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
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
posted by Big Country at 7:55 PM
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