John J
Line Up and Wait
I wanted to share some more line boy notes with you all, about working on the ground with pilots and planes. One of the worst jobs was cleaning bellies of twin engine planes.
The absolute worst belly cleaning job I ever had to do was when brand new Beech Baron owner landed his brand new 1962 Beech Baron on a runway that had just been blacktop. I was 17 at the time working part time at GAI when the Baron first came out. Well the new owner and new plane took off early to visit an airport down in VA that was sod and literally the day before had just been black topped. I will never forget when he came back for he flew with the gear down for he put so much tar into the nose and main wheel wells plus the belly.
My boss told me that I was the "kid for the job" In those days Carbon Tech. was still being used. Long story short I spend 4 days full time working on that Baron. I got to know every rivet, gear assembly and gosh knows what else The lead mechanic even tried Varsal. But it was 4 solid days of just working by hand to get the stuff off. I was very proud for I did not chip the paint. Interesting the owner never thank me or my boss. My boss did take me up in a Baron later and that is another story.
As a line boy working for flying hours and not much pay cleaning bellies you learn a lot about landing gears as you work. I find, today as I do walk arounds I still craw under the wings and nose to check the gear. Plus check the belly for excessive oil or anything that does not look right. I appreciate all those 4 years working and learning at the airport.
Thank you for reading
John J
The absolute worst belly cleaning job I ever had to do was when brand new Beech Baron owner landed his brand new 1962 Beech Baron on a runway that had just been blacktop. I was 17 at the time working part time at GAI when the Baron first came out. Well the new owner and new plane took off early to visit an airport down in VA that was sod and literally the day before had just been black topped. I will never forget when he came back for he flew with the gear down for he put so much tar into the nose and main wheel wells plus the belly.
My boss told me that I was the "kid for the job" In those days Carbon Tech. was still being used. Long story short I spend 4 days full time working on that Baron. I got to know every rivet, gear assembly and gosh knows what else The lead mechanic even tried Varsal. But it was 4 solid days of just working by hand to get the stuff off. I was very proud for I did not chip the paint. Interesting the owner never thank me or my boss. My boss did take me up in a Baron later and that is another story.
As a line boy working for flying hours and not much pay cleaning bellies you learn a lot about landing gears as you work. I find, today as I do walk arounds I still craw under the wings and nose to check the gear. Plus check the belly for excessive oil or anything that does not look right. I appreciate all those 4 years working and learning at the airport.
Thank you for reading
John J
