Because I can.

Recently a pilot lounge blowhard told me that " If you're doing something in an aircraft just because you can, You probably shouldn't be doing that.". Huh? OK, the comment was made shortly after I had expressed a desire to land on 13R at BFI, and make the Alpha one turn off, in a 150. I had questioned the penalties for landing on the displaced threshold and if they would even notice. I know I am capable of doing this, especially if I have a good headwind, but would never risk a violation or penalty just to say I did. The way the statement was made was that anything one did in a plane just for bragging rights was wrong. I guess if I were to believe that, it would mean quitting flying. Much of my flying is just to say " I did it". Would I believe that landing at Eatonville, Port Orchard, Eugene, Concrete and Monroe to be something I should not have done? Does he mean I should not keep myself night current? Or stop taking occasional IFR lessons, with no real desire to fly IFR. Is there a reason I should not have taken advantage of a beautiful day to cross the rocks to Ellensburg? I really enjoyed the Out of the Blue poker run, and flying the Cherokee to Dave Wheelers Hanger party. I was hoping to go to Apex now that it is open the the public. Is there a great danger in that I am unaware of? Again this yr I hope to attend the Fantasy Field Fly-in , landing at the private grass strip in a 150. I often drive from Des Moines to Auburn, pay my bill there, then fly to BFI to pay my Alt Air dues. Just because I can. Mostly, I fly just because I can. The best part about flying , is , just because I can. I may not know everything about flying(or anything else),and I may not be the highest skilled pilot, but education fixes that. Stupid is forever.

First Fiasco, Finally Flight

I went flying Saturday, taking a birthday boy, with his dad and big sis. It was fun, we did one lap, I checked everyone , and off we went sightseeing. Sunday dawned a gorgeous blue clear day. I figured I had done my flying for the weekend. I was informed we were going grocery shopping at noon. I just couldn't pass up such a day. My charm, wit and good looks were all used to win a couple of hours reprieve. Despite my efforts we were allowed to go.With Chyanne and my bag we hopped in the maverick and headed to BFI. I had to fiddle with the seat belt for her car seat, but I finally preflighted 12J and strapped her in. A quick check of the planes flight log.... dead battery. Yup, that's today's Date on it. Hopefully turning the key to start anyway, it groans, weakly stirring the prop. I have a booster in the hot rod. After a few minutes boost it fires up. But all is not well. It pops & misses, barely running. After a few minutes trying to lean the plugs and clean them I give up. That took at least a half hour. Ok 98J is sitting there. I leave a heads up about the plane, note the log, and head off in the car to Clay Lacy. Chyanne is so excited because I let her sit in the seat alone with just a seat belt. Some quick schedule master on their computer, a package of cookies and we are off, back to NE parking. I get her strapped in, it is actually easier in this craft, preflight and off we go. "Boeing Gro.." ? "testing" . I slow the taxi as I fiddle with the plug. "testing." Nada. Ok Now I stop. check behind, good , nobody. I try both plugs , nada. I taxi back and get my spare head set. still nothing. I look at the set up, It has been a long time since I flew 98J. "test" Aha. they copy me. Check the belts. "Clear". Ok gauges. Radios. ck. Knee board? No map, no clock. Ok I have my pocket watch. I have a check list. OK I go. Ground sends me to 31R, I run up, call and hold short. "98J takeoff without delay, traffic on long final." I answer on the fly and the little plane takes to the sky quickly as I climb out toward downtown. It's been a while, I am using to much speed , not getting best climb, but still 500 fpm. On the first downwind the tower requests a short final. Ok
I can accommodate them to aid spacing. I swung around sooner and higher than normal, the added speed took me over 31L. I Apologised to the tower and got a no problem reply. finally losing enough speed and altitude I got lined up for a sloppy landing just past the numbers. Holding the flap switch, unlike the auto up in the 172's, we leap back in the air. Ok it's a 150, it doesn't exactly leap, we claw our way hopefully skyward. After three trips around and two gentle landings, I figure my time is about up. Sure enough, by the time we taxi back & unload, the next pilot arrives. A two hour adventure at Boeing Field. It was fun despite it all,and as I write the check for .5 hours I am ready to grocery shop.

No passengers allowed

It was my first visit to OLM. I had announced that I was a student pilot when I requested progressive taxi to the museum. I was a hot summer morning , so I left the cabin door open while I wandered around the Aircraft outside the exhibit. It was a relief that the cabin was not stifling hot when I returned. After a quick preflight I was in and calling for instructions for take off. Finally the mag check before I lined up on 35. The typical focus on take off was quickly compromised as a very large bumble bee zoomed past my ear on his way to the windshield. As he buzzed angrily against the Plexiglas I thumbed the mic button and asked for an immediate return for landing. I think they sensed the urgency in my voice and cleared me for runway 8 . As I settled down on 24 I announced that I had a large bee with me. I was allowed to stop on the taxi way beneath the tower while I killed and removed the offending insect, after all I was a Student Pilot , and passengers are NOT allowed.

Those pesky TFR's

I like to stay night current. My currency expires Sunday, so I have been wanting to catch some night landings this week. Shoulda gone Tuesday, it was clear & bright, but I didn't. So come Thursday, it seems passable,a high overcast & light drizzle. Just a quick hop to BFI. Not going over 1200', got the weather what else . Off we Go. BFI's ATIS lists some TFR's, but they all are north of the field, no problem.I was switched to 13R ,then instructed to back taxi to alpha two. We did notice that there were a lot of cops on the taxiways as we taxied to northeast parking and the Alternate Air birds. Vince is a bit bigger than I am, so we wanted to see how he fit in a C-150. If he goes with a small instructor it will work. Great! So fire up the Cherokee & call Boeing Ground,"63 Sierra at Northeast parking with X-ray for a valley departure". they replied "63Sierra, all taxiways are closed, I'll be able to get you out in about three zero minutes" Not thinking I asked "three minute delay?".. So they repeated " three zero minutes, you may want to shut down and check back later."..Hmmm I turn to Vince " I think I heard that the VP was coming to town tonite and that is why we are being held." Listening to the scanner we soon heard Air force Two being cleared to land. The big Boeing jet settled down, made the turn at
alpha nine then taxied to near alpha three. Then the wait till they off loaded and the Motorcade had left BFI. I had the radios on as Tower announced the field open. Flipped the avionics's off and started the engine again. After a quick Atis check, a call to ground got permission to taxi to 13R. After run up checklist was complete we got a valley departure from the tower and was the first guy out, 45 minutes later than planned.... I will make no excuses, I should have checked better for TFR's & Notams. I was complacent on a short local hop that I have flown many times before. I did not set a good example for My fledgling pilot passenger. I may not need to call a briefer, but I should have rechecked Notams & TFR's before I left home. I had glanced at them the night before, but didn't note what time. An important omission that came back to bite me. I spent more time sitting than flying. Luckily I was only sitting in a cockpit, not a cell.