Lessons Learned

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, 

we learn that life is short and 

there is no time for hate.”

—Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

Plane and Pilot

Friday's Fabulous Flyers! 

Bharat Lakshmanan

Agraduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach FL, 2017, with a degree in B.S. in Aeronautics, Bharat Lakshmanan, is destined to become a Airline Pilot! His passion flies, as does the amount of effort this young man has taken to become part of history. We often wonder what fuels aviation passion, or more importantly where it begins. Today we can see both. 

Bharat:

"I have been interested in aviation since I was a little kid. I went to a lot of airshows, and flew to India every Summer to visit family. At first, I was not certain on what exactly I wanted to do in the aviation field. In 2004, I made a road trip to Washington D.C. to meet some family."

During my stay there, we went plane spotting at Gravelly Point Park at Ronald Regan Washington National Airport. As I lied down on the grass and watched all the airplanes fly right over me during takeoff or landing, I said to myself 

“This is what I am going to do when I grow up.”

This is when my interest in flying developed. At the age of 12, I went for an introductory flight lesson in a Cessna 152 at Ormond Beach Municipal Airport. After making that flight I just got hooked to flying. I am currently pursuing my Instrument Rating, and plan to attain the rest my certifications and required flight hours to get employed by the airlines.

"Just a couple days ago, on September 5, 2017, I had the honor to take part in the most unique opportunity I could have ever gotten in my entire life. I got to fly on the very last domestic Boeing 747 revenue flight for Delta Air Lines from LAX-DTW operating as flight DL1352." 

"This was my very first AND very last flight on a U.S. operated 747, and I could not have been any happier than flying aboard Ship 6309 (N669US) as she performed this historical journey. It was a very bittersweet moment knowing that this would be the last time I may ever step foot on a U.S. operated 747 again flying from Point A to Point B, and it’s very sad to see this gorgeous flying machine going extinct from passenger service."

"The Boeing 747 is far more than just an airplane. It is a true aviation icon that has really revolutionized the aviation industry and how passengers fly. Delta really went the extra mile to make sure this flight was special for everybody."

"From special gate announcements, to early boarding to allow passengers to view the upper deck and cockpit, to speaking to the cabin and flight crew about their personal experiences, as well as the ground crew giving their final salutes to the legendary Queen of the Skies as it departed LAX for the very last time." 

"I do not think I could have made any better decision than to be part of this historic flight operated by one of my top favorite U.S. airlines. Kudos to Delta for giving me such an amazing and memorable opportunity. Keep climbing!" Bharat Lakshmanan

The Plane on the Last

Domestic Flight 

Actually began in NRT...

With celebrations and

 heartfelt goodbyes along the way... 

She was Leid In Honolulu

The celebration continued and

 more heartfelt goodbyes were felt...

LAX was the Beginning

of her Last Domestic Flight

OFF To Detroit She Flew

With a Most Awesome Crew!

As a Legacy Comes to an End

The Future Stands Proud ...

Bharat, Thank you for sharing 

your Journey.

I will be looking forward to

 flying with you in the future. 

Smooth Skies and Happy Flying! 

History of the B747 

For all who want to read an incredible book about the man behind the B747, Joe Sutter, and the history of how integrity, and doing the right thing, was the foundation of the B747 here you go. I highly recommend this book!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene 

ThomasJefferson

A remarkable man who started 

Learning Early in life and 

never stopped.

At 5, began 

Studying under his cousin's tutor.

At 9, studied 

Latin, Greek and French.

At 14, studied 

Classical literature and additional languages.

At 16, entered 

The College of William and Mary.

Also could write in Greek with one hand 

While writing the same in Latin with the other.

At 19, studied 

Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.

At 23, started 

His own law practice.

At 25, was 

Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

At 31, wrote the 

Widely circulated 

"Summary View of the Rights of British America" 

And Retired from his law practice.

At 32, was a 

Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

At 33, wrote the 

Declaration of Independence.

At 33, took 

Three years to revise Virginia's legal code 

and wrote a Public Education 

Bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.

At 36, was Elected the second Governor of Virginia 

succeeding Patrick Henry.

At 40, served in 

Congress for two years.

At 41, was the 

American minister to France and

Negotiated commercial treaties with 

European nations 

Along with Ben Franklin and John Adams..

At 46, served as 

The first Secretary of State

Under George Washington.

At 53, served as 

Vice President and was elected

President of 

the American Philosophical Society.

At 55, drafted 

The Kentucky Resolutions and

Became the active 

head of Republican Party.

At 57, was 

Elected the third president of the

United States.

At 60, obtained 

The Louisiana Purchase doubling

The nation's Size.

At 61, was 

Elected to a second term as President.

At 65, retired To Monticello.

At 80, helped 

President Monroe shape the 

Monroe Doctrine.

At 81, almost 

Single-handedly created 

the University of Virginia 

and served as its first President.

At 83, died on 

The 50th anniversary 

of the Signing of the Declaration 

of Independence along 

With John Adams.

Thomas Jefferson 

Knew because he himself studied 

the previous failed attempts at government. 

He understoodActual history, 

the nature of God, 

His laws and the nature Of man. 

That happens to be way more 

than what most understand Today.

Jefferson really knew his stuff.

A voice from the past to lead us in the future:

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the White House for a group of

the brightest minds In the nation at that time.

 

He made this statement: 

"This is perhaps The assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in The White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined Alone."

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in 

Europe,we shall become as corrupt as Europe."--

Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist 

when you take away from those 

Who are willing to work and give 

to those who would not."-- Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as itgoes. 

A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."-- Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government From wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them"-- Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government 

Results from too much government."--

Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."--

Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms Is,as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."-- Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time With the blood of patriots and tyrants."--

Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he Disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."--

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than Standing armies.

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their Currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the Banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks

will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

This was one of those email forwards... 

but I thought it interesting enough to pass on!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Celebration Time

Happy Anniversary! 

36 Years of Marriage 

And Still Having Fun! 

We were "Doin the Puyallup" on Monday!

Washington State Fair.

(Missing two of the 8 grandkids).  

Today... 

We'll be picking Hops!

There is a first time for everything!

More celebration announcements 

coming soon!

Enjoy the Journey

XOX Karlene 

MPS Launches ....

Generic Jet Training 
Device for APS or MCC 

"MPS has finalized the development of its Generic Jet Training Device (GenJet), which is an affordable device for FTO’s/ATO’s. The pricing of the GenJet and leasing or rental options (by the hour) enable even smaller schools to use an advanced Fixed Base jet Simulator from MPS.

The GenJet is a low-cost training device ideal for selection, APS, MCC, JOC, MPL2 and IFR training. The design is loosely based on the functionality of a popular modern passenger jet for 140 – 170 passengers. It is the perfect combination of a common Commercial Air Transport Category Aircraft with an OEM flight and performance model. The GenJet will be EASA certified as an FNPT-II/MCC device, prior to leaving the MPS factory."

MPS’ President and founder, Dick Verburg:
“Students are eager to obtain their pilot license. The challenge for flight training schools is to deliver airline ready pilots. This requires good selection of students and high quality MCC and JOC training. The quality of training is determined by the quality of the syllabus, the instructor and the simulator. With a high quality, advanced jet simulator like MPS’ GenJet, FTO’s can optimally prepare their students for the airline jet type rating.”

 About MPS

MPS develops, manufactures and maintains simulators, which are type specific and exact replicas of the Boeing B737 and Airbus A320 flight deck. Recently MPS expanded its product range with a Generic Jet Training Device. The simulators are based on the needs of flight training organizations and airlines for affordable, high quality devices that are specific for certain classes of jets. MPS delivers its products and services worldwide to Authorized and Type Rating Training Organizations, and major airline’s in-house training organizations. MPS has a global installed base of its EASA and FAA certified simulators."

For More Information:

Or a short video see http://www.mps.aero

or contact MPS on +31 34 621 2777

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene 

Courage to Continue

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: 

it is the courage to continue that counts." 

Winston Churchill

Be Strong. Be Courageous. 

You are never wrong to do the right thing!

Happy Labor Day!

Enjoy the Journey

XOX Karlene 

Live For Today

Words of Wisdom From 

Friday's Fabulous Flyer 

Jerry Ward

Jerry was a fabulous flyer in 2012. His story is one that you don't want to miss. If you haven't read it click here: Jerry Ward, then come back and see what he's been up to. 

As a child Jerry loved airplanes more than anything, and that was just the beginning of a life that revolved around aviation. Until one day, a freak accident end the course he was flying. Jerry was paralyzed. 

"Nearly 10 years ago now, is the anniversary of my accident. That will forever be such a turning point in my life. I always get in touch with my consultant from Mexico, but sadly we've been unable to trace the lady who pulled me from the water. Probably in fear of a serious lawsuit because she may have made the damage worse, she not surprisingly disappeared as soon as the lifeguards and paramedics took over. It would be nice to be able to thank her. 

Without her help, 

I would have died in the water."

Jerry's message

 "Live For Today" 

Comes from the Heart!

Jerry has proven that anyone who is faced with a life changing event, does not have to give up on life. He has proven that paralysis does not mean your life is over, it's just going to be different. And sometimes different can be more meaningful, and with purpose. Enjoy this mini documentary, which explains how a man can go from flying fast to living strong. 

Jerry just completed the 2017 

Great Manchester Run. 

To read more about this race, 

check out: The Big Push 9

After the race, Jerry gave an after-dinner talk for the Aspire charity at the Tower of London,  20 years to the day since he left the RAF and last flew the Lancaster. 

"Aspire aims to help people to be, or to live, as independently as possible. They provided some of the equipment I used during rehab at the north-west spinal injuries centre. They have a group of independent living helpers who visit the patients, one of which told me and then guided me through the process of applying for a little help. As I had already completed my first Great Manchester Run in a wheelchair, and was planning on doing my second, it was easy to say how I could contribute to the cost of the equipment I would need when I returned home.

The setup I am using right now, nearly 10 years since my accident, and 8 years since it was set up at home for me, has remained unchanged. Testament to the fact that it works really well for me. Whilst it may not be perfect, it gives me huge independence which I value so much. Besides which, the mouse controlled mouse alone is now over £2000, so replacing on a frequent basis is not sustainable!!

As I've now fund raised for Aspire at several Great Runs, and spoken at two of their dinners, one in Manchester 2015, and the one in London a couple of months ago, it gives me a great feeling to still be able to help others.

Inspiration Can Be Found Everywhere... 

St. Elmo's Fire

While Jerry was researching music to play for the intro to a talk he said, "I managed to get in touch with a musician/songwriter. Until I started the research I had no idea that the inspiration for the song I wanted, "St Elmo's Fire" was a Canadian, Rick Hansen, with spinal injury. The lyrics fit my life story so beautifully."

"A couple of weeks ago I was invited to an 80s revival music Festival as a VIP guest of my musician/rockstar friend. Since getting in touch last year we've spoken several times on the phone, and had loads of e-mails backwards and forwards, but until then, we have never actually met face-to-face."

"I was left a blubbering heap, 

I had no idea he was going to dedicate the song to me.

The music is definitely my vintage!"

I had no idea St. Elmo's Fire was written for a spinal injury patient. I'm adding another you tube video, in that you can read the words and hear it a bit better than the live show. Inspirational and yes, and this is all about Jerry Ward. But if you're like me you will appreciate the inspirational words to keep up the fight and not give up! 

Keep Playing the Game...

Don't give up!

I Can See that New Horizon.

We Love You Jerry!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene