Rick Watson

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

 Rick Watson

"Never lose sight of your dreams 

and feed your passion."

"My journey began longer ago than I can remember. To fly was all I ever wanted to do. 28 years ago at the age of 19, I strapped myself into a Hughes 269 (Yes I started on Choppers) and why not? They were fun to fly. I took to it like a duck to water. The following year I converted to fixed wing flying Piper Cherokees and Warriors soloing in 2 hour. Along the way I flew a myriad of different types and makes including Gliders and Gyrocopters. And then it happened. As quick as lightening, I blew my eardrum.

Now on the great scheme of things this doesn't sound like a huge medical disaster. However, for me it was just the start of a HUGE journey of faith. I lost my medical while the professionals delved into the problem. 2 operations later I was on the mend. I had a 5 year hiatus while things healed. I was now married and had 2 wonderful children. Time and money was a factor, however it did give my ear chance to heal. I started to feel the pull of my home again, so I started to fly with others to ease into it.

I was able to do quite a bit of flying even some aerobatics with the Royal New Zealand Airforce. The time felt right. By this stage a few more years had gone by. I was now divorced and living with a new partner so it was time for new beginnings. In 2008 I decided to do my multi-engined instrument rating. I passed my commercial medical (Yay first hurdle cleared). I passed my exams (2nd one done) and I was back in the air, my home, my comfort zone..... Then BANG it happened.

I was on a turning descent with an instructor on board when I felt the same ear let go again... this time I had managed to dislodge the drum from the membrane behind it and it stretched the nerves that help carry the sound to the Cochlea... That was it, medical gone again and I was grounded........ The thing is I have never lost my passion for aviation through the ups and downs, it is my addiction, my guilty pleasure, so I never stopped looking up.

Roll forward to November 2011. Another new beginning with a move to Thames, Coromandel, New Zealand. What a beautiful part of the country, great walks, awesome fishing, just paradise. I trucked along as you do before the call was strong again. I thought well If I can't fly for real I am going to find a decent simulator. In late 2012 I purchased a twin engine simulator based on a Beech aircraft which I configured to fly the 1900D. Many hours were spent flying all around NZ, I loved it but my love of aircraft was too strong. So like many I found the local flying club.

I was talking to the instructor and he asked if I wanted to go for a flight. Now that was like asking a junkie if he wanted a free hit. The best part was he let me do the flying. I was home again. I felt at ease and best of all there was no pain in my ear. The best part, I was informed that I would have no problems passing my medical. How could this be? I thought. Well as fortune would have it the plane I was flying was a Tecnam P2002 Sierra a high performance sport aircraft, classified in NZ as a Microlight!

The medical is the same as if I wanted to drive a bus. It's a recreational license designed for experienced pilots who can no longer obtain the stringent GA medicals. BRILLIANT. I joined the club and was voted in as the Club Captain. I was now right seating with other club members to fly-ins around the country as well as left seating with an instructor to get my rating.

I passed all my exams again and I am once again a qualified pilot holding an advanced passenger rated license for high performance sport aircraft at the age of 47. One hell of a journey but I never lost sight of my goal. I am currently working through my instructors rating and purchase of my own aircraft so I can share my passion."

Rick Watson

103 Reservoir Road
Parawai
Thames 3500
New Zealand

PH:(07) 8686879
MOB: 027-684-0044
SKYPE: Madrick69

Save the Tigers

 

"I am a Fashion Designer!"

I had heard tigers are working the fabric for designer jeans. Then I saw the sign, "I am not a a rug" at SeaTac airport. Moral of this story... signs are everywhere, people will buy anything, and tigers are lovely cats that should be saved. Click on "I am a Fashion Designer" to see what the cats are up to.

Enjoy the journey and love our animals! 

XO Karlene

Air France 447: Remember

So this never happens again!

Sunday I met with my friend Jeremy Carlisle, from Captain Aboard, in New York. We went for a great walk, had a super lunch, and wonderful conversation. It's moments like this when we can take a few minutes out of our day to visit with friends, reflect, plan for the future and remember why we're doing what we're doing. 

Just talking about AF447... the memory tugged at our hearts. Jeremy is one of the kindest people I know. He works hard, and cares for so many. I really appreciated him taking his time to come visit me on my layover. During our conversation he reminded me of the video he posted on his blog remembering the passengers of 447. 

He sent me the link as a reminder for what I'm doing and why.

There is no mystery when you read Flight For Safety that this novel was written because of what happened with AF447 and events that followed. This accident should never have happened.  My post on the subject started an avalanche that tried to bury me. But when you have a mission, you end up with phenomenal strength you never knew you had. Sometimes you need a reminder of why. These are the faces that give me strength to carry on.

Remember. 

Enjoy the journey 

and may they all be safe!

XO Karlene

The First AirForce One

Who knew this stuff? Fascinating!

Enjoy the Journey!
XOX Karlene

Ready to Quit?

Anything is possible... 

just never give up!

August Blogging In Formation
is honoring Brent Owens, 
author and pilot extraordinaire.

Brent wrote a powerful post:
 Defying Gravity 

A must read! 

There will be times gravity will pull you down. 

The question is how you will fight it when it does?

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene 

Sea & Sand from the Sky

As Portrayed by Margot Cheel

Margot Cheel

Margo, an award-winning photographer, private pilot and arts educator, is an amazing woman who continues to give back to our profession. She inspires many, and has dedicated her life to sharing the beauty of what we pilots see daily (and sometimes forget to appreciate) to those land lovers. How did this all come about?

“I came to aerial photography at a time when I was seeking a new turn and view of the world. The perspective from above was exhilarating. After thirty years my art and travel background found a new focus.” 

It's amazing how we can take a passion and turn it into a business. Didn't someone say, "Do what you love and the money will follow?" The point is... money or not, we must have a passion for our work. Margot certainly does. 

Her photography not only offers unique views of property & locations, but helps realtors sell homes, towns attract tourism and conservation groups promote preservation. Her bragging rights are many, but I can't help but brag about her.

Margot is an arts graduate of Middlebury College, founder of Twin Willows Craft Center (Ottawa, Canada), a licensed Private Pilot, and Eastern New England Chapter Chairman of The Ninety-Nines - the International Women Pilots Organization founded by Amelia Earhart. She is a member and past President of the New England Chapter of ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). Margot is one of our leading ladies of aviation.

Not only has she been chosen for juried exhibitions in New England and South Florida. Her photography has appeared in numerous publications, calendars and environmental presentations. She is the cover photographer and contributor to the “Narrative History of Cohasset, 1950-2000”, published in 2002, Treasury of Cohasset History 2005” and ‘Savor of Salt” 2006. 

Oh... and her recent Fine Art Aerial Photography book, “Sea & Sand from the Sky” 2012, has been endorsed by astronaut to artist.

"Sea & Sand from the Sky: Aerial Photography" by Margot Cheel. It's a hardcover full-color coffee table book with aerial views of Cape Cod and coastal Massachusetts. Accompanying the photos are quotes from aviators.

"Pilot and photographer Margot Cheel takes you on a journey over sand and sea, river and shorelines to glimpse nature's patterns, seldom seen. Experience the earth's beauty, power and fragility with a perspective from above. From the quotations alongside the photos, take in the inspiration of aviators and air travelers who find special meaning in the adventure of fight."

When I asked Margot where this book came from, she said, "Basically, this book came about because of my love for flight and the beauty of the earth below - wanting to capture it for memories, history and environmental concerns."

Several months ago she was on a Boston TV show featuring her aerial photography, her book, and flying. To view a 3 minute clip of her show on Up in the Air, click HERE. The show was about the many different ways people took to the air. 

Why did you take to the air?

Margot sent me a copy of her book and what an amazing assortment of photos. More than that she's included inspiring aviation quotes and sayings, and added a visual reference at the end displaying where each photo was taken. I am honored to have this book on my coffee table. The gift that keeps on giving.

You can find Margot's book on her website www.book.margotcheel.com or through Amazon. I know you will love it as much as I do. This is seriously the most beautiful gift.

Enjoy the Journey! And remember to appreciate the view from above.
XO Karlene

Airplane Tech Talk

Flying into Paris today...

Jennifer Lesher, that great lady who quit her six figure job to go to Airplane Mechanic school is not only studying she is writing a great blog. I asked her to let me repost this, as it's awesome. So... sit back and enjoy the great read. It's great to have talented friends.

Jennifer Lesher:

"Last quarter we learned about the basics of turbine and reciprocating engines. The other day, I used the words “reciprocating” and “turbine” when talking to a friend, and quickly lost her. See, I thought I was being very clear, by saying “reciprocating” instead of “recip,” but apparently there’s more to explain. So, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about what makes airplanes move forward without falling out of the sky.

All airplanes, including gliders have lift, but flying on lift is like coasting in the air. You’ll go for a while, but eventually gravity will bring you back to earth. To stay in the air we need thrust. Thrust is provided by engines.

Most small, personal airplanes are powered by “recips.” Recips work through the reciprocating action of pistons going up and down inside cylinders. The pistons are moved when the fuel/air mixture that’s drawn into the cylinders (through various means, depending on the type of engine) is sparked and catches on fire.

The up and down motion is transferred through connecting rods to the crankshaft which turns it into rotary motion. (For the life of me, I can never type “crankshaft” correctly on the first go. It always comes out as “crankshart.” Make of that what you will.) Think about how an oil well pumps and you’ll have an idea how the crankshaft translates reciprocating motion into rotary motion.

There’s more to it, like how air and fuel get into the cylinders, and what order the air intake and combustion happen, and what order the cylinders fire. And the air gets compressed, either somewhat or a whole lot, depending on whether the engine is naturally aspirated or supercharged.

And sometimes turbos are involved. But the basic principle is pretty simple – set fuel on fire and translate that energy into motion, then translate one type of motion into another type of motion.

Oh, another thing? Recips are horribly inefficient. About 80% of the energy produced by the combustion of fuel goes out the exhaust. Bring on the electric cars!

I spent much of last week and the first part of this week wrestling with the concepts of fuel delivery. I won’t bore you – I literally fell asleep several times while reading about pressure carburetors and Bendix fuel injection systems. Suffice it to say, fuel is pumped in the engine, or pulled in by low pressure. One way or another it gets to the cylinders. Sometimes it’s delivered via little individual pipes and nozzles and sometimes it’s delivered wholesale to the intake manifold (which goes to the cylinders) via a carburetor barrel.

We say the words “nozzle” and “orifice” a lot in aviation. I take my entertainment where I can find it. That covers recips." 

Today she wrote about Turbines...a big part of the reason she got interested in airplanes. Why? "They’re really cool and they’re fun to talk about!" There you have it. 

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene