First Solo in the Super Decathlon

I haven't been posting much about my recent tailwheel time. Mostly because it has been going so well. Turns out, I don't tend to feel like blogging about all the good times and instead blog about the tough times.

Well, last night I soloed the 8KCAB at SkyBound Aviation and I've been approved to rent it solo from now on. The cool thing is, I also have about 20 night landings as well so I can solo at night too. I'll be going up next week to get some more dual for aerobatics, to get some more landings in, and to build a few more hours before I decide to take my friends and family for rides.

When I got back from doing my solo landings, my instructor and I had dinner with Evanthe (the lady who owns SkyBound). We were talking about what an accomplishment it is to become a proficient tailwheel pilot. It really is a lot of work and there are very few things in aviation that are more humbling. Evanthe decided that, even though I already have 200 hours and am an instrument rated pilot, my first Decathlon solo warranted another shirt cutting.

I objected of course because I was wearing a shirt I really like, but when my fiance showed up, she took Evanthte's side (and you can see the result). Anyhow, last night I got signed off to really learn tailwheel flying and I couldn't me any more excited.

Have fun. Be safe. Happy Piloting.

I really appreciate comments so please feel free to comment on my posts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you. Also, feel free to link back to your own blog in your comments. You can even subscribe to an RSS feed of the comments on this thread.

© 2008 — , D. Patrick Caldwell, Vice President for Research and Development, Emerald Software Group, LLC

A Tribute to a Fallen Soldier

I was out at PDK this weekend doing some more tailwheel landings. After we finished up, one of the guys who flies biplane rides around Atlanta in a Waco came up to us (he's friends with my flight instructor) and told us a really cool story.

He was taxiing for takeoff when the controller called and asked every plane on the field to stop and hold while a jet transporting a fallen American soldier landed and taxied to ramp. I thought it was a really cool tribute and it's great to be a part of that kind of community.

I love our soldiers and the sacrifices they make for us. I love our country for all that she gives us. God bless America.

Have fun. Be safe. Happy Piloting.

I really appreciate comments so please feel free to comment on my posts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you. Also, feel free to link back to your own blog in your comments. You can even subscribe to an RSS feed of the comments on this thread.

© 2008 — , D. Patrick Caldwell, Vice President for Research and Development, Emerald Software Group, LLC

Passenger Lands Twin King Air

Doug White, a SEL private pilot landed a twin turbo King Air after his pilot enroute.

Doug thanked god for getting him and his family through the ordeal. The controller who talked Doug down was on the wire with a friend of his who was rated in the King Air.

The news article about Doug's tale includes two soundbytes about the event.

Attaboy Doug!

Have fun. Be safe. Happy Piloting.

I really appreciate comments so please feel free to comment on my posts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you. Also, feel free to link back to your own blog in your comments. You can even subscribe to an RSS feed of the comments on this thread.

© 2008 — , D. Patrick Caldwell, Vice President for Research and Development, Emerald Software Group, LLC

Captain Asoh

When I was in graduate school, I read a chapter from a book named The Abilene Paradox. The chapter that was chosen for my management course was called, "Captain Asoh and the Concept of Grace." The chapter is about the November 22nd, 1968 Japan Airlines Flight 2 and Captain Kohei Asoh.

The short version of this story is that Captain Asoh, improperly trained on the new flight director, made an unintentional water landing a few hundred feet shy of the intended runway in San Francisco. I'll spare you the rest of the details because this post isn't about the accident; rather, what happened after the accident.

When news spread of the accident, reporters and lawyers flooded San Francisco: the reporters in search of a fantastic story full of finger-pointing and blame displacement and the lawyers in search of injuries and lawsuits.

As soon as the NTSB and JAL were prepared, a press conference was held. The first question asked of Captain Asoh was, "how did this happen?" Cameras flashed and pencils scribbled as Captain Asoh leaned forward and responded, "Asoh fucked up."

Reporters and lawyers looked on in despair as everyone realized there were no questions left to ask and nobody to sue. Captain Asoh and the DC-8 went on to fly again and not a single passenger sued anyone.

Now, could you imagine if this was an American airline with American passengers? Our culture is to displace blame and we are unwilling to accept the consequences of our actions. I believe this is why the FAA provides certain immunities when pilots report violations to the NASA ASRS program.

Also, when was the last time you watched an hour of TV and didn't see an advertisement regarding a class action lawsuit? We are incredibly sue happy. I realize this isn't aviation specific, but it does relate to aviation and the concept of grace.

Back on topic, Captain Asoh's story is one we can learn a lot from. Everybody makes mistakes. The best thing we can do is accept our mistake and learn from it. Preferably, we can share our story with ASRS so that other pilots can learn from our stories as well. Aviation leaves no room for pride.

Obviously, landing your DC-8 in San Francisco bay is an awshit. More importantly, Captain Asoh gets an attaboy for serving as a great example of the concept of grace. So, cheers to Captain Asoh, Him, him, f**k him.

Have fun. Be safe. Happy Piloting.

I really appreciate comments so please feel free to comment on my posts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you. Also, feel free to link back to your own blog in your comments. You can even subscribe to an RSS feed of the comments on this thread.

© 2008 — , D. Patrick Caldwell, Vice President for Research and Development, Emerald Software Group, LLC

Lt. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.

I saw a story on the History Channel the other day about Lt. Thomas J. Hudner. Lt. Hudner was flying a mission over North Korea when his wingman was shot down by AA fire. Lt. Hudner made an intentional wheels up crash-landing in his F4U to save him. He was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Have fun. Be safe. Happy Piloting.

I really appreciate comments so please feel free to comment on my posts. Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you. Also, feel free to link back to your own blog in your comments. You can even subscribe to an RSS feed of the comments on this thread.

© 2008 — , D. Patrick Caldwell, Vice President for Research and Development, Emerald Software Group, LLC