Arty's Ultimate Ultralight Adventure

Friday, April 10

Randy worked on his Carrera much of the day; after everything was back together he test flew it and then did a prop pitch change, since he wasn't getting the RPMs he wanted. After the pitch change it was better, but still not where he wanted, so he changed the pitch again. By that time it was after 3:00 p.m. and we were both itching to get going, so we took off.

The winds - which had been dead calm in the morning - had been building all day. It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to fly 112 miles! EVERYTHING on I-10, even bicycles, was beating us. Or I should say, beating me - much of the flight I was averaging 33-35 mph over the ground. Randy didn't have the same problem at all. One real low point was when I was down to 24 mph - and realized that I might not have enough gas to make it to Ft. Stockton if that continued! I was so happy when I got back up to 35 mph - and I actually whooped out loud when I hit 40 mph!

This leg was about endurance. It was bumpy, but not overly so - just enough to make for some work flying. Hazy, hazy, hazy - although the visibility was over 20 miles. Stratocumulous clouds covering the sky, with just a bit of blue peeking through every once in a while. Terrain that was nothing to write home about - dirt and sagebrush. I was chilly but not really cold. I just sat and steered, trying to keep everything straight and level.

In spite of what I wrote a few days ago about my mind not wandering when I fly, I guess there are always exceptions - and today was one of the few exceptions. I had plenty of time to think since there was so little to keep my mind occupied. Just follow I-10 and look for other aircraft (zip). Lots of dirt roads so landing wouldn't be a problem.

What I thought about was two of the things I tell folks about living your dreams is 1) DREAM BIG! and 2) Make your dreams public. Certainly flying to Florida is a big, big dream now coming true. As some of you know. I've been wanting to do this for years. Yet last fall, when everything for the flight was falling into place, I found myself curiously reluctant to let anyone know, other than family and a few close friends. Maybe I didn't really believe it myself- that it would happen.

"I'm really committed to doing this" realization came when a client called in October and wanted to hire me for Friday, April 3. I had already decided that if I was going to get to Florida, I'd need to leave on March 28 or thereabouts. As I heard myself say firmly: "I'm sorry, but I'm not available that day. However, I am available the Friday before," I realized that I WAS going to do the flight. Yet I still was reluctant to broadcast it - to make it public, even though that is one of my key points for others!

As I was flying today, I started puzzling out my reluctance. I didn't send anything out to the 4 or 5 ultralight/Light Sport pilot e-mail lists that I subscribe to until mid-or late February. I realize now that I still wasn't really sure I could do it. I was afraid that if I didn't, I would have people mocking my dreams. The tag line on many posts to these e-mail lists is "Let the flames begin!" I realized that I didn't want to be flamed - even by people who don't know me. It's easier to give up on a dream if others don't know about it. Once you go public, there's more of an internal push to walk your talk, do what you said you'd do.

Once I started telling people, it became much more real, and my determination strengthened. What could have been deal-breakers became a few more hurdles to overcome. And today as I was sitting in my seat, back starting to ache and left leg almost cramping from constant rudder pressure - I thought, "From now on, I'm going to take my own advice much sooner and more seriously!"

Now - fast forward to Ft. Stockton. When we landed there, I saw a notice on the door to the FBO. It was a legal notice from Pecos County, State of Texas, duly notarized. To my dismay, I read the following:

NOTICE

I hereby declare it unlawful on this the 15 of September 2008 in the County of Pecos, for the safety of the public and passengers of commercial and public use aircraft within the county, for a pilot to operate within the county unless said pilot does not meet the minimum height requirements set forth by this ordinance. The ordinance, PCT-ORD-122, requires that all pilots must be a minimum of 70 inches in height.

Furthermore it shall be unlawful for pilots not meeting the minimum height requirement stated above, minimum 70 inches, to enter the Pecos County Airport complex or FBO.

Penalty for violation of the ordinance will be subject to no less than $5,000 and a 10 day jail sentence.

Signed, Joe (undecipherable)
County Judge

And it was notarized!

So dang, here I am at barely 59.5" - and I really want to sleep in the Pilot Lounge tonight. No one said anything when I came in to use the bathroom, so maybe they won't call the Texas Rangers on me! Norm - do we have enough in our bank account that you can wire me the money if needed?