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C.R. Terror
Mobility Forum, May/Jun 2002
CR. Terror C.R. the Aero Club Ace?
Lt. Blinky Donivan couldn't help but wonder if maybe he had just made a big mistake. When Blinky mentioned he was starting to take lessons at the base Aero club, he didn't expect any more response from his Fearless Leader than perhaps a few words of encouragement.
C.R. went well beyond this. Before he realized what was happening, Blinky agreed to let the Magic Major contribute his years of experience and act as his personal flight instructor. During his short retirement, the Ace of Airlift had acquired the necessary civilian tickets and had actually made a dollar or two running the C.R Terror "Kick The Tires Aero Light The Fires" school of aviation. It was true that certain shortsighted people thought the increase in FAA violations plaguing the little airport C.R. had been working out of had something to do with his teaching techniques. That was most likely simply a case of professional jealousy.
Since recall, C.R. had "bowed out" of the general aviation flight instructor business. Blinky's interest, however, presented an opportunity to regain currency. Besides, he might be able to get the inside scoop on how well the ongoing romance between Blinky and cousin Betty Lou Terror (B.L.T. for short) was progressing.
Early next morning, C.R. parked his faded green Jaguar near the Aero Club's hangar and, within a few hours, had convinced Ralph Macer, club manager, to add his name to the list of authorized instructors. Ralph, new to civil service, wasn't fully aware of the Magnificent One's many misadventures. As luck would have it, the club was short of instructors and Ralph had never met anyone with over 45,000 flying hours. He couldn't imagine anyone with that many hours doing anything really dangerous. The instructor check in a Cessna 152 had gone very well, other than some reduced performance from one aircraft which could be attributed to Ralph's and C.R.'s combined weight (both had gained a few pounds recently).
By the time Blinky arrived for the first lesson, C.R. had been cleared for the flight and had spent a good 25 minutes flirting with Sandy, the Club Secretary.
After what seemed to Blinky to be a remarkably short prebrief, the Dynamic Twosome left the safety of the clubhouse and winding their way around a group of cub scouts on an orientation they headed for a nearby Cessna.
"Blinky m'lad, the first thing you need to discover is how to do a proper preflight. I have in my hand, the official aero club checklist to achieve this task. As you can see, it's a comprehensive document ensuring the aircraft is ready to fly. Of course, by the time you accumulate as many hours as I have, a written checklist is no longer required; memory does the trick. So, to expedite matters I'll just look things over."
"C.R., are you sure that's a good idea? Isn't this a good opportunity to give me some OJT on checklist use?"
"Tut, Tut, Blinky, all in time. Today's ride need not be encumbered with details; one quick walkaround to ensure no stray tiedowns or wheel chocks are attempting to foil us, and we'll be on our way.
Experience having taught Blinky that any attempt to change C.R.'s mind was seldom successful, he only shook his head and made his way to the cockpit door.
Minutes later, Blinky discovered just how small the cockpit of a C 152 is-especially when the person in the other seat is taking up more than half the available space. In fact, it appeared the only way for Blinky to comfortably buckle his seat belt would be for him to enter the cockpit first. But, gentle soul that he is, Blinky didn't want to say anything that could be considered offensiveespecially since C.R. might end up being Blinky's cousin-in-law.
The relationship between Blinky and B.L.T. had developed quite nicely. In fact, part of the reason Blinky decided to get his private pilot's license was so he and B.L.T. could take weekend trips to her hometown using aero club airplanes. The roads to Boonsville weren't very good, but the town did have a Cessna-sized airfield.
"Blinky, m'lad, give ground control a call and ask for our taxi clearance. Make sure you tell them we have the current ATIS-information Bravo-and request a departure to the south. Whatever you do, don't tell'm you're a student pilot. If you do, they'll put ya on the bottom of the priority list."
"In ground school, they said it was a good idea to let ATC know your student status," replied Blinky.
"Nonsense, m'boy. Did you intend to hold here until your medical expires? Many ATC types seem overly cautious when it comes to student capabilities, and we end up waiting."
Reluctantly following C.R.'s instruction, Blinky made the required call to ground control and, after receiving the proper authorization, the Deadly Duo cranked up the Cessna's mighty engine and made their way to the hold line. Upon arrival at the appointed spot, C.R. commenced an abbreviated engine run, instructing Blinky to ask for an immediate departure. Much to C.R.'s surprise and Blinky's concern, Tower responded with an "Immediate takeoff approved, inbound traffic on final."
