Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Geometry of the Night Sky
Position: 40 miles south of ChicagoAltitude: 39,000 feet
Groundspeed: 610 m.p.h.
Destination: New York City
Time: 2:30 A.M. local
The half way point is ten minutes ahead; thank goodness. Day number one of a night trip is always the toughest, because the pilot must switch the internal clock to the vampire mode after living in the sunlight for a few days. One's circadian rhythm starts kicking in about this time, though, and it is a mental battle to stay awake. A few minutes ago I visualized drifting over the center-line on my Japanese death missile and hitting a truck head-on; good-bye Captain Dave. My next thought: My buds lined up at the front door offering condolences to my beautiful wife, suddenly a beautiful widow. I am not sleepy anymore, because I know how pilots operate... Must make a note to myself... Slow down more in the curves.
Outside, soft white moon light bathes the air frame and the cloud deck far below. The air mass has been smooth this morning, so far. The moon is directly above the flightdeck, out of sight but not out of mind. I can see some of my favorite asterisms (constellations) overhead, showing me the way, as they have been showing Captains for centuries. Oh, how I love the geometry of God's night sky.
All systems operating normally... Fuel situation is acceptable: 50 minutes at JFK. The big aluminum bird is happy. The Captain is happy... Life is good.
Comments:
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You are an excellent writer, and from your accounts an excellent pilot as well. Believe it or not, whenever I'm flying now-a-days I'm actually wondering if you're piloting the aircraft. Thanks for bringing back the glamor and excitement to what many have taken for granted.
Great writing skills, it's a joy reading your post while Im sitting on the ground dreaming to be back in the air, at the time taking flying lessons, pursuing a professional carrer on aviation. Vic.
PS Keep the good work. Those holdings seems to be an eternity!. Also a good copilation for a book might turn you rich ;-), or richer if that's the case!. Regards, from Dominican Republic.
PS Keep the good work. Those holdings seems to be an eternity!. Also a good copilation for a book might turn you rich ;-), or richer if that's the case!. Regards, from Dominican Republic.
Excellent read. Love reading about the respect you have for the wife of your youth and the other woman - the Japanese Death Missile.
On expanding the picture i happen to notice some three objects etched onto the lower left copilots windshield. What are they?
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On expanding the picture i happen to notice some three objects etched onto the lower left copilots windshield. What are they?
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