What's Up - January 2014
Ditch The Anger
By Larry Shapiro
A Wing and A Prayer, PS.
Previously I wrote: This month (December, 2013) I will once again apply for my ticket and feel confident that with the help of my doctors, and all the records I have kept organized, I will prevail as I know the FAA is there to help and I’m sure they will. If you have questions, you know where I am.
And now the PS: Because of the holidays I delayed filing my application for only one week but it caused the following problem. In the few days I delayed putting in my papers the FAA added one sentence to their requirements for a locally issued medical for dudes like me with Prostate Cancer… please take this seriously … they added the words” if the cancer has not left the prostate, then you may issue locally, however, if it has left the prostate then we (FAA Oak City) must issue.
There are many reasons why this was a painful moment for me, most of it is personal but I wanted to give you a heads up. You see I missed that one sentence in my medical records that said, “There is the possibility that the cancer may have gone to a lymph node.” Had I gone a week earlier to apply I’d be sitting on my fresh medical. Lesson learned and now shared with those of you that have traveled the same road with me. Have faith – I’ll be legal soon.
The Gift I forgot To Give You
On October 16, 2012, I gave up anger. You heard me right I gave up anger – cold turkey. What a waste of time and energy to carry around an emotion for more than the one moment it’s valid. I had lived my life being angry with anyone, anything, and even the price of eggs in China. Why I had this love affair with anger I’ll never know, or maybe I will, but it won’t matter. I kicked the habit and my life took off like a rocket and I’ve never looked back but only forward. With all my medical issues and frustrations I’ve kept my head up, smiled whenever I could, and never once – not once – did I get angry. I may not have been thrilled about my situation, but embracing my challenge was much more rewarding. I had my bad days and good days, so I focused on the good days.
My family and close friends started noticing the difference in me almost immediately, but neither them nor me knew exactly what the change was or why. Then the light bulb went off and I realized getting rid of that burden was like a good divorce without alimony. I never knew how much time and energy I wasted being angry. It has now been more than a year since I made that change and now the divorce is final, which brings me to the gift I forgot to give you. Get rid of your anger! It could hurt you or kill you in many ways you may never have thought of.
I will admit a very high-end spiritual leader helped with me this. I can’t tell you his name, but I can tell you he was dressed in orange and we sere sitting in a really nice Pilatus.
I didn’t know he was helping me. To be more specific, I didn’t know I needed help, but at the end of the day it became crystal clear that he was, and I did need the help. He promised me my life would get better if I trusted him and ditched the anger and start living my life with love instead.
I know what some of you might be thinking, Shapiro should put the oxygen mask back on. That’s okay, because it’s enough that I know, but – and I use the word “but” in the strongest way I can, anger can kill you, hurt you, and impair your judgment at a time when you need a clear head and a strong focus.
No more than I might advise you on how to improve your landings, I am hoping to improve your living, which could improve your landings and your takeoffs. Take a moment to think about those decision moments when you’re angry about the weather, the fuel truck taking two minutes longer than you liked, the last controller saying, “Not able at this time,” being number four for landing, or when Mother Nature is calling and you’re still 10 miles out.
When the FAA held off giving back my ticket locally, I could have taken my office apart like I probably would have a year ago. But instead, I spent the time comforting the office staff that was feeling terrible about my predicament. At the end of the day it will all be good and I will once again enjoy the thrill of solo flight.
For now, I hope I’ve made my point and possibly lightened some of the burdens of life. For those that might like to discuss this more, I’m easy to find and I’d welcome the chance.
They Crashed Before The Take Off
Every heard that before? I’m sure I’ve written that some time way back when… and I can think of a couple of times that it has rung in my head when I’ve said it or even thought it. The first time I think I wrote it was back when John Kennedy did it. I knew him, I knew his first airplane, and I knew his last airplane. I will never deny that I publically said he crashed before he took off, and I’ll bet I’ve said it a few times since – most recently just a few weeks ago. I’ll ask you nicely, please don’t write to my editor or send me hate mail because you don’t agree with me, but instead hear me out.
I mean no disrespect to John Jr. or his family etc. But the facts spoke for themselves if you put them on the table and look at them with an open mind.
He was a low-time pilot flying an airplane that was over his head and he barely knew how to use the many systems and safety devices that were in the airplane. He left NYC in a hurry at commute time, he had a minor injury, and was uncomfortable, he was having words with his wife, and at best he took off in marginal VFR weather. Had he gone home, instead of Martha’s Vineyard, he might have survived. He never knew he was in trouble and when he did it was too late. Hence, my comment, he crashed before he took off.
Since that time I have been in one of the many gambling establishments in Northern California, including Reno and Lake Tahoe, and I remember one “Arrogant” poster child standing next to me, finishing off his last drink, and bragging that he was leaving to fly home in his almost new Whoop-di-Do Go-Kart that had one of them there fancy Ballistic Chutes, so he knew he’d be safe. The weather was terrible at best, but off he went and some of the reports said his Chute came off at 240 kts. You can fill in the blanks. I know my friend Rick and I stared in disbelief as he sauntered off and we both were thinking the same thing, “sure hate to see a good airplane get bent.”
And now, the reason I am once again addressing crashes that occur before take off: Just a few weeks ago a really good guy in a really good airplane took off in some really cold, high-mountain weather with six souls on board, heading into even worse weather than he left behind. He was a great guy, loved by many and now missed by even more as he still hasn’t been found, and it’s been a few weeks since contact was lost. Please, I knew him, he was lovely and had I been in his immediate vicinity I would have stood on a table and begged him to again consider postponing the flight.
To his family or friends that might read this, you have my heartfelt sympathy. I only write this with the hope someone else will take a step back and reconsider his or her departure.
On Final
It looks like the New Year is starting off at a run. Lots of new and wonderful things are happening. The flight schools are vying for your business, so they are sprucing up their digs, providing some great classes to keep you safe and happy and people are buying airplanes again.
I’d be remiss not to mention a great class I attended at The San Carlos Flight Center (SQL). The subject was “Ten things not to do when taking a check ride.” It was a hoot and the class was part CFIs, part Student Pilots, but what tickled me were the seats filled by a bunch of white haired, bearded seniors like myself … come to think of it, what the heck was I doing there? Oh, I remember, it was being taught by another almost white haired hero of mine, Dave Morss. If you don’t know who Dave is, find out … he’s done and flown everything you wished you had flown.
And finally, my new Mexico Mentor program has launched for those of you that believe all the rumors about flying in Mexico is dangerous … wrong! It’s not – it’s fun and it’s easy. So, if you are ready to go or are thinking about it, give me a call. I know where the best fishing is and where the best Sushi is being served. Find a copy of the December issue of In Flight and check out the Baja Pirates advertisement… and then you’ll know the rest of the story.
Until next time…
That’s Thirty!
“Over”
