Air Evac

As much as I love this helicopter, I hate to see it fly in at times. Mostly because it lands under extreme circumstances and leaves you standing helplessly by. However, I have found that it’s an opportunity to stand in the gap and pray hard for another. Thereby giving HOPE rein.

Air Evac First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people! Timothy 2:1

 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Magazine Cover — Take 2

Yesterday, after some debate over a failed magazine shot, I designed two new covers. Mostly because it’s fun for me, and God encouraged me to try again. (Click to Enlarge)

My magazine cover by Lady Deidre

Phoebus Poster by Lady DeidreWhen your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:5

Douglas A-26B Invader

This A-26 Invader has been on static display at the local VFW since 1957. Due to neglect and corrosion the scrap yard loomed ahead, but the aircraft was saved by two wonderful veterans who were willing to put 3000, labor of love, hours in to restoring her.

Invader - 3Before it became a museum piece, the A-26 Invader was used as a trainer to teach new squadrons back in the World War II era. It also flew in the Korean war for surveillance purposes.

It was my great pleasure to photograph the Invader from the blessed 172, new engined, aircraft. Click to enlarge.

Invader And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body. And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. Ezekiel 1:23,24

Launching!

Occasionally when the airplane is up for repair the glider pilots use the winch to do ground launches.This winch sports a Chevy 383 V-8 with a 5,000 foot rope system.

How it works: The glider is placed on one end of the runway and the winch on the opposite end about 500 ft in the grass. They hook the rope to the glider and the winch pulls it into the air at about 55 miles an hour.

Honestly, it looks we’re flying a big kite. In the pic below, I’m standing near the winch and the rope is to the right.

In the pic below is a 2-33 glider, which is primarily used for training and reaches about 1500 to 1600 ft above ground level before it releases.

The next photo is a 1-26, single seat, and can reach an altitude of 1800 to 1900 ft before she sails off into the blue sky.

From a glider standpoint, the ride feels like a roller coaster on the way up. It’s very steep and you cannot see anything in front of you. When the rope releases the glider drops briefly, and you’ll find yourself taking a breath as the nose dips, but soon due to aerodynamics you’re flying across the sky.  Below is a 304 CZ glider with an orange drogue chute.

And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; Psalm 55:6

Where’s the Fuel?

Steve and I were out doing an aerial when he announced, “I’m low on fuel.”

“Well lets head back in,” I urgently replied.

He eyed the gauges. “One more round.”

“Okay.” I stuck my head out the window and clicked the shutter button with lightening speed. I popped my head back into the cockpit. “I’m done.” (In my defense I’m not a fume flyer, and I already had over two hundred photos.)

Steve nodded and flew toward the runway. Suddenly, he put the plane in a barrel roll. “What are you doing!” I cried from an upside down position. “What about the fuel?” (I was sure the av-gas was nowhere near the engine where I wanted it.)

“I’m stirring the tanks.” Steve laughed. “How about a slip?”

“I just did a slip last week,” I assured him as he lowered the left wing sharply toward land. (Wonderful, now our short supply of fuel was sloshing somewhere in the wingtip.)

My funny and amused pilot righted the plane and set it on the runway. It reminded me to be thankful for the Lord’s Angels whom I prayed for prior to the flight.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91: 11 & 12

Boxing the Wake

Russ, soaring instructor extraordinaire, got this brilliant idea that we should take photos via from the cockpit of the 2-33 while boxing the wake. This training exercise is used to move the glider around the aircraft turbulence while keeping the plane in sight. Sounds like an easy photo shoot, right!

Well in smooth air it would have been! However, we didn’t count on the thermals kicking off quite so soon. We bounced across the sky as if we’d gone rodeo. And taking photos with ones head slamming against the canopy, proved interesting.

Worse yet was the landing. We hauled freight toward the end of runway with one wing down when Russ said, “I’m slipping it in.”

I cried, “For Pete sake! We’re coming in HOT!”

Even with the extreme speed, bouncing glider, and leaning wing, we actually landed short of the runway and skid to a stop. Later when Russ examined the photos, he commented, “I noticed you got one on our landing!”

I laughed. “I wasn’t going down without one last photo!” A forensic idea, you might say.

Incline your ear to me; Rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! Psalm 31:2

Extreme Airport Skiing!

When the winds turn bad, anything is possible at the airport!

Dr. Keith, great all-around guy, decided to ski in 107 degrees while dragging a tire. He would say, “If you can’t fly, exercise.” He would also let you know that he is the only person in the Midwest to own grass skis. (And I can see why.)

Shaking my head, I got the camera ready for the big event. “Hey, Bull Dog, do you need me to bring you some Gatorade while your out there?”

“No, just make sure I’m still standing occasionally,” a smiling Keith replied.

As Keith started skiing north toward the windsock, I hurried outside. In an ankle length dress and sandals, I dashed across the cracked, rough, and hilly ground to get myself into position.

Keith called, “Will you do anything to catch a photo?”

“Almost,” I yell back as I ran past him. If I didn’t capture this moment, who would believe me when I said, “A man skied 2 miles, in extreme heat, towing rubber around the runway. It should go in some sort of record book. I think Keith deserves some sort of badge or button that says, If I’m not in the air, come find me, I may be under the tire.   Click to enlarge photo for a better view, if you dare.

And his name — by faith in his name — has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

Rv8

Occasionally, Steve will inform a pilot, on take-off, that I will be wielding a camera. To my great surprise this Rv8 owner put on a fantastic performance.  I didn’t even care what he was blowing out his Rv8 — I loved it! The pilots later informed me it was smoker oil. I am now a huge fan of the smoker oil! Yahooooo!  Just click photo to enlarge!

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles . . . Isaiah 40:31

Raising the Windsock

Every year our windsock becomes nothing more than tattered tails. The pilots gaze at the sock with sad searching eyes seeking wind direction and finding rubbish.

So our annual raising of the windsock is a glorious day! Maybe not as noble as Iwo Jima where the soldiers raised the American flag, but a proud moment for our pilots as they stand the beaming florescent orange sock  to attention!

Thank you, noble pilots, for your dedication!

Below is Ryan in his Discus on launch.

And we bring you good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “You are my son, today I have begotten you.”  Acts 13:33