Please Fasten Your Seatbelts In Preparation For Landing
I began this website to chronicle my journey through the ending of 42 years of marriage. Finally on my own after so long, it has been harrowing and I survived only through the support of friends and family. Thank you all once again.
So I learned to fly solo again. Now I come to the hard part, landing. Landing a helicopter is usually the most “exciting” part of the flight. There are so many ways to get it all wrong. When I recall the really exciting parts of my flying career, it always seems to be the landings. Whether it was hovering down a keyhole LZ or getting a crippled bird safely back to base, the landings stick out in my memories. The bullets will take care of themselves; you can’t waste time and energy fretting about them. The landing is entirely within your control; your skill and decisions determine the outcome.
Today Teri and I reached a settlement for a legal separation. All that remains is the implementation of that agreement; which still involves a bit of work but the blueprint is done, signed, legal and binding. Now I must once again find a place to land.
The current plan is to pack up what I own and go back to Alaska in the Spring. That’s the flight plan; the proposed landing site is Homer. I know that will take me a long way from most of my friends and family but right now it looks like the safest place to start over. If you know me at all, you know that my plans occasionally change.
So, watch this space. And stay cool.
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about. 7/7/2020 edit: As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master. I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank. Thank You!
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