Pilot/Mech Organizations

Hi group,
I was curious if anyone knows of any groups that try to help out
pilots/mechs with divorce , homeless or other areas? Seems you can find tons
of places that help everything from battered women to HIV help..but not
really any aviation groups.
My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old mech
sport pilot in the process person ! ; )

--
Patrick Dixon
student SP
aircraft structural mech

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:55:05 -0500, "W P Dixon"
wrote:

Hi group,
I was curious if anyone knows of any groups that try to help out
pilots/mechs with divorce , homeless or other areas? Seems you can find tons
of places that help everything from battered women to HIV help..but not
really any aviation groups.
My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old mech
sport pilot in the process person ! ; )


Sorry to hear your bad news. I don't know of any pilot support
groups, but I would think at this point you would find at least some
of what you're looking for within any divorcee' help forum. These
groups would probably have different names in different areas since I
don't think there's a national group for it. If I were you I'd
probably call around to a few different churches, and possibly a
hospital or two. Not that you want to find god, or need therapy from
the hospital, but these are places who would have info on the who,
what, where and when of the group you'd be looking for.

It isn't much, but hopefully it leads you to something positive. I
hope you find strength to heal and laugh again.

Good Luck.
z

I was curious if anyone knows of any groups that try to help out
pilots/mechs with divorce , homeless or other areas? Seems you can find
tons of places that help everything from battered women to HIV help..but
not really any aviation groups.
My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old
mech sport pilot in the process person ! ; )

Sorry to hear it. If it makes you feel any better (and it probably won't),
I know two guys going through the exact scenario, right now. Must be a
phase of the moon, or something.

Pilots are an odd bunch. Fiercely independent, they're mostly non-emotional
(until you start talking about NORDO traffic, or Cessna-vs-Piper), and are
apparently willing to die of a heart attack before they'll take a drug that
might disqualify them for a medical. Looking for a self-help group in a
lot like this might be a far stretch, IMHO.

Unless you consider the hangar bums at the airport every Sunday morning to
be a self-help group. In many ways, they qualify -- and you'll probably
have more fun with them, too. :-)

Relationships. Even the best have their moments. Mary and I broke up
for nearly a year, many moons ago -- and we're the most compatible couple
I've ever known. Sometimes crap like this just happens, and it sucks. But
remember -- things always, always, ALWAYS work out for the best in the end.

Good luck!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Hey Pat!

Sorry to hear you're all bummed out. I get that way all the time too!
Looks like Z and Jay have given you very good advices, more than I
could but I just wanted you to know that I'm here too and I feel your
pain.

Bryan "The Monk" Chaisone
P.S. Work on yourself, concentrate on improving yourself (knowledge and
career). Things have always have a way of working themselves out.
Don't worry, be happy. It is always darkest before dawn. Feel free to
email me any time.

If al else fails... I can always take you to a very very enjoyable two
weeks in Thailand, if time and money allows of course. Hehehe... Chin
up! Buddy!

Thanks Guys,
Well it only took my mind off it for alittle while but my buddy down here
let me fly his 1942 Aeronca L3 in all it's WWII colors and glory last
Sunday. Said he thought I may need a flying fix! ; )
Thanks for the thoughts. Things do look pretty bad. Things will be bad
fund wise as well, but I do hope to keep on trying to fly. Just may take
even longer now!
Not sure as of now if I am staying in TN or going home to GA. I love it
here, but sometimes things can't be as we hoped. Heck I sure wish I had a
travel trailer! I'd be set then wouldn't I! ; )

Patrick
student SP
aircraft structural mech

"Flyingmonk" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hey Pat!

Sorry to hear you're all bummed out. I get that way all the time too!
Looks like Z and Jay have given you very good advices, more than I
could but I just wanted you to know that I'm here too and I feel your
pain.

Bryan "The Monk" Chaisone
P.S. Work on yourself, concentrate on improving yourself (knowledge and
career). Things have always have a way of working themselves out.
Don't worry, be happy. It is always darkest before dawn. Feel free to
email me any time.

If al else fails... I can always take you to a very very enjoyable two
weeks in Thailand, if time and money allows of course. Hehehe... Chin
up! Buddy!

W P Dixon wrote:

I was curious if anyone knows of any groups that try to help out
pilots/mechs with divorce , homeless or other areas?

Not pilot-centric, but here are a couple of links to organizations that may help
you.
http://www.watauga.org/mental_health.htm
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G2B135C3C

FWIW, I've been there. Made it through with the help of friends.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

"W P Dixon" wrote in message
...
Hi group,
I was curious if anyone knows of any groups that try to help out
pilots/mechs with divorce , homeless or other areas? Seems you can find
tons of places that help everything from battered women to HIV help..but
not really any aviation groups.
My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old
mech sport pilot in the process person ! ; )

--
Patrick Dixon
student SP
aircraft structural mech


CAUTION: turbulence ahead.

Now may be a good time for some human factors training and application. You
WILL be distracted and it may be wise to ground yourself or restrict
yourself to dual. Academic study, visualization and flight sims may allow
you to continue your training without compromising safety, and I would guess
that your finances may be taking a hit.

I agree with the other comments and condolences here and wish to extend my
best wishes for a quick resolution. I know it provides little consolation
but remember, "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger". Things will
get better and you can survive.

Happy landings,

("W P Dixon" wrote)
[snip]
My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old
mech sport pilot in the process person ! ; )


[Longish babbling]

Not to get too personal but ... are there children involved here?

The advice is different for kids vs. no kids.

Court dates never end.
Don't say anything on the phone you don't want recorded.
Don't get divorced in the 80's --- The man hater decade.

Someone else stated - do something fresh, new:

Learn Spanish at the local community college, sign up for the YMCA - then
pound the weights, join a biking club, buy a $45K auction house and work on
it, etc. Stay super super super busy!!!

I would avoid the divorce groups - just me.
I would avoid dating for a spell, too. Work on *you* throughout the winter.

I would avoid the radio for a month or two, also. The radio is not your
friend right now - it took two months before my car radio came back on,
often times it would get switched back off after only a couple of songs.

I would limit phone conversations with "her" to 3 minutes TOPS. Do not screw
with the 3 minute rule!! More than two calls a week and you might as well be
pounding shots in a seedy bar - same good it will do you.

You are injured and bleeding. Do not reopen, then put more maggots in the
wound. Heal ...but disinfect first. g

Women call out to the herd for healing. They talk, the herd reassures them,
etc. Men need to build something. There, that'll save you 20 sessions of
silly talk therapy. Now, go build something. Your muscles, your education,
an auctioned 1974 Dodge Dart, a salvaged 152. Anything!!

On this point - do for you. Do not be eagerly "available" for others'
projects. That's too easy to fall into where you're at right now. It's all
about you - let friends help with YOUR projects. Seriously, this is all
about YOU regaining YOUR equilibrium. You can't do that building a friend's
deck, or another friend's retaining wall, or painting another friend's
house. All of that keeps you busy but gets you nowhere. You need to get
yourself somewhere other than where you are today.

Work is a 10 hour interruption in your day until you can get back to YOUR
project. No radio in the shop for now :-)

In conclusion, if it is over, you need to actually, turn, and walk away. DO
NOT stand on the dock waiting for her to wave as she sails away on your
boat.

BTDT ...and more.


Mont
I can eat fifty eggs.
Nobody can eat fifty eggs!

W P Dixon wrote:

My wife left a week ago Saturday and my world has crashed upon me so to
speak. Just wondering what kind of help is out there for a crippled old mech
sport pilot in the process person ! ; )

Hey, Patrick, I have no advice but I do offer you my sincerest condolences.

--
Peter

Patrick,

Having witnessed the painful divorces of a sister and a brother,
I can understand that you are going through a terrible time.

Others have offered you some great advices especially the part
about staying busy. I just want to tell you my reaction in reading
your post which may give some insights. My thought was that why the
heck that you want to find an aviation support group for personal
problems unless it was an AIDS (Aviation Induced Divorced Symdrome)
case? Sometimes people grow apart in their marriages developing
separate interests to the point that they have nothing in common. This
could lead to separation or even divorces but probably no worse off
than staying together. I have witnessed happily married couples with
totally different hobbies but they usually share some other interests
be it in their children/grand children or home improvements.

If there are no chance of reconcilattion, getting back together
for a fresh start with both sides trying, One just have accept the
situation, doing the best to cope with it then move on. Time is the
best healer. Do try to watch your mental health and don't sink into a
depression. Seek medical help if needed.

Good luck with your recovery.

Hai Longworth