NO-Nonsense News from Fly-Low

Fly-low History

Here we present the News Nomenclature

2001 Photo

These articles were printed as true, uncommon, history, and “Tongue in Cheek” stories. Some odd and some funny. Enjoy!

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First Atomic Bomb Drop!!!

Paul Tibbets pilot

On November 1, 2007, Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. passed away at the age of 92.  As a student of World War II and aviation, I was always impressed with the feat of Tibbets, the Manhattan Project, Trinity, and those who were involved with the construction and delivery of the atomic bomb.  The story was fascinating from the bombs inception to the dropping of it on Hiroshima in 1945.  The war ended the year I was born, thus I have no firsthand knowledge of the war.   I have always been interested in the events leading up to the beginning and ending of it. 

Many people were involved with the Manhattan Project and the dropping of the two nuclear bombs on Japan, but the pilot of the first plane to drop the bomb seems to have been the target of the press, remembering of course that the pilot didn’t make or release the bomb.  Tibbets just delivered it, the bombardier released the bomb and no one knows his name.  I can’t even tell you the co-pilot of the Enola Gay, but everyone knows Paul Tibbets. 

Tibbets record in the service was phenomenal and earning him the rank of Brigadier General.  After the war, he served at Roswell (NM), Maxwell Air Force Base (AL), Eglin Air Force Base (FL), MacDill Air Force Base (FL), and in 1962 he was assigned to the Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He retired from the military in 1966.

My personal contact with Tibbets was a bit unusual.  Sometime in the 1980s, I was watching morning news shows on National TV.  There was Paul Tibbets, a man I admired, being asked strong, hard, negative questions about his role in the bombing of Hiroshima.  To my embarrassment, the questions were quite blunt and to the point insulting.  One went something like, “Don’t you regret having killed 100,000 people with that one bomb?”  Tibbet’s reply was, “No! I did what I was trained to do and have no regrets concerning it.  I sleep well every night.”  I was so impressed with Tibbets during that interview, that I tried to find his address.  Through an old aviation magazine, I discovered that he lived and worked in Columbus (OH).  I scribbled out a letter that informed him there were plenty of us out here that agreed with him.  The fact that his delivering the bomb may have saved over one million American lives, an actual estimate that took into consideration the loss of lives should we have to attack Japan on their beaches. 

My letter went on to compliment him for his firm stand toward the biased negative media.  Little did I know that my letter would eventually reach him, to which I received a very nice reply. We corresponded a few times.  A year or so later, I bought a book written by him and wanted to see if I could get it autographed.  Since I now had his address, I wrote and requested an autograph on the book.  Quickly, I received a letter with his answer, ”Yes!”  I sent him the book with postage to return it.

I found the ease of access to such a high-profile person unusual and his friendliness overwhelming.  Needless to say, I was and remain impressed with Paul Tibbets as a soldier, American and a friend.  To this day, I have no understanding on why the general media wishes to put a shadow on what Tibbets did.  As Tibbets stated many times, “It was a war and one uses whatever means it takes to end that war.”

I salute, Paul Tibbets, a man who held firm to his convictions and beliefs when others attacked him.  He was a good man, God Speed!

Written in 2007

Elmo’s Airplane Factory

Elmo’s Airplane Factory

By Ralph McCormick

A lot of folks want to build an airplane.  Some pilots shop for a kit, buy a tail section to start on, begin working on it and never finish.  Some of us know better than to buy the airplane kit to begin with… that antique car in our garage which was started in 1965 and to this day not completed, is the reason.

Well, I am going to tell you about a man that has bought seven kits…..  and built seven airplanes.  He lives in Searcy (AR) today.  Elmo Everett has traveled the world.  He spent twelve years as a mechanic for Trans World Airlines (TWA) working in Saudi Arabia starting in the 1950s.  He said, “Actually, that was lots of fun over there.  We could do just about anything we wanted to do.”   Eventually, he became Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance at the Saudi Arabian airlines maintaining about twenty airplanes.  And then to top it off, he worked in Libya from 1965 to 1972. 

Elmo was a gunner class engineer in the Navy Airborne division during World War II.  His first flight was in a DC-3 out of Atlanta.  In 1947, when he returned to the states from the war he went to college and got his private pilots license, but mechanics were intriguing to him and captured his attention. 

Back to Elmo’s Airplane Factory, in 2002 I stopped in Searcy and there was a newly built plane that Ken McConnaghhay was about to fly.  It was a local built plane that had its mandated FAA time flown off.  The plane was a Zenith 701.  Ken and I, two light weight guys (NOT), crawled in to this little plane and taxied out to the runway.  It was plane that I was unfamiliar with an unusual appearance.  Not the paint or Elmo’s work… but the design. 

Ken pushed the throttle forward and we were off the ground in about fifty feet… amazing.  I wanted one of those.  That was Elmo’s sixth plane to build.  Elmo lost his medical about fifteen years ago, so Ken does the test flying and after the required FAA flight time is flown off, then Elmo becomes the first passenger. 

This year 2006, saw Elmo’s Airplane Factory produce a Zenith 601.  And as usual, Ken was the test pilot.  The Zenith 601 is better looking that the 701.  But beauty is still in the eye of the beholder.  This 601 is a red and white airplane built by the hands of a skilled mechanic.  I asked Elmo what plane he intended to build next…  “None!” was his reply.  “I’m going to slow down and take it easy for a while.  My feet and legs just can’t take the constant standing that it takes to build a plane.” 

For years, Elmo was the FBO manager, mechanic, and flight school manager at the Searcy Airport (KSRC).  He came to Searcy in 1973.  From that time, Elmo has been a treasure around the airport.  His knowledge of the inter workings of the airplane and his vast experience has made those visits to Elmo’s hangar worthwhile for the younger generation.  Elmo is eighty-one years old.  Born in 1924, Elmo has lived through history that most of us have only read about.   He was less than five years old when Lindberg took his famous flight.  When asked what first piqued his curiosity about aviation, he recounts a youth spent sharecropping cotton with his family. 

Back then the schools didn’t start till the end of September, because children were expected to help bring in the harvest.  He remembers a time when he was only ten years old and a DC-3, probably running a route between Little Rock and Memphis, would cross the sky above the family’s field mid morning everyday.  He would stop ‘chopping’ cotton and just stare in awe as the iron eagle passed above his head.  Soon he’d hear his father’s booming voice yelling, “Go to Work!” which he would until the next time the plane flew overhead.

In his own words, he loves aviation and was honest and fair.  Never tried to cheat or screw people and gave away lots of his time to other pilots.

Not to be out done by Wichita, KS….  Searcy, AR has Elmo’s Airplane Factory that has produced a RV-4, RV-6A, ZinAir 701 & 601, EAA Biplane, and a half dozen ultra lights – all have Elmo Everett as their manufacturer.

Afraid to Fly!

Ralph McCormick

There is no doubt that flying separates people.  There are those who do and those who don’t.  Those who do are in small numbers.   We are, however, having more fun than those that don’t fly.  Is that a judgment call?  Of Course!  But it is a judgment call from one who has seen both sides.  

It is easy for me to say, “Most of my best life experiences occurred in a plane.”  Having flown for a lot of years, I have run across several interesting passengers.  There is one that sticks out in my mind.  I’ll call him Ed.  Now Ed lives in a small town of maybe 200 people.  He was sixty-eight at the time.  His dad who was still alive was in his nineties.  The both owned property at the base of a mountain range near this small town. 

To begin with, I met Ed in my retail store.  He was a good customer.  I will refer to him as a “Country Boy”.  I mean that in a good way.  He had that southern country drawl.  Flying was something he had never done.  I offered him a flight one day as we discussed my fairly new pilot license.  He said, “No thanks!”  I wasn’t offended by his refusal.  I understand that many people do not have their wings and do not want them.

Several months passed and Ed was in the store again.  Our airplane discussion started.  I explained that it was safe and beautiful….   Again, “Did he want to go flying?”  His answer was, “Yep… think so….  But your wife can go and ride in the front seat… just in case you die… remember you said she could land the plane in an emergency.”  He was right, I did make that comment.  The only problem is I doubt that it would be a safe landing… but she could get it down.  Of course, all planes come down, sooner or later.

So, the three of us headed to the airport.  Now, this day would be his ‘finest hour’ and perhaps mine, too. 

Ed was a six plus foot man.  My little Cessna 175 was loaded with the three of us.  I secured him in the back seat… not the best seat in the plane, but he wanted my wife to be co-pilot for safety.  I strapped in and looked back at Ed.  He had a somber face, perhaps a bit apprehensive.  Remember, Ed was in a plane for the first time… Probably had been watching all these glorified TV stories about plane crashes.  So, he is taking a big stand and has a lot to over come. 

I taxi out on to the runway and pushed the throttle forward.  As we lift off, I turned back to see if Ed was going to go berserk and try to get out.  I saw a huge smile on his face.  He seemed satisfied.  I began a flight to his house, which by car was about thirty minutes, by plane it would take only ten minutes.  Ed reminded me that we could stay around the airport to fly.  I explained that we were almost to his house, a good 20 minutes by car from the airport.  That came as a surprise to him. 

Once we got over his house, he looked out and said…  “There’s my farm… there’s my dad’s farm… there is my tractor…,”  and it continued…  He had seen his home from and environment that he had never been before and was having a ball.  I can’t tell the story without choking up a bit from remembering the excitement and pleasure in his voice.  I had presented him a present that no one else had ever been able to give.  The gift of flight… and it seemed to have meant a great deal to him and more to me.   That day the flight seemed to end quickly.  We flew back to the airdrome and landed.  He left with a smile still on his face.  I was happy to have given it to him.

About a month goes by and Ed comes back to the store.  We discuss world events and eventually flying.  I asked him if he wanted a return trip to the sky.  His answer was no. I wasn’t surprised; it took him over sixty years to make his first flight, why would I expect him to want another so soon?

The months passed, about the sixth month after the flight Ed comes in to my store.  We chit-chat for a while, eventually the conversation leads to flying.  Out of nowhere came the words, “You feel like flying, today?”

To which I respond, Yes!  “Well, I think I would like to go flying again.  That last flight seems like a dream.  I want to do it again.”  He continued with his slow southern accent, “… and your wife doesn’t have to come.”

I had accomplished several things…  One, he now believes in my ability to live the hour we were going to fly.  Second, he was going to accept a second gift of flight from me in a more relaxed state.  I now had a big smile on my face.  This is what sharing flying means.  For years I had taken children flying, but this adult had given me my best gift, a gift of trust.  He was allowing me to share with him my world above and he enjoyed it. We went flying and he had a ball.  I think his eyes were like a sponge, soaking all in at a swift rate. 

Once on the ground, he was never to leave again except to fly to heaven.  For years afterwards, I would ask him to go flying.  His answer was always…  “I’ve done it and don’t need to go, anymore!”  That worked for me.

True story with names changed. Written in 1980s. When first published, Ed was still alive and I didn’t want to embarrass him. My friend has since passed.

Ralph McCormick

Mack’ Hangar

10 B. C.

Written in 2004

By Bob Mack

The tower can appear without the airport being asked about it.  It is a mistake to believe that the FCC, FAA will come searching permission to place a tower close to an airport (inquire with Camden AR, Municipal Airport). All over our landscape we now have towers upon towers providing “cell” coverage for those of us who use the magic of portable phones.  Yes, I am one of those persons.  I had no idea that when I started using cell phones in 1995, I would change the landscape so terribly.   I went on vacation last year, when I returned, the man who has property next to mine leased his land to a cell phone company.  The 200 feet tower was up and insulting the neighborhood in a matter of weeks. 

This is not to mention the many times I have been behind someone in a car and had to wait on them to finish a phone call before they could slowly ease their car through the intersection.  Could I go back to 10 years B. C. ???  Yes, I could live without the “blinky boogers” and the cell phone.  I certainly did for most of my life.   Remember the word, “Payphone?”  So this is progress?

While flying in western Arkansas, I overheard Memphis Center commenting to a VFR flight following plane that he needed to adjust his altitude upward due to the obstacle in front of him.  That being, Mt. Magazine.  The controller went on to explain to the pilot that the mountain in front of him was the highest point in Arkansas (It must have been a slow day at Memphis Center).  Well, the controller was right, but what he failed to mention was Mt. Magazine with its 3000 feet MSL plateau is the highest point between the Colorado Rockies and the Allegany’s.   That is certainly a claim to fame. 

The tall mountains in Arkansas have over the years been solid obstacles at which those from the flat lands of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana have aimed their aluminum vehicles.  Most times the mountain wins.  Mt. Magazine is not the mountain most hit.  It is the smaller ones leading up to it.  Those at Mena, Fayetteville, and Harrison seem to be the most popular.  Mountain waves, thermals and general bumps while flying over western and northern Arkansas has, over the years, raised my “pucker factor” more than once.  I do respect the mountains, those here and in all States.

Cell Phone Courtesy

By Rose Marie Kern

Info on Rose Marie Kern

Rose Marie Kern has worked in all three divisions of air traffic – Center, Tower and Flight Service.  She is a member of several EAA chapters and the New Mexico Pilot Association.  Currently Rose retired from Lockheed Martin as a Quality Assurance Analyst at the Prescott Flight Service Station.  

Rose works with several other organizations, including the Albuquerque Master Gardeners, the New Mexico Beekeepers and the Southwest Writers.  She is past president of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association.  A mother of four grown kids, Rose lives with her husband, three dogs, a beehive, and tank full of tropical fish. 

Published in 2004

“Lockheed Martin Flight Pilot Briefer.”

“Hi, I’m November one two (crackle) … ix, papa and I’m (crackle, snap, crackle) around Farmington…”

“Sir, Sir, I didn’t catch that, could you say again?”

(crackle, pop, shrrr)”…four, six papa, going from Springfield to… (crackle)

“Sir?  Was that November one two four six papa?”

“Yes, I’ m in a Bon … (crackle…)

The above conversation is one every flight service station specialist deals with often — sometimes twice or more a day—thanks to cell phones and low areas of coverage.

Cell phones have made life easier in a hundred ways.  Instant communication whenever you want it allows much more flexibility, but the lack of clear signal creates its own frustrations.  Auto insurance companies and law enforcement officials report the increase of accidents due to cell phone use while driving.  Nonetheless, pilots will often use the cell phone on the way to the airports to “save time.”

There have been several times when I was talking to pilots on a relatively clear line and the pilot yelled “hold on,” then came back on the line after about 15 seconds to say, “Sorry, traffic got tight for a moment.” 

Talk about a conundrum!  I spend my whole career working to maintain aviation safety – what if one of them dies in a car crash before he even gets to the airport because he is talking to me on a cell phone and has an accident!   What happens almost daily is the pilot calling to file a flight plan and get a briefing while driving through a mountain pass.  It is almost guaranteed that at some point he loses signal and gets cut off.  Rarely will he get the same briefer if he calls back, so he has to start all over again. 

Most of the people I work with have a love/hate relationship with cell phones.  We love having cell phones listed in the pilot data whenever an aircraft becomes overdue.  If you just forgot to cancel that flight plan and headed to a restaurant or hotel after landing – no problem – we can call the number, confirm your wellbeing, and immediately suspend search and rescue activity.  

On the other hand, when pilots call us for flight plans or briefing and the conversation sounds like the one at the beginning of the article due to bad coverage or a noisy environment, that presents a challenge.

Crowded restaurants, the windy outdoors, and, yes, airports, all make hearing what you have to say very difficult.  We have a lot of pilots that get in the plane and turn the engine on to warm up before they call.  The pilots have noise cancelling headsets on – so they do not realize that the engine noise is preventing us from hearing them.

In these situations, the FS21 call tree cannot always discern what a pilot wants.  Before a call drops into my headset, the computer announces the state the pilot originally requested.  Sometimes the announcement says, “any briefer.”  Pilots will frequently use this function when they want something that can be done anywhere such as filing a flight plan or asking general questions about Temporary Flight Restrictions.

The situation becomes worse when an instructor pilot is having a student call for a briefing using the speaker on his cell phone.  I will tell you that the feedback of the speaker phone makes hearing the request almost impossible. We don’t give up, though, because communication is our job, but you can see how the difficulty levels increase exponentially.

We realize that communication is a two-way street.  We may ask a pilot to slow down when giving a flight plan, but we also realize that there are times when we are the ones who are talking too fast.  Please feel free to ask us to slow down or speak louder if needed.  The briefers automatically take it a little slower if they know that they are speaking to a student.

Our job is all about communication.  Please take a moment to assess the quality of your calling area before you call. It will make getting the right information from a flight service specialist a much easier experience. 

Follow up info: Marie Kern worked at Lockheed Martin’s PRC AFSS.  She provided great material for FLY-LOW magazine. She has since retired but did and still knows her STUFF in the air. Rose Marie is now turn gardener and writes books on how to build a garden.