A friend who was Chief Pilot for a very big company you would have heard of tells a funny story. Seems they had one of there executives, who was a little bit inebriated, in the back of one of the smaller jets. Needed to use the facilities, but only the standing up type. Pilot explains that there is a small funnel type device that you ‘fill up’ then pull a lever to evacuate the liquid waste. Passenger mistakes the fire estinguisher for the urinal and when he pulls the lever he, his $1000 suit and the interior of the plane are covered with white foam and urine. I’m sure it would have been much funnier if they didn’t have a several hours plane flight ahead of them and a clean up after.

Captain Lex, you are so lucky to be able to introduce this young man to the love of flying. I’m sure you’re modest as you take up civilians, but I hope this young man knows that one of our Navy’s finest gave him his first ride. Would kind of add to the story in years to come.

When I read posts like this I really think I have my priorities wrong, making the house payment and buying food and such. I would much rather spend that money on getting current and getting the youngsters more flight time. And there is a perfectly good Cessna 182 the CAP will let us fly for a pretty good price.

Oh well, soon, I say, soon.

While serving as one of Uncle Sam’s Mischievous Children in Yuma, I did take on the Private flying in a Grumman American. A sweet little ride… Aux 4 out of Yuma was a particularly great place to practice the various forms of landing: crosswind, steep, short field, et. al.

Thankfully the demonstrated Ability Waiver came into being, allowing some of us to expand into loftier expanses…day or night…

Great post, Lex, and thanks for stirring long forgotten memories.