What's Up - April 2014

Alternatives

By Larry Shapiro

If you need a dozen suggestions, ideas and, of course, opinions, then get at least five pilots together in a ten-foot circle.   I love listening to and hearing from all those that don’t own an airplane at the moment, maybe never have or never will, but they are the resident experts on everything that includes an aviation term.

In all fairness, there are times when I hear something that actually makes sense and is a good alternative.

Here’s one I especially liked.  First the topic:  Redoing the panel on an antique, or an aircraft of historical value, to original status requiring the spending of dollars consisting of a lot of zeros.

Here was my surprise… the comment most often heard was, “I didn’t think of that!”

Fortunately that isn’t a capital offense, but it can be punishing if you choose to kick yourself in the bottom, or top, for not thinking of that. (Please don’t ask me what that is.)

Let me try to paint a clearer picture of where I’m going with this.  Without naming names, I go out and buy an airplane older than my parents.  It needs a little work to make it sparkle, but more than anything, the panel is ready for intensive care. 

I put my hand in my pocket and pull out some major bucks.  Now I’m in that place I call:  Decisions and Choices.  Let me clarify that.  DECISIONS:  These we have to make as in, the house is on fire so we need to make a decision… as in get out of the house!  Wait… now we have to make a CHOICE.  How should we get out of the burning house?  You could run through one of the doors, preferably one that is not burning, the window, or some other safe and creative way.  Remember, it’s your choice so it can’t be wrong since it’s your choice and you can change it.

Okay, getting back on track, you have now made the decision to up-grade your newly acquired aviation treasure… now the “choice.”  Do you take the time and dollars to restore it to its original beauty… or …spend the same or even more money and bring the latest and greatest new gadgets and toys?  Well, what would you do?  Personally I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision and I’m not sure what choice I’d make.  By the way, I once did both – I got the panel to look like factory new, and then I had a hidden panel for repositioning to and from shows. 

I learned to do that when I picked up and/or delivered green airplanes to buyers, so I had a portable panel in a box.  I know, I know, you want to know what the heck that is… it’ll cost you for the answer. 

PS

Sometimes the things I share barely make the leaves move on a tree.  Other times the response or comments on things I share with you surprises me, such as my recent comments on what colors ya’ll paint your airplanes.  

I had no idea how passionate some of you are about habit, family traditions, and, the best one I got was, I chose that color because the paint was free… really?  By the way, before painting your airplane or consider clear coating it, weight the material first.  You might find your gross payload weight, and even your CG can change depending on how much the material you chose actually weights.  I made that mistake with my favorite T-34… I clear coated it and that added more than 60 pounds to my trainer treasure!

Back by popular demand… This is what I shared with you Ten years ago.

It fascinates me that everything I wrote ten years ago, is still fresh today… I hope you enjoy reading this. I did, I do, and hope I can keep doing it.

Here’s a tease for you!  He’s now taller than me and will start driving cars soon – and he already flies.  So, I’d like to introduce my friend Jacob! 

April 2004

Rain anyone? No thanks!  However, how many times have we heard: ”I can’t fly today, it’s raining?” It’s funny that we drive in the rain and some of us notice our cars run better in wet weather.  As students we learn about density altitude, but what about the other side of the coin?

Does the phrase “water induction” sound familiar?  Don’t engines run a little better in thicker air?  May we hear your opinions on this?  I guess my point is simply that rainy days are often great days to head for the rainbows, your airplane will love it, you get a free wash job, and you will find out where the leaks are in your flying watercraft.

Have you noticed that airport eateries are always the fullest on rainy days?  Speaking of airport calorie centers, you all must have your favorite, and I am particularly fond of the small, out of the way ones.  I’ve enjoyed fly-in community lunch counters as well as what I believe to be the smallest cafe I’ve ever enjoyed, and that one was in Dahlgren, Texas.  With it’s limited stools, a couple of tables, and every crop duster in the county de-briefing there, what a treat!  Make sure you don’t walk in and ask about the weather, you’ll get as many opinions as there are folks dunkin’ their donuts.

I’m especially happy when I see an airport eatery spruce up a bit and remodel, including the menu.  Some year’s back I talked about a family run business celebrating more than 30 years in the same cramped space.  They are a major part of the fabric of their unofficial Pilot’s Lounge.  On the holidays they are open for those without families in the area and I’ve been told turkey is served on the house.

Since we’ve relocated we have discovered that one of the 3.5* eating options, has decided to leave the 60s behind and join us in this century.  I wish Tommy Talai and Don Diaz good luck and hope their food matches the new decor.  I think food has to look good to taste good. (My mother never believed that, she thought if there was a lot, that was good enough). *Point 5 being the Flying Taco Wagon which parks every day across the street from the airport and always has a line in front of it.

Anyway, you’ll love this; Tommy found after 40 years in the food business, from Hotel Restaurants to free standing steak houses, the secret is this:  Flyers play golf, some golfers fly and by now you are getting the picture.  Yep, and they eat either before or after whatever it is that they’re doing for the moment.  Tommy now has airport/golf eateries at three airport/golf courses and he’s going for more.  So, if you are either at HWD, MAE, or PAO, you are part of his success.

To those of you that eat, and we know there are many of you, and you have email, may we ask that you forward the name and location of your favorite $200 hamburger, and maybe a short story about the ownership.  I wouldn’t dare ask who has the best coffee or the cutest servers, but I am interested in why you have picked your particular favorite and how long you have been going there.

I’ll get the ball started by mentioning that I have been going to the Famous Jonesy’s Steak House* in the beautiful Napa Valley since 1952 and continue to do so.  My first or second solo flight was flown there so I could walk in as a pilot.  I was too excited to eat then, but I’ve made up for it since.  How many times have you heard someone say, “Be sure to have those special potatoes”? *Yes, I know… it broke my heart when it closed.

Oh yes, one other great spot that every revenue producing pilot seems to know, is the Famous Rendezvous-Rib-Wal-Mart in Memphis.  To impress the newbies they usually add a comment like, “remember, they’re closed on Mondays.” 

Okay, now it’s your turn, come on, don’t be stingy give us the good stuff.

Don’t forget the Fly-In communities like one we discovered in Independence, Ore., wow!  We enjoyed great almost home cooked food, really nice seat warmers, (customers), and we were away from all the noise of auto traffic.

Most of the pilot guides we own, use or borrow, all list available services and most check for runway length and food first.  I’d like to suggest you also check for the hours food is served.

Remember when there were still some fresh butt marks on your private ticket?  It was time for that first, hey look at me I’m a pilot, ride.  So, which restaurant are we going to fly to for dinner?  I guess we thought there was safety in numbers but I haven’t talked to many that haven’t danced to that song. Of course, how close you can park to your table is important too, after all, we must look at our airplane, what else is there to look at and talk about?

About this time we start enjoying all the creative names for salads, tuna fish sandwiches, and of course, omelets.  Who knows, maybe some day there may be a hamburger named after you.

Taking My Own Advice …

I wish I had, as I experience the real pain of a truly great event being cancelled because too much responsibility rested with too few people.  I have given this advise to many, making sure they know that one must spread the work load so that an event has longevity and never lets one person get bigger than the event itself.  We have committees for a reason and Queen Bees have Worker Bees for a reason, but their jobs are equally important.

On Final

While reading some of my old columns I came across one that gave me a pat on the head for always reminding you and your neighbors that we need to honor and care for our troops in uniform.  This time I want to be sure you include on that list those we live with every day, our Police Officers, Firemen, Medical Staff and I know the list could be longer, but then I’d hear from my editor.

Thanks for your time, and welcome to April, No Foolin!

Until next time…

That’s Thirty! 

“Over”