What's Up - September 2013

What's Up?!

Sep 11

… R O S H …

By Larry Shapiro

I know some of you might not connect the dots on this one, but I hope you will try.

I was thinking about what to write this month, that, aside from my computer, meant I would have to use my head. It reminded me about the Hebrew word “Rosh” meaning head. This was the only lead in I could think of to acknowledge the Jewish New Year that will be celebrated during this month of September. Without giving your Rosh a Rosh-ache, the two words combined together mean The Head of The Year … hence, we have the celebration of the Jewish new year beginning with Rosh Hashanah and culminating with Yom Kippur, the most scared day for those of the Hebraic persuasion and sometimes referred to as our annual confession.

We ask all to forgive us for any and all transgressions we may have committed against them and we, in turn, forgive you for the same. I’ll tell my closest friends (and any of my children that I’m actually talking to), that this is a good time to mess up since I will have to forgive them starting at sundown on the 4th of this month. They’d better hurry since this special only runs through sundown Sept. 14.

I actually feel at times like it’s a spring cleaning of the clutter in my head and a chance to forgive all of you that did some really dumb things, like blowing dirt in my hangar, took too long in the run-up area, talked too much on your radio, and didn’t send me a card or gift from your last exciting trip.

My father once said, “Being Jewish is an experience everyone should have at least once in their life time.” Of course he was also the one that said to G-d during a discussion about why we are called the Chosen People, while looking to the heavens at flight levels and above, “G-d, do me a favor, next time do me a favor and choose someone else.”

In spite of my father’s dubious words, I’d like to wish everyone a sweet and healthy new year, and I have approved you all being Jewish if only for one of these special days.

Another Special Day

Every year I look forward to the opportunity to meet some of my yet unknown readers. Aviation events where I have worked have always afforded me that opportunity. Most of you know that my life has changed somewhat this past year. No, not becoming a grandfather – that was only my new priority – but I’m referring to my battle with the little six letter word, “cancer.” I make no secret that it’s a life changer and I’m here for any of you that would like to talk about it. So now I look forward to the annual airport days in my time zone, and especially the one being held at my home base airport, PAO.

This year for the first time, we are holding our event on a Sunday, and to be more specific, the Sept. 29. We open our beautiful airport to all taxpayers and their dependents and ask and encourage them to join us as we bask in the sun, eat a lot of stuff we never ate before, enjoy the Young Eagles taking their first rides (for free), and visit the many interesting non-profits that support us each year.

Located only minutes from the San Francisco Bay and next to a golf course and bird refuge, we’re more like an airpark than an airport. Based on the requests and questions we get all year long about when and if we are opening our gates once again, we’re happy to once again welcome the 5,000 to 6,000 neighbors that join us for our humble celebration of aviation.

I’m just saying…

Without exception I always ask new potential clients and any student pilot I run into, what was their motivation in learning to fly. The answers run the gamut from a career move, a dare, my father did it, my mother did it, or one of my favorites, “I think it’s cool!” However, every now and then I get a really grown-up answer that is worth repeating. This one came from a recently out-of-work, field-grade, retired officer. I won’t mention his name or how many stars he carried on his shoulders, but I absolutely loved his answer. It was the first time I had ever heard that getting his ticket plus an instrument rating was a suggestion from a colleague wearing one of our country’s military uniforms.

He said, having an instrument rating would help you deal with immediate issues and also help you plan ahead for the unknown that might be lurking in the clouds. This was excellent training for a field-grade warrior. Too you both, “Salute!”

When Old Is New-Ten Years Ago

At the suggestion of one of my favorite wives, I decided it might be fun to look back at my column from 10 years ago to see what, if any, things have changed. I was amazed to find that what I wrote ten-years ago is still prevalent and works just as well. Here’s some of what I shared with you then, and it still feels like I just wrote it. By the way, I’ve never done this before, but I’m thinking I might do it again, so … here goes!

Ten years ago I said…

I love this time of year, the flying is easy and the WX is cool, the smells are smellier, and congratulations to all the procrastinators, that finally filed their Income Tax for last year.

Thanks to so many of you, we are finally able to provide the service and care you’ve asked for over the years from helping you into your first airplane or moving up to your next one. Now we are able to help you manage your aircraft, change the interior or make needed interior repairs, and while that’s being done we can even upgrade your panel, actually, that even works if you do it visa-versa. Most important, one place at one time and all in your own time zone.

Another goal achieved in 2003 was putting together more aircraft partnerships than ever before. This is a great dollar saving alternative to owning an airplane by your self.

We also saw our friends at In Flight USA move into their new digs in San Mateo after a less than happy first part of the year. We wish Victoria and her family every success possible as she and her staff press on to make In Flight USA even better for all of us. (BTW … she and her staff have just celebrated their 30^th anniversary of producing this world-class aviation publication and showing off a beautiful new yellow paint job on their world headquarters.)

We want to express our appreciation to the County of Santa Clara for making 2003 a real honeymoon after going through the adulteress and stormy affair with that other county during 2002. Our new marriage is alive and doing very well and all of us associated with Jorgenson-Lawrence Aircraft and What’s Up?! Airshow Entertainment truly appreciates the caring support given us from everyone here at the Palo Alto Airport from the Lone Riders in the white pickup trucks, to the three exceptional Rangers – Roger, Charles and Jay.

It’s no surprise that we heard from a few of you, make that a lot of you, in regards to our comments on CFIs. GOOD! We hoped we would. I know this will be an on-going subject for a while, but here are just a few of the comments we’d like to share with you: It was suggested that there be at least two and maybe three CFI’s in your life on the way to sitting on that Private Ticket. First start with a basic instructor. After soloing, move on to an interim teacher and finally, an “old salt” to take you the last 100 yards to your check ride.

Remember to pick an instructor that can work on your schedule not theirs. Perhaps negotiate the hourly fee if $$$ are keeping you from flying more often. We suggest three times a week, as learning in a shorter and more concentrated period of time seems to be the better road less flown. We also encourage you to limit each lesson to no more than one and a half at the stick. Flying past that time period in your first 25 to 30 hours really is more than one can digest. Of course this rule doesn’t necessarily apply on certain cross-country training. Remember, land, take a walk, do a little ground-school work with your instructor, have a drink or something to eat, and then jump back into the saddle.

Just a side note, to you new private gods of the sky: suggest going places and doing things with your friends and family. Try not to say the words: airport, airplane, and flying. Focus on the destination and goal not the mode of transportation. You will quickly see that these are great words to live by if you want support from your spouse and family members that do not share your love of aviation and flying at this point, trust me, my formula just might turn the tide for you.

Pick a special day in your life to complete your training and earn your Ticket; don’t just go on and on and on because that’s exactly how it will feel. It’s okay to have fun and enjoy learning to fly, it’s doesn’t have to be a “G-Stressed” drag.

On Final

Keeping in mind that we do spend most of our time at our airport … may I offer these photos as the quiz-for-the-day? Anyone want to guess what these are about and how they are connected? Yes, I know two are a ringer, it’s the others I’m talking about. I took two of these… you figure out which ones.