Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 12:58:09 -0700
From: doug <dhargrea@shaw.ca>
Subject: The New Flight School

The New Flight School
Flying, Chapter 1
All rights reserved to author. Permission granted to freely copy.


The newspaper ad read:
"UPGRADE YOUR FLYING SKILLS"
Pilots: If you have a commercial license and would like to obtain a float plane
endorsement, and two weeks of Bush Flying Training, then there are a few
openings in our next course beginning July 15th. Call for appointment at
555-8900 anytime.
My parents gave me the money for this "once in a lifetime experience," as my
birthday present. I graduated with my private pilots endorsement when I was
sixteen and wanted to make flying a career. I was told that I had a natural
ability and feel for an airplane. I had only one more year to complete high
school and had plans to go to college. I had been told that having a college
degree gave you a much better chance for a commercial flying position.
Flying ran in the family. My two older brothers were both airline pilots as was
my father. He had two years until retirement. I wanted to fly airlines but
realized that I would need to get my commercial license then build up flying
hours anyway I could.
I persevered through my commercial flight training and had heard that there were
positions open for pilots with bush experience. I would need a float endorsement
on my tickets to be able to fly in the northern bush country. I always liked the
out of doors, being an avid camper, and often going on group camping trips from
the Boy Scouts to Explorer Groups. I would even go on short canoe trips by
myself.
I was reading through one of the aviation magazines that if you had one year of
college and your commercial license, you could apply to this "Bush Flight
Training." The advertisement went on to explain that the course would take place
at a remote lake in the north part of Michigan, well known for its millions of
lakes. The course was two weeks long, and students would be living in the
facilities supplied by the company. At the end of the course you were guaranteed
a commercial bush endorsement for your license. It was to consist of bush
survival, first aid and health courses, map reading both aerial charts and land
maps, and of course, we would learn how to read the water for landings of float
planes. It also said they had a demand for the graduate students. How could I
pass up an opportunity like this? The course would be in the summertime when I
was off school. Two weeks camping on a small remote lake doing what I enjoyed
the most, was just the kind of holiday I wanted. It seemed to be too good to be
true.
The course was going to cost me two thousand dollars, but I had that saved in my
college account, and I would have a job at the end of it. I could finish college
later. Hours and hours of flying time was what I needed.
I was interviewed for the course at the local airport. The Chief Flying
Instructor flew in to interview me. I had all the requirements necessary to
qualify, so the date was set. I was impressed with the C.F.I. He looked very
young to be the head instructor at this school, but he informed me that he had
flown airlines but he enjoyed the bush more and the school was doing well. He
also informed me not to let looks deceive, he was twenty seven. Well he sure
could have fooled me. I was given a date to report and I would be flown into the
base camp. Meals were included so all I required was a sleeping robe and my
clothing. I was told there was good fishing, and great swimming. I was ecstatic
and could hardly wait for the day to come when I would leave. My parents seemed
happy that I was going to combine my holidays with advancing my flight training
as well. My father tried to find out all he could about the school and received
no bad reports, only successful training reports. If they were sold, then I was
set. I would be celebrating my nineteenth birthday at the camp.
The Chief Flying Instructor of the Bush course, was a young guy not much older
than me maybe twenty-seven, although he didn't show his age. The interview went
well and I liked the guy right away. The application form asked all sorts of the
usual questions, but there seemed to be a special emphasis on my health and past
medical history. This outfit wasn't going to take chances on having any sickys
on the course. I was given a list of the clothing required, mostly personal
stuff, and where we would be meeting for our departure to Lake Ommiganchi. I was
told there were four all together, one of which was a girl. Hmmmm. I guess women
could fly bush if they liked, although I thought it might be a tough place for a
girl with three guys and way in the boonies someplace.
The others were all on time as we climbed aboard an amphibious Cessna Carrivan.
What a plane! It was exciting and everyone was keyed up for the great adventure.
The two other male pilots were Buch Kelly a 22 year old, 3rd year law student. I
think he came from a well-to-do family in Boston. Then there was Mitchell
(Mitch) Parker, he was twenty four from St Paul, Minnesota and a graduate of
Michigan State, College of Engineering. He had studied aviation mechanics and
held his call 1 mechanics papers. A good person to have in a remote area like
our training camp. Ellen Clarkson was a pretty young lady who had that look
about her that she knew where she was going and there had not be anyone trying
to stand in her way. Ellen was a graduate nurse and had many hours of flying.
She wanted to go north and serve the Indians and Eskimos in remote areas. The
fact that she was the only woman didn't seem to bother her at all, in fact she
admitted that she was very flattered to be in such esteemed company.
I was the youngest, with no letters behind my name. The only thing I had done
out of the ordinary was to model for a small agency in St Paul. I worked out in
the local health club to keep myself in shape. For some unknown reason, they
started to call me Virg. I presumed Scott the Instructor, thought me to be a
virgin, at least that was what they thought. I didn't say anything, but they
were right. I wasn't interested in girls as I had no spare cash to spend on them
or for dating.
We arrived at the lodge at 4 pm in the afternoon and the landing was like
grease. We hardly felt the touch down, just heard the water spraying against the
floats. Scott taxied to the dock allowing the plane to coast or sail as we call
it, to the dock. Everything was gorgeous, just like you see in many camping
brochures. The cabin and another building were located back in the trees, about
100 feet from the water's edge. I had heard that landing on glassy water was
tricky, but not for Scott. The lake was glassy clear with not a puff of wind.
We unloaded and carried our few belongings to the cabin. This had to be the most
luxurious cabin I had ever seen. Varnished peeled logs with white caulking. A
huge fireplace of local rock and airplane sculpture hanging over the mantle.
Pictures of planes and people hung on every wall. The fir flooring was a
masterpiece of workmanship and was covered with little rugs. The kitchen and
dining room were all in one room and this is where we would take most of our
ground instruction, around the dining room table. As one can imagine, there were
fish and antlers hanging from the walls obviously a taxidermists delight.
The upstairs held three bedrooms and a huge shower stall in a very large
bathroom. I thought it rather oversized in comparison to the bedrooms. In any
case, it looked inviting. A balcony ran along one end and a side allowing a good
view of the living room. This was heaven and we all marveled at the extravagant
location. Scott seemed to soak it up like a sponge. It was obvious he was very
proud of his lodge and he had a right to be. I could hardly wait to get started,
however first things first.
We sat around the dining room table and were read the rules of the lodge, and
what was required of us each day in the manner of chores to be done, grounds
keeping mostly. We were surprised to see one other person at the lodge. He was
an older Chinese gentleman who had his own cabin somewhere on the property and
who did all the housework and cooking. Judging from the smells coming from the
kitchen, I was sure we were going to be in for some great food.
We were assigned our rooms. Mine overlooked the backyard and had a small balcony
with sliding glass doors. I put my things away and checked the room out. I had a
small bathroom containing a sink and toilet. I presumed we could use the main
shower room.
Supper was great and we all assisted our cook in clearing the table. It seemed
that we were going to get along quite well. All the students seemed to be
regular guys regardless of the letters behind their names. We were allowed some
free time to wander the area and warned not to venture too far into the woods,
even though the lake was always close at hand.
There was a lot of yarn spinning as we sat around a beautiful bonfire just after
dark. It seemed to get dark much faster than in the city. We sat and stared into
the fire imagining what lay ahead. I think I had the fewest flying hours of
everyone, and felt a little flattered that I had been chosen, but on the other
hand a little intimidated by all this talent.
Scott suggested we all have a swim before we hit the pillows. It was a warm
evening and we had all felt the water. It was velvety feeling and quite warm.
This would be heaven and it would also save on the shower, although I had my eye
on that.
It was interesting the various swimwear each of us displayed. Scott and Mitch
wore what I call, very brief bikini type suits. Actually I had never seen one of
these on anyone, and was surprised to find there was only a front and no back.
Ellen wore a modest bikini while Butch and I wore swim shorts. I had to borrow
my brothers as I didn't have time to get myself a new pair. My old ones were too
small. My only fear was I might lose them as they hung lose around my waist.
The swimming was fantastic. There was another dock a little further down from
the airplane dock where there was a diving board. I loved to dive, so I made a
bee-line for the board. It was still light enough that you could see where you
were going, so I made my way over to the dock and dove in. Horror of horrors my
suit stayed behind. I frantically searched for them but to no avail. What a
stupid thing for me to have done. I knew they might come off. Now what was I
going to do. I dove and swam around but no shorts.
Butch and Ellen were standing on the dock motioning me to come back. There was
no way I was going to get out with Ellen there. Butch held something up in his
hand waving what looked like MY SHORTS. I begged him to throw them to me, but
there was no way he was planning to do that. He was going to make me suffer.
Ellen was laughing so hard I thought she might fall in the water.
Scott and Mitch joined them and joined in the waiting game. It was horrible and
no amount of begging was gong to spoil their fun.
"Hey David. Don't be embarrassed because I'm here. I've seen enough bare butts
in my line of work. Yours will be just another one in the crowd," she said as
she motioned me in. I knew they were not going to let me off, so I made my way
to shore. Ellen turned her back to ease my embassement, but turned around the
moment I stepped over to Butch to retrieve my shorts. Every one laughed and
thought it a great joke, as they chased me around not letting me get dressed. It
was funny all right, even though I was the subject. After awhile, it never
bothered me too much.
Bed sure felt great and I was fast asleep as soon as I hit the pillow. I slept
right through until I heard a clanging sound. It was Jim the Chinese cook
ringing us to get up . We had been told we had a half hour to wash, shower and
get down to breakfast.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we gathered around the table for our first
instruction. It was on map and chart reading. We were all given reading
assignments and some rope knot tying practice to do. I had not noticed the
little Cessna 172 rocking gently at anchor just off shore. Scott told us it had
been brought in early in the morning before we were up and that the pilot, Robby
B, was sleeping in a tent out in the backyard.
We would be getting our instruction and check out in the smaller plane. The
Caravan looked huge in comparison. The floats seemed almost as large as the
plane itself. Ellen was the first student to go. Each would get an hour's flying
in. It was hard not to watch the little plane doing touch and goes on the water.
How could a guy concentrate on his work, when all these interesting things were
going on. Nevertheless, we completed our assignments and soon we had all had our
first flying lesson. Water landing and take-off had to be the most difficult,
when it came to flying. It was entirely different and was more than I had
expected it to be. Everyone was happy at supper time and we had our usual
fireside chat and then our swim. I now had a belt to keep the shorts on, so I
wasn't worried anymore about losing them. I heard Mitch and Butch laughing as
they swam around near the bigger plane. They would dive off the float. It was
getting dark and I had been diving off the boar. I think I was the only one
using it all the time I was there. Then I heard Ellen laughing as she joined the
swimmers on the floats. I could barely make them out, but I caught a glimpse of
Butch as he crawled onto the float . He was buck naked. Mitch was naked as well.
No wonder they were laughing. Then I heard the guys let out a huge hooorrrah! as
Ellen dropped her two piece and dove in naked as well. They were having a great
time and wondered what had prompted them to disrobe, even though it sure felt
great swimming in the nude. I decided I would let them have their games while I
kept on diving.
Scott joined me on the board.
"Hi, Virg. How you liking things so far?" he asked as he watched the group on
the dock.
"I think it is great Scott, I never imagined it would be like this. The course
is fun and I feel wonderful. I guess we'll be getting into the bush course
pretty soon?" I asked.
"It seems those guys are already into the bush stuff if you ask me," he laughed.
"Yeah, we'll be starting day after tomorrow. I want to get as much of the check
outs done before we go into other lakes," he said.
"You're a pretty good diver. I'll bet you're into body building and gymnastics
and that sort of thing huh?" Scott asked. I replied that I was and this swimming
here in this water was just the greatest.
"You know this water has special qualities in it. Not minerals, but herbal
draining and things like that. Great medicinal value. Yup, this water is good
for more things than landing float planes on, or swimming in. Maybe you'll have
a chance to discover the hidden properties it has?" he laughed as he smacked me
on the butt.
I fell into the water. I swam for a few more minutes then seeing the others were
heading for the lodge, I followed them. They still were nude except for their
towels. Ellen was non plussed about it all and took everything in good humor. I
went to bed while the rest lay on their towels in front of the fire drying off.
Now this is what I called relationships. I was moved by their carefree attitude
and the fact that they just acted quite natural about being nude in front of
each other. It was almost as though they had been together before. I knew they
hadn't, but this was a new experience for me. In a way, I would have liked to
have felt easy enough to have joined them. These guys were men and women and I
was virtually a kid. I shaved once a week and had little body hair. I would play
it safe and keep covered. But that was to be a laugh.