Down but not out
Making the most of your time on the ground
On a cross-country trip in a VFR airplane with a pilot from the United Kingdom, for example, we got stopped by rain and low clouds in Galesburg, Illinois. Adam Smith, the Brit, plopped down in a recliner, opened his iPad, and began watching a live cricket match. He was immediately enthralled by a contest that was sure to last for hours, and could possibly go on for days. He mentally transported himself to the other side of the planet, where his countrymen were facing the hated Aussies in a series known as “The Ashes”—which is, I came to learn, an epic grudge match that began in 1882.
“This online BBC Sport subscription is one of the best things I ever bought,” Smith said. “I could happily stay in this La-Z-Boy for the next 48 hours.”
By contrast, I started pouring coins into a vending machine stocked with junk food, drank bad coffee in excess, and obsessively checked and rechecked the terminal aerodrome forecasts. I wore a groove in the FBO carpet between the desktop computer and the front door, where I’d stare forlornly at the slate-gray sky. Bad form.
A veteran corporate pilot described one time he was flying on a still, starry night and his boss, the airplane’s owner, was enjoying the view from the right seat. The owner said he couldn’t believe he actually paid the pilot to take in the splendor of such a wondrous view.
“Oh, you don’t have to pay me for this, because I’ll gladly fly for free,” the pilot replied. “But sitting around at Teterboro all day—that’s going to cost you.”
Experienced pilots rely on new technology and old methods to increase their productivity and relieve boredom. Smartphones and tablets have made wasting time much easier with games, podcasts, streaming TV shows and movies, and the ability to interact with friends via social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram.
“Whenever I’m stuck somewhere, I ask about the most interesting airplanes on the field. You’d be amazed at what’s locked up behind some of those hangar doors.”Frank Noe, a West Virginia Air National Guard C–17 pilot, has been stuck at far-flung places all over the world, and says the first thing he does in a new place is open the Yelp app on his iPhone. “I’ve found some amazing, out-of-the way restaurants and things to do that way,” he said. “It’s indispensable.” Noe has been using Yelp for years and writes reviews as well as reads them.
But the virtual world doesn’t mean pilots should ignore the physical one. And just because you’re temporarily grounded doesn’t mean you have to be sedentary. Some FBOs have gym equipment and showers, so bring workout clothes. Going for a run or walk can be invigorating, and you may find yourself less tired at the end of the day. (Helpful hint: Unscented baby wipes and deodorant are an emergency substitute for an actual shower.)
And don’t forget about old-school books. They last for many hours and don’t depend on internet connections or batteries. A pilot for a Part 135 charter firm that operates multiple aircraft types said that every airplane comes with its own reading material.
“If you’ve got some quiet time, get out the pilot’s operating handbook,” he said. “It may have been awhile since you last read it. Take a close look at it, and I’ll just about guarantee you’ll learn something, or remember something you forgot.”
A POH isn’t a real page turner, but it’s relevant. And at the very least, it’s a good way to start a restful nap.
A pilot/mechanic who refurbishes and sells airplanes said he’s found some diamonds in the rough at out-of-the-way airfields. “Whenever I’m stuck somewhere, I ask about the most interesting airplanes on the field,” he said. “You’d be amazed at what’s locked up behind some of those hangar doors.”
Steve Lefferts, an airline pilot with a taste for seafood and IPA beer, recently chose Apalachicola, Florida, as an overnight stop on a cross-country general aviation ferry trip only because of favorable restaurant reviews.
“They were raving about a place called ‘Up the Creek,’ and it really was fantastic,” he said. “I’d never been to Apalachicola before, but I’d go back in a heartbeat just for the oysters and beer.”
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