The Heart Remembers
I was off. Off on a trip to Dallas TX from Santa Ana, Orange Co. CA. for business and some pleasure, a Training Session. I had managed to skip this, no, AVOID it for some three years but they finally caught up with me. I had stalled for some time but the “unchecked box” in my records finally gave me away. When I was told I simply HAD to go to Dallas for this course, I looked for a time when it was going to be convenient for me. That way I could see my Daughter, her husband, and my two grandkids while I was “filling the square.”
As fate would have it they were holding a session during the last week of March, first week of April. Great, I would be there for my grandson Liam’s birthday, as well as miss the Audit/Inspection back at the center. There really was a God, and he seemed to like me. So, here I am, getting ready to board a Big Silver Bird, well, not really that big, and fly off into the ——–to tell the truth it was high noon and the sun was overhead.
A little “Background Music:” I had flown for an airline for seventeen years, stopped three years before. Therefore, the last thing I wanted to do is pack another “Black Bag,” face TSA, and fly somewhere. But, here I was in 24D, climbing out of California, watching the coast go by as we made a standard rate climbing left turn to put an “E” in the compass. I settled in, earphones on, “Smooth” music in my ears, “reached down between my legs, eased the seat back,” headrest up, and, fell asleep.
I was awakened by the beverage cart, so I decided that this might be the opportune time to consume my gourmet meal that I had prepared. So, lowering my tray, I carefully removed my baloney and Swiss on a soft roll from my carry on. When I had finished my meal I took my book, “West with the Night” by Beryl Markham, a lady friend had suggested it since I was captivated with both Africa and Flying. It’s a fabulous book. Her writing makes superb reading.
Suddenly, for what seemed only minutes, I sensed the throttles of our “Silver Chariot” being retarded as the pitch of the aircraft changed. We were descending into Texas. Up until now I had not glanced out the window since I saw the coast of Newport Beach slide by.
Then, it happened. I closed my eyes and mentally flew the descent into DFW. I had flown this arrival many, many times. I was transported back in the left seat of my beloved Boeing 727. I had flown as her Capt for some ten years. My mind put me back; back in my comfort zone. I saw the Texas countryside slide beneath my left window and under the nose of the “72.” We descended first through the 20’s, then leveling off at 14,000 feet for the final vector for the approach.
I opened my eyes to glance outside for a visual check. From the view I sensed that we were being cleared for the “Visual backed up by the ILS” for RWY 13R. Once again, I closed my eyes as my hands tuned in the frequencies and set the inbound course on the HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator); a type of wiz bang compass. My mind put me back into the cockpit flying the approach I had flown so many times coming in from Las Vegas or Denver when I had flown for Champion Air.
Mentally, I went through the motions all the way down final. Power settings, flap settings, gear down, flaps 30, power to 3500 pounds per hour per engine, and the final pitch change just before the 4 main tires contacted the concrete. Throttles to idle, spoilers extended, reverse on 1,2 and 3, not full, no need. I transitioned from flight to ground, hand from the control yoke to the tiller, a kind of steering wheel, as I slowed and took the left hand high speed turnoff.
The “Welcome to Dallas” broke the trance. I was back in 24D.
I had not missed flying for almost three years. I had taken four trips since then but none were to a familiar aerodrome. This flight had been truly different, truly MAGIC. I really did miss flying. I missed my old companion the 727. We had spent many years together, good weather and bad, day trips flying “East into the rising Sun” and nights flying “West with the Night.” Yes, there is a God, and today he reminded me that, The Heart Remembers.
Blue Skys and Tailwinds,
Captain Billy