My Hangar Neighbor

dmccormack

dmccormack

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
10,945
Location
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Display Name
Dan Mc
Home Airfield
KLNS
Saturday morning was gorgeous so I raced down to KWAY before company arrived for a short jaunt in the Chief.

I did a full preflight, pulled out the bird, tossed down chocks, and started closing the hangar doors when the guy 2 doors down walked over.

"Let me know if you need a prop!"

I appreciated the offer but wasn't going to agree until I got some history. I walked over to introduce myself, and as we shook hands he said, "I'm $$$ ####."

I knew the name -- rolodex flapping madly....

We talked about taildreaggers and Champs and Chiefs -- it was his Cessna 140 sitting on the grass -- and the improvment to basic flying skills these old birds provide.

Obviously this guy was plenty qualified to throw the prop on any airplane.

"By the way, I should let you know -- I'm on the Dark Side..."

"Oh?"

"Yeah -- I work for the FAA..."

(I knew that -- the rolodex had filed under 'Watch yerself...'")

Anyway, I removed the chocks, said, "I'll take that prop if you're still offering..."

"Sure..."

Two throws later and the mighty Lyc 145 was putting along.

I smiled and waved as I rolled past...

Ohhh boy. :skeptical:
 
dmccormack said:
Saturday morning was gorgeous so I raced down to KWAY before company arrived for a short jaunt in the Chief.

I did a full preflight, pulled out the bird, tossed down chocks, and started closing the hangar doors when the guy 2 doors down walked over.

"Let me know if you need a prop!"

I appreciated the offer but wasn't going to agree until I got some history. I walked over to introduce myself, and as we shook hands he said, "I'm $$$ ####."

I knew the name -- rolodex flapping madly....

We talked about taildreaggers and Champs and Chiefs -- it was his Cessna 140 sitting on the grass -- and the improvment to basic flying skills these old birds provide.

Obviously this guy was plenty qualified to throw the prop on any airplane.

"By the way, I should let you know -- I'm on the Dark Side..."

"Oh?"

"Yeah -- I work for the FAA..."

(I knew that -- the rolodex had filed under 'Watch yerself...'")

Anyway, I removed the chocks, said, "I'll take that prop if you're still offering..."

"Sure..."

Two throws later and the mighty Lyc 145 was putting along.

I smiled and waved as I rolled past...

Ohhh boy. :skeptical:
Click to expand...

They ain't all bad
 
dmccormack said:
I know...

But it's living across the street from the Principal.

:yikes:
Click to expand...

Heh - Years go when our new neighbors moved in, turns out she was a 4th grade teacher at my daughter's school. Wasn't my daughter's teacher, but they did know each other. I hollered at my daughter to come out and meet our new neighbor. She stopped in mid-step when she saw who it was. Then I heard her whisper, "Dad, she's the MEAN one!"

They get along just fine...now.
 
dmccormack said:
Saturday morning was gorgeous so I raced down to KWAY before company arrived for a short jaunt in the Chief.

I did a full preflight, pulled out the bird, tossed down chocks, and started closing the hangar doors when the guy 2 doors down walked over.

"Let me know if you need a prop!"

I appreciated the offer but wasn't going to agree until I got some history. I walked over to introduce myself, and as we shook hands he said, "I'm $$$ ####."

I knew the name -- rolodex flapping madly....

We talked about taildreaggers and Champs and Chiefs -- it was his Cessna 140 sitting on the grass -- and the improvment to basic flying skills these old birds provide.

Obviously this guy was plenty qualified to throw the prop on any airplane.

"By the way, I should let you know -- I'm on the Dark Side..."

"Oh?"

"Yeah -- I work for the FAA..."

(I knew that -- the rolodex had filed under 'Watch yerself...'")

Anyway, I removed the chocks, said, "I'll take that prop if you're still offering..."

"Sure..."

Two throws later and the mighty Lyc 145 was putting along.

I smiled and waved as I rolled past...

Ohhh boy. :skeptical:
Click to expand...

Put's new meaning to "hi, I am from the FAA and here to help you". :rofl:
 
"You don't cite me and i won't kick your azz."
 
I'm a retired guy who does some A&P IA work on planes I like, for people I Like. A few years ago, when I was still living up north I answered the phone. The called ID said FAA Gov.:yikes: The caller asked for me by name and asked if I overhauled small Contental engines. Oh No NOT ME I answered.:nono: No I don't do engines--no no not me--why do you ask?. When he told me he wanted his C-85 overhauled I sent him to one of the large shops.

Well He kept calling me, and when I agreed to meet him, he turned out to be a really swell guy. I did quite a lot of work for him helping him on his restoration. I still feel bad about the engine----but when the caller ID said FAA Gov--Ouch !!

Cheers:

Paul
N1431A
2AZ1
www.indianhillsairpark.com
 
If he knows how to throw a prop, he can't be all bad... :D

Sounds like a good opportunity for building detente... make a friend of this guy, and it might come in handy.
 
rottydaddy said:
If he knows how to throw a prop, he can't be all bad... :D

Sounds like a good opportunity for building detente... make a friend of this guy, and it might come in handy.
Click to expand...


Actually, scuttlebutt is that he's fair and very honest -- don't lie or hide and you'll be fine.

Than again, everybody said that about Sister Ann, the Catholic School Elementary Principal.... :skeptical:
 
dmccormack said:
Actually, scuttlebutt is that he's fair and very honest -- don't lie or hide and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
That's good... and here's a thought: he probably wants his airport neighbors to like him as much as y'all want him to like you. Whatever else he might be, he's just another "airport bum", really.

Than again, everybody said that about Sister Ann, the Catholic School Elementary Principal.... :skeptical:
Click to expand...
Amen!! :D I only had to deal with the "women in black" once a week, and that was enough... ever been lifted out of a pew by your ear (for chewing gum during choir practice)? :yikes:
 
Tom-D said:
Just because he works for the government, doesn't make him right.
Click to expand...


I was just saying that its amazing that someone in the FAA wouldn't know the difference.
 
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