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WATCH OUT FOR THAT... sigh... silence...
Everyone has felt their heart sink into the pit of their stomach. My friend Noel was no exception. He is the one to have an acquaintance with a tree.
We have all been told “fly where they ain't”. We talk about the tree line all the time. When a pilot first comes to the field, we explain approach patterns to avoid obstacles. With a long and wide runway, it is easy to fly at Ross Field. I started there three years ago. My experience was less traumatic. I heard TREE!!! I saw the branches move with the prop wash. After touchdown, I notice my hands start to tremble. Perception? Depth Perception? In every case, the pilot said, “I thought I was exactly down the middle of the runway”. I too was told about the approach. It seems that explanation is not enough. Now I have experience! Same skills, but experience none the less. So does Noel, Ted, Phil, Paul and others before them .
I have found a couple of truths:
- You now have a grand story to tell.
- You won't ever do that again.
- It feels real good to have a club full of friends.
Fortunate for Noel, his trainer was gently nestled in the tree. The owner gave Noel permission to fell the tree. Noel kept a daily vigil to  see if the tree had released it's grips on his plane. Calling all members, calling all members, tree to fall before next meeting. People were called. A plan was in place. That plane grabbing tree was gonna see it's last plane!!! As we gathered on the field, several people interested in joining the club wandered down to help. A friend of mine who was passing by also joined. He admitted some sadness in knowing that what was becoming an icon, would soon be gone.
Great debate over where the tree would end up, gave way to a slow and  perfect descent. I reached up and held the plane as Ted Conners cleared the branches from around the fuselage. “Noel, only two tiny punctures”. I set the plane down on it's landing gear. “It took a while but, a perfect landing”.
Noel's gratitude for everyone's help was overwhelming. Noel and the club thanks the following: Paul Meyer for climbing the bank and cutting the tree on a afternoon with 99% humidity. The rope gang who pulled the tree down to it's resting place.
It feels real good to belong to a club like this, especially if you are George of the Jungle.
Photos by Therese Bente
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