Changing Channels

I once said that, like Jimmy Buffett in "The Wino and I Know," I would like to live my life like a song. As I mentioned in my previous post, a job change is in the works, so the next song would be "Changing Channels." More appropriate to this blog, I guess, would be "Cleared to switch."

The Chief Photographer and I have decided that it is time to hang up the blues of Uncle Sam's Navy and actually try to make my way in the world. I have been a Submarine Officer for 11 years, so trying to switch careers at age 33 will definitely be a challenge. That is why I am applying to business school. I had someone teach me submarines, I had someone teach me French, I had someone teach me to fly. Business school will teach me business, a language as foreign to me right now as Attic Greek.

I think the hardest part will be trying to decide what to wear to work in the morning. Right now, my decision is easy. Every morning, I have a decision between brown, brown, and brown. The biggest question is shoes: black or black. Sometimes it makes my head hurt. Last week, the Chief Photographer and I went clothes shopping for yours truly. I definitely had to take her, as I would have blown the budget on a few tacky shirts, a new ball cap, some shades, and a handheld GPS. As it stands, I bought two suits, two pairs of slacks, four shirts, three ties, and some fancy shoes. I almost cried when I converted the cost into hours of flying. (At $75/hr for a cheap Cessna, that closet full of clothes is worth XX hours).

Alas, all is not lost. I'm going to take a buddy of mine from work up for a few hours tomorrow (just before I pick up the new duds from the tailor). Then I have to come home and polish the resume before my school visits and interviews next week.

Hasta,
BC

A little history

I have been doing some flying lately, but between travel for work and other irons in the fire, it's been catch as catch can. I've been trying to build my XC hours to get ready for my IFR training, so I've been flying to KIPL (K-Hotter than Hell) and KHMT a lot, since they are both legal cross countries. I want to get up into and past the LA basin, stretch my legs so to speak, but with the abnormally hot weather and the fickle marine layer, I just haven't made it.

During my last business trip, embarked on the USS EISENHOWER and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (both aircraft carriers), I had the chance to witness a piece of history. Onboard TR, the Tomcatters of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF 31) conducted the last operational embark of the F-14 fighter. A mainstay of naval aviation for thirty years, the Tomcat will be officially retired in September. It is being replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (affectionately known as Rhinos). The picture below is an official Navy photograph of the last arrested landing of a Tomcat onboard a carrier (I, of course, didn't take my camera to sea).


I am not a Naval Aviator, but I have all the respect in the world for my brethren who fly (and trap, at night, in horrible conditions) all sorts of aircraft onboard a pitching deck at sea. It is an awesome feeling to be standing on the launch line, ten feet from a Rhino in afterburner, then watch him get catapulted into the air. Much more awesome, although I have only done it in the passenger section of a COD, is taking the catapult shot itself. It feels like getting kicked by a mule, then launching on a roller coaster.

When I have not been at sea, or burning up my hard earned dollers turning 100LL into propeller noise, I have been slaving away at my computer. I will be getting out of the Navy next year, so I have to make some money. I can't afford to slog away in the bowels of commercial aviation, therefore I will be applying to Harvard Business School (among others). Each school requires not only a normal application, but a significant amount of essay writing. It's easier to apply for a mortgage. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

If you have a minute, Aviatrix (of Aviatrix Logbook) successfully passed her CFI checkride. Go on over and post her a congrats (and book a lesson).

For any afficionados of Italy, I have added a new blog to my list, Andrew's Rome Journal. It was kept by my friend's husband while he taught in Rome. It's a great read!

Cheers,
Country

Requiem

Since I have not posted in over a month, I had a lot to tell you today. About some great flights I took. About watching the last operational F-14D flights from the deck of an aircraft carrier. About why I didn't have time to blog because I was slaving away working on my essays for Harvard Business School.

But for now, I will post a requiem.

Today, COMAIR 5191 crashed on departure from KLEX just before dawn, bringing to an end one of the safest periods in commerical aviation history. There was one survivor. According to current reports, the CRJ 100 attempted to depart from a runway that was too short. I will withhold further comment until the report is published, as we all know how lousy aviation reporting in the media can be.

Kudos to the rescue personnel who risked injury to extract the FO from the flight deck.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.