Have You Given a Stranger a Ride?

In another thread the "folks by the fence" -- airport spectators --
have been discussed, and a couple of us have stated that we've always
wanted to shut down and ask if anyone wanted to go for a ride.

In my opinion, this single act of kindness would absolutely make
someone's day, and could possibly change their life. And no other act
could help improve the image of general aviation more.

Yet, I've never done it, for a myriad of reasons -- and I don't know
anyone who has.

Have you? If not, why not?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I have thought of doing this myself many times, but never have. One of
the problems these days, or at least at my field there there is no
"folks by the fence" anymore. There all gone. I believe this has
happened since the flying activities has really slowed down, slowed
down to almost nothing. I guess it's because of the fuel prices, I know
that has slowed my flying down a lot.

On 5 Mar 2006 08:36:14 -0800, "Skyhawk544"
wrote:

I have thought of doing this myself many times, but never have. One of
the problems these days, or at least at my field there there is no
"folks by the fence" anymore. There all gone. I believe this has
happened since the flying activities has really slowed down, slowed
down to almost nothing. I guess it's because of the fuel prices, I know
that has slowed my flying down a lot.

On nice warm days I still see older couples and young families out by
the fence, at the picnic table, or just sitting in their cars watching
although we've had few nice days this winter. They were there last
Fall and I'd expect them to show up within another month or so.

Robins and fence hangers are a sure sign of spring.

As to fuel prices. I guess it depends on what you fly, but fuel is the
cheapest part of flying even with the higher prices.

It's not the price of gas that has cut down on my flying, it's having
to fix something every time I go to the airport. I'm currently
rebuilding the winch I use to pull the Deb up the ramp and into the
hangar. Last week it was the inch and a half of ice on the ramp with
no winch that kept me on the ground. Then there was the day I made
three passes with the snow blower before it quit. It's getting to the
point where I have to fix the stuff I use to fix the stuff so I can go
flying.

The last time I took a fence hanger for a ride was last fall. I
noticed a young family at the picnic table while doing some practice
take offs and landings so I taxied over by the fence, shut down, and
went over to talk with them.

The guy remarked that they usually brought their daughter out to watch
the airplanes at least once every week or two. His wife snickered and
remarked that she though he was just using that as an excuse so he
could come out. He admitted that was probably true, but he did want to
instill a love of aviation in his daughter. I asked him if he did any
flying. He said he'd only been up once on a commercial flight when he
was young, so I asked if he'd like to go. I don't think I've seen
grins any bigger on kids faces. They decided they really didn't want
to send their daughter up after a big meal so I just took him around
the town and back.

I think the guys face was still frozen in that grin when they left.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

You know, I don't see kids hang on the airport fences anymore. I don't see the
hanger rats anymore. I don't see the old guy leaning against the hanger doors
grading landings and takeoffs and tell how it should have been done. Come to
think of it, I don't hanger talk much any more. Where have all the flower gone?
It sad.

I was one of those hanger rat, that someone gave a ride to and got me hooked.
Who's going to hook my replacement. I ashamed that it probably won't be me. I
fly out of a class D airport, maybe I should move to class E airport. Maybe
that's where the replacement are.

GeorgeC

On 2006-03-09, GeorgeC wrote:
You know, I don't see kids hang on the airport fences anymore. I don't see the
hanger rats anymore. I don't see the old guy leaning against the hanger doors
grading landings and takeoffs and tell how it should have been done.

Most airports I have been to have at least one geezer, and sometimes a
geezer shack. You may have to look for them though. We even found a
geezer at Van Nuys.

--
Dylan Smith, Port St Mary, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Oolite-Linux: an Elite tribute: http://oolite-linux.berlios.de
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net

Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2006-03-09, GeorgeC wrote:

You know, I don't see kids hang on the airport fences anymore. I don't see the
hanger rats anymore. I don't see the old guy leaning against the hanger doors
grading landings and takeoffs and tell how it should have been done.


Most airports I have been to have at least one geezer, and sometimes a
geezer shack. You may have to look for them though. We even found a
geezer at Van Nuys.

I am a youngish pilot and would refuse to be based at an airport without
at least 2 geezers installed.

The knowledge contained and disseminated from our local geezers is
invaluable, and unfortunately not the kind that is commonly found in
literature.

Mike

On Thu, 09 Mar 2006 13:44:41 -0000, Dylan Smith
wrote:

On 2006-03-09, GeorgeC wrote:
You know, I don't see kids hang on the airport fences anymore. I don't see the
hanger rats anymore. I don't see the old guy leaning against the hanger doors
grading landings and takeoffs and tell how it should have been done.

Most airports I have been to have at least one geezer, and sometimes a
geezer shack. You may have to look for them though. We even found a
geezer at Van Nuys.

We even have what the guys refer to as the ghetto hangar. They have a
group of 5 or 6 "experienced" pilots that have built and restored
planes in that old hangar. It's a meeting place for hangar flying,
snacks, coffee, a few beers after flying, and a place to learn. They
are currently doing a Sonex as a group project although it just
belongs to the one pilot.

Just two taxiways over is the EAA Chapter Education center which is
half hangar and half meeting rooms. When I was in there two weeks
back there were at least three planes under construction. A 4 place
canard design, a two place Challenger, and I'm trying to remember what
the other was.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

I think I'll stay at my class D airport. I was hold short 17R as a Stearman was
landing on 17R. the tower told cleared across 17R, follow that Stearman, turn
left on Bravo. clear to park. The Stearman turned right, I wish Alfa 5 were
longer. Alfa 5 is an east-west taxiway and the wind was 17012KT. He was make
S-turns down the taxiway, and to look at Stearman you'd think there was no
crosswind. Beautiful.

While I was taxing to parking, a T-6 Texan II did a missed approach. He was to
high and I was to far away to get a good look, besides I was driving.

On Thu, 09 Mar 2006 13:44:41 -0000, Dylan Smith wrote:

On 2006-03-09, GeorgeC wrote:
You know, I don't see kids hang on the airport fences anymore. I don't see the
hanger rats anymore. I don't see the old guy leaning against the hanger doors
grading landings and takeoffs and tell how it should have been done.

Most airports I have been to have at least one geezer, and sometimes a
geezer shack. You may have to look for them though. We even found a
geezer at Van Nuys.

GeorgeC

I have given a stranger a ride. Each year here in Michigan we have the
Michigan Air Tour(http://s127415377.onlinehome.us/) which is in the
fall and runs from Friday to Sunday stopping at different airports in
Michigan. It is an effort to support GA in Michigan and is fun for all
involved. 2 years ago I was asked to give a ride back to YIP with
someone that I didn't know. I did give her a ride, but was somewhat
reluctant. She was not a pilot and on the trip back I kept her busy
reading the sectional. We arrived without any problems and she even
took the time to send me a thank you note.

Although my experience was good, I have known others to be nightmares.
I know pilots that will not give someone they don't know a ride.
Afraid of getting sued I guess. YMMV.

Regards,
Jerry

On 5 Mar 2006 08:23:32 -0800, "Jay Honeck" wrote:

Have you? If not, why not?

I've given lots of rides but not to total strangers. Once when working
at MWC, I was going to take a night flight around Milwaukee. There
were a couple kids always hanging around the airport so I asked them
to jump in the Skyhawk. It was their first night flight. Later one of
them went on to be a Captain. One big time person that is overlooked
is the pilot who has lost their medical or can no longer afford to
fly!

When I was working the line at O2C, a friend had heart bypass surgery
and sold his Aeronca but still came to the airport for coffee and
such. One day he mentioned to me that it hurts that none of the other
regulars that own or rent and have a seat available don't come up and
offer to have him tag along.

I'm in a similar situation now. It is pretty hard being down here and
always looking up there.