Tales

The DC-10 crew, meanwhile, advised the tower that the panel had been secured and requested clearance to taxi. As the aircraft began to taxi, the employee on the car roof lost his balance and fell. The employee who had been on his shoulders managed to hang onto the open access panel but eventually dropped to the ground. Seconds later the heavily laden trijet ran over the airport vehicle with the main centreline gear flattening the car in the process. Fortunately, none of the three employees was injured. The aircraft sustained only minor damage though the car was a write-off.

This is a true story! (Anonymous)

All Wound Up!

This is the story of a well-known Flight Attendant supervisor, a lady who was antagonistic about her charges being the butt of foolish practical jokes by the male pilot community. She was constantly out to report any flight deck crew who dared to pick on ‘her’ cabin staff. The supervisor boasted that no pilot would ever be able to make her the target of such nonsense but had to do a trip herself every now and then, so…

There was a spring-loaded handle up front in our DC-3s, I think it was really a control lock or something. Anyhow, our heroine came forward one time to find the First Officer hauling away on this thing because “the battery was flat so the ‘manual generator’ had to be kept operating or otherwise we would have a real problem”. He was needed back on the flight deck so she was obliged to spell him for a while. Eventually the First Officer declared the battery was now charged, she was thanked and allowed back to the passengers. During cruise and again prior to descent the Captain recalled her to use the ‘manual generator’ to urgently recharge the battery. Apparently she turned almost homicidal weeks later when she learned of the deception. (B Sadler, Winston Hills, 2153)

Tales

Definitely the lighter side of aviation!

Do you have a tale to tell? If so, then why don’t you share it with the world by sending it in to ‘Tales’, Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek ACT 2611 or fax it on (06) 288 2021. Readers who have their tales published will receive a six-issue subscription with our compliments. Current subscribers will have six issues credited to their current sub. You can remain anonymous if you prefer and the editor naturally has the right to edit material as required. So go to it, tell us your favourite aviation tale, and join in the fun.

Lively Landing

In 1944 when I was flying Vultee Vengeance target tugs at the Liberator OTU, Tocumwal, we had an NCO aerodrome controller called Hank. An ex-Kittyhawk pilot, he had been grounded because of ‘non-approved’ flying and his controller job was punishment. On several occasions he suggested I enliven his boring day by calling up and asking him to check the state of my landing gear as I flew low past his tower. I didn’t reckon that amusing Hank was worth a rocket from our CO who naturally frowned upon such acts, so I smiled indulgently and mentally dismissed it.

A few days later when about to land, my port wheel hung up and resisted all attempts to dislodge it. I called up Hank and sought permission for a low, slow pass so that he could verify my problem. With undisguised enthusiasm he said he’d be absolutely delighted to oblige. As I flew past the tower, Hank was out on his “balcony” to fully enjoy the show. I can still see the smile fade from his face as he spotted only the starboard wheel and tail wheel extended, and realized he had a live one. Hank came through like a real pro and soon had the fire tender and ambulance in position. When I brought the Vengeance in for a wheels-up landing beside the runway and ground to a halt in a cloud of dust, Hank strolled up with an irrepressible grin. I’d livened up his day after all. (A Place, Cammeray, 2065)

You Rang?

Although it is a relatively small company, we still manage to attract quite a few personalities among the ranks of our flight attendants. This is particularly noticeable in the way that they prioritise the nourishment of the flight crew whilst they conduct the cabin service. While we have one “flighty” commonly known as Top O’ Descent (because damned if you’ll get a bite to eat or something to drink any sooner), we have at least one other who usually has coffee through the door before we’re even 10 DME Sydney. Some consider the galley their kingdom but we just hope that they don’t forget the poor serfs up front.

One very noticeable instance of dedication to duty occurred quite recently and although it may not have been fully appreciated at the time, it certainly bears mentioning here. This particular hostess is known for a job well done even if she does sometimes take it all just a tad too seriously. While on an RPT run the aircraft suffered a rapid decompression due to a fault with a valve. The boys up front carried out the mandatory checks and rapidly lost altitude as prescribed. With a little imagination you could picture the cockpit yourself. Checklists, oxygen masks and arms-a-flurry, the nose down at 30 degrees and the VSI just nudging 6000ft/min earthward. Just at this point the cockpit door opened and in walked our most dedicated attendant with two steaming cuppas. Given the deck angle, I think she deserved commendation for not spilling a drop, but alas, in the heat of the moment the crews’ reaction remains unprintable! (Anonymous)