And the Homecoming Sweeter.
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Among the various fascinating denizens of the air sharing our friendly skies, there are a great many creatures of habit — but perhaps none quite to the degree of the common airline pilot. This species, to which I belong, takes great pride and comfort in its everyday routines, the highly scripted rituals of flight and furrow, heavens and hearth. Which explains why I am feeling distinctly out of place as I enter the Boeing 757’s expansive cockpit (newly clean-shaven, polyester uniform a bit too pressed and starched) after a six-week absence.
The captain, a silver-haired, strong-jawed man who was very likely born with four stripes on his shoulders, turns from his freshly prepared nest to exchange introductions and pleasantries. As I settle into the right seat, he naturally inquires about my home domicile. This is normally a bit of light getting-to-know-you chitchat while each pilot begins their preflight flow patterns — but the revelation that I live on a sailboat and have spent the past six weeks sailing the Bahamas drives the conversation into high gear. I suppose it raises all sorts of red flags: Here is an outlier, a possible creature of non-habit, perhaps even one of those wild-eyed renegades who still occasionally finds their way into airline cockpits despite management’s best efforts. Either that or my elder counterpart is genuinely interested in my sea-gypsy existence; either way, he peppers me with questions as I try to re-acclimate myself to my workspace and re-establish my old preflight routines. My head swims, but it’s OK. I know from experience that this is the toughest part. Before long, everything will click, I’ll get back in sync, and in a leg or two it’ll be as though I never left.
Bu hikaye Flying dergisinin June 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Flying dergisinin June 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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The Temple of Speed
Reno entices even this altitude-oriented pilot.
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Flat Sixes
Fanatical artisans
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Blue over Green, Tent in Between
I’m old , I’m cranky. Why do I keep air-camping?
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Gulfstream Reveals G400, G800
The product lineup gains large-cabin and ultralong-range mounts.
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Every Airplane Requires a Checkout
Embrace the challenge of mastering a new machine.
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Fuhggedaboutit
Fifty-plus years of f lying forgetfulness
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THE MAULE FAMILY APPROACHABLE AIRCRAFT
Choose your mount —the Maules do it all.
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Sisters
“ Women certainly have the courage and tenacity required for long flights.” —Mildred Doran
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INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?
What kind of pilot should you be?
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WE FLY: CESSNA CITATION CJ4 GEN2
THE FLAGSHIP CJ JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.