving rapidly from south to north. It’s the first one of the evening, and all eyes quickly turn to the sky. Soon a second and then a third satellite are spotted. We often
have contests to see who can spot the most satellites in a 15- or 20-minute period. It is not uncommon on a clear night to see at least 10 pass overhead. Soon it is time for all to call it a day. As the hangar guys and gals begin to leave, we all pause and comment on what a beautiful day and evening it has been. As the last pilot leaves, I begin lowering the hangar door, calling an end to another great day in paradise. The Cubs all seem to be sitting at the ready, anxious for another new day to begin and prepared for another challenging day of students learning how to handle their controls. Sometimes I think they might want a day off after bucking and bouncing in the traffic pattern for hours on end. But they never seem to mind. They sometimes remind me of a well-trained young dog. Though very tired from a full day of activity, they can’t wait for the next sunrise and another day filled with fun and excitement at the airport. But now it’s time to get some rest. As the hangar door closes and the door is locked, I oftentimes will sit alone at the picnic table for a few more minutes and think about the great day and beautiful evening I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. So calm, so peaceful, so quiet, and so serene. Is there any better place in the country to spend a few reflective minutes? The airport is a great place to spend a day. I love every waking moment that I’m there, but I especially love the last hour of the day. As I sit and reflect on the day’s activity, I think about the six or seven students with whom I flew. Each made progress toward learning to fly, and at least one of them made their first solo flight that day. It brings a huge grin to my face as I think about how that student acted after the first flight lesson and then how they felt after completing three solo takeoffs and landings. What an achievement for them. With rare exception the new solo flight student can’t stop talking about the flight. The conversation usually begins with, “I can’t believe how short the Cub gets off the ground and the way it climbs when you’re not sitting in front of me! And it seems to float forever when landing.” When a first solo flight occurs, the other folks at the airport all drop what they are doing and gather in front of the hangar to offer their personal congratulations. All await the traditional shirttail cutting, then follow with another round of backslapping, handshaking, and good-natured ribbing. Any one of you reading this article certainly has a love for and great appreciation of flight. But the true “icing on the cake” is the fun and camaraderie that take place at a small country airport. There are no finer friends, I’m convinced, than those who are active at the airport. As I finally get off the picnic table and head for the parking lot I think, yes, it was another great day at the airport. I can think of no other place I’d rather be.
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