The New Flight School Flying, Chapter 1 All rights reserved to author. Permission granted to freely copy.
The newspaper ad read: "UPGRADE YOUR FLYING SKILLS" Pilots: If you have a commercial license and would like to obtain a float plane endorsement, and two weeks of Bush Flying Training, then there are a few openings in our next course beginning July 15th. Call for appointment at 555-8900 anytime. My parents gave me the money for this "once in a lifetime experience," as my birthday present. I graduated with my private pilots endorsement when I was sixteen and wanted to make flying a career. I was told that I had a natural ability and feel for an airplane. I had only one more year to complete high school and had plans to go to college. I had been told that having a college degree gave you a much better chance for a commercial flying position. Flying ran in the family. My two older brothers were both airline pilots as was my father. He had two years until retirement. I wanted to fly airlines but realized that I would need to get my commercial license then build up flying hours anyway I could. I persevered through my commercial flight training and had heard that there were positions open for pilots with bush experience. I would need a float endorsement on my tickets to be able to fly in the northern bush country. I always liked the out of doors, being an avid camper, and often going on group camping trips from the Boy Scouts to Explorer Groups. I would even go on short canoe trips by myself. I was reading through one of the aviation magazines that if you had one year of college and your commercial license, you could apply to this "Bush Flight Training." The advertisement went on to explain that the course would take place at a remote lake in the north part of Michigan, well known for its millions of lakes. The course was two weeks long, and students would be living in the facilities supplied by the company. At the end of the course you were guaranteed a commercial bush endorsement for your license. It was to consist of bush survival, first aid and health courses, map reading both aerial charts and land maps, and of course, we would learn how to read the water for landings of float planes. It also said they had a demand for the graduate students. How could I pass up an opportunity like this? The course would be in the summertime when I was off school. Two weeks camping on a small remote lake doing what I enjoyed the most, was just the kind of holiday I wanted. It seemed to be too good to be true. The course was going to cost me two thousand dollars, but I had that saved in my college account, and I would have a job at the end of it. I could finish college later. Hours and hours of flying time was what I needed. I was interviewed for the course at the local airport. The Chief Flying Instructor flew in to interview me. I had all the requirements necessary to qualify, so the date was set. I was impressed with the C.F.I. He looked very young to be the head instructor at this school, but he informed me that he had flown airlines but he enjoyed the bush more and the school was doing well. He also informed me not to let looks deceive, he was twenty seven. Well he sure could have fooled me. I was given a date to report and I would be flown into the base camp. Meals were included so all I required was a sleeping robe and my clothing. I was told there was good fishing, and great swimming. I was ecstatic and could hardly wait for the day to come when I would leave. My parents seemed happy that I was going to combine my holidays with advancing my flight training as well. My father tried to find out all he could about the school and received no bad reports, only successful training reports. If they were sold, then I was set. I would be celebrating my nineteenth birthday at the camp. The Chief Flying Instructor of the Bush course, was a young guy not much older than me maybe twenty-seven, although he didn't show his age. The interview went well and I liked the guy right away. The application form asked all sorts of the usual questions, but there seemed to be a special emphasis on my health and past medical history. This outfit wasn't going to take chances on having any sickys on the course. I was given a list of the clothing required, mostly personal stuff, and where we would be meeting for our departure to Lake Ommiganchi. I was told there were four all together, one of which was a girl. Hmmmm. I guess women could fly bush if they liked, although I thought it might be a tough place for a girl with three guys and way in the boonies someplace. The others were all on time as we climbed aboard an amphibious Cessna Carrivan. What a plane! It was exciting and everyone was keyed up for the great adventure. The two other male pilots were Buch Kelly a 22 year old, 3rd year law student. I think he came from a well-to-do family in Boston. Then there was Mitchell (Mitch) Parker, he was twenty four from St Paul, Minnesota and a graduate of Michigan State, College of Engineering. He had studied aviation mechanics and held his call 1 mechanics papers. A good person to have in a remote area like our training camp. Ellen Clarkson was a pretty young lady who had that look about her that she knew where she was going and there had not be anyone trying to stand in her way. Ellen was a graduate nurse and had many hours of flying. She wanted to go north and serve the Indians and Eskimos in remote areas. The fact that she was the only woman didn't seem to bother her at all, in fact she admitted that she was very flattered to be in such esteemed company. I was the youngest, with no letters behind my name. The only thing I had done out of the ordinary was to model for a small agency in St Paul. I worked out in the local health club to keep myself in shape. For some unknown reason, they started to call me Virg. I presumed Scott the Instructor, thought me to be a virgin, at least that was what they thought. I didn't say anything, but they were right. I wasn't interested in girls as I had no spare cash to spend on them or for dating. We arrived at the lodge at 4 pm in the afternoon and the landing was like grease. We hardly felt the touch down, just heard the water spraying against the floats. Scott taxied to the dock allowing the plane to coast or sail as we call it, to the dock. Everything was gorgeous, just like you see in many camping brochures. The cabin and another building were located back in the trees, about 100 feet from the water's edge. I had heard that landing on glassy water was tricky, but not for Scott. The lake was glassy clear with not a puff of wind. We unloaded and carried our few belongings to the cabin. This had to be the most luxurious cabin I had ever seen. Varnished peeled logs with white caulking. A huge fireplace of local rock and airplane sculpture hanging over the mantle. Pictures of planes and people hung on every wall. The fir flooring was a masterpiece of workmanship and was covered with little rugs. The kitchen and dining room were all in one room and this is where we would take most of our ground instruction, around the dining room table. As one can imagine, there were fish and antlers hanging from the walls obviously a taxidermists delight. The upstairs held three bedrooms and a huge shower stall in a very large bathroom. I thought it rather oversized in comparison to the bedrooms. In any case, it looked inviting. A balcony ran along one end and a side allowing a good view of the living room. This was heaven and we all marveled at the extravagant location. Scott seemed to soak it up like a sponge. It was obvious he was very proud of his lodge and he had a right to be. I could hardly wait to get started, however first things first. We sat around the dining room table and were read the rules of the lodge, and what was required of us each day in the manner of chores to be done, grounds keeping mostly. We were surprised to see one other person at the lodge. He was an older Chinese gentleman who had his own cabin somewhere on the property and who did all the housework and cooking. Judging from the smells coming from the kitchen, I was sure we were going to be in for some great food. We were assigned our rooms. Mine overlooked the backyard and had a small balcony with sliding glass doors. I put my things away and checked the room out. I had a small bathroom containing a sink and toilet. I presumed we could use the main shower room. Supper was great and we all assisted our cook in clearing the table. It seemed that we were going to get along quite well. All the students seemed to be regular guys regardless of the letters behind their names. We were allowed some free time to wander the area and warned not to venture too far into the woods, even though the lake was always close at hand. There was a lot of yarn spinning as we sat around a beautiful bonfire just after dark. It seemed to get dark much faster than in the city. We sat and stared into the fire imagining what lay ahead. I think I had the fewest flying hours of everyone, and felt a little flattered that I had been chosen, but on the other hand a little intimidated by all this talent. Scott suggested we all have a swim before we hit the pillows. It was a warm evening and we had all felt the water. It was velvety feeling and quite warm. This would be heaven and it would also save on the shower, although I had my eye on that. It was interesting the various swimwear each of us displayed. Scott and Mitch wore what I call, very brief bikini type suits. Actually I had never seen one of these on anyone, and was surprised to find there was only a front and no back. Ellen wore a modest bikini while Butch and I wore swim shorts. I had to borrow my brothers as I didn't have time to get myself a new pair. My old ones were too small. My only fear was I might lose them as they hung lose around my waist. The swimming was fantastic. There was another dock a little further down from the airplane dock where there was a diving board. I loved to dive, so I made a bee-line for the board. It was still light enough that you could see where you were going, so I made my way over to the dock and dove in. Horror of horrors my suit stayed behind. I frantically searched for them but to no avail. What a stupid thing for me to have done. I knew they might come off. Now what was I going to do. I dove and swam around but no shorts. Butch and Ellen were standing on the dock motioning me to come back. There was no way I was going to get out with Ellen there. Butch held something up in his hand waving what looked like MY SHORTS. I begged him to throw them to me, but there was no way he was planning to do that. He was going to make me suffer. Ellen was laughing so hard I thought she might fall in the water. Scott and Mitch joined them and joined in the waiting game. It was horrible and no amount of begging was gong to spoil their fun. "Hey David. Don't be embarrassed because I'm here. I've seen enough bare butts in my line of work. Yours will be just another one in the crowd," she said as she motioned me in. I knew they were not going to let me off, so I made my way to shore. Ellen turned her back to ease my embassement, but turned around the moment I stepped over to Butch to retrieve my shorts. Every one laughed and thought it a great joke, as they chased me around not letting me get dressed. It was funny all right, even though I was the subject. After awhile, it never bothered me too much. Bed sure felt great and I was fast asleep as soon as I hit the pillow. I slept right through until I heard a clanging sound. It was Jim the Chinese cook ringing us to get up . We had been told we had a half hour to wash, shower and get down to breakfast. After a sumptuous breakfast, we gathered around the table for our first instruction. It was on map and chart reading. We were all given reading assignments and some rope knot tying practice to do. I had not noticed the little Cessna 172 rocking gently at anchor just off shore. Scott told us it had been brought in early in the morning before we were up and that the pilot, Robby B, was sleeping in a tent out in the backyard. We would be getting our instruction and check out in the smaller plane. The Caravan looked huge in comparison. The floats seemed almost as large as the plane itself. Ellen was the first student to go. Each would get an hour's flying in. It was hard not to watch the little plane doing touch and goes on the water. How could a guy concentrate on his work, when all these interesting things were going on. Nevertheless, we completed our assignments and soon we had all had our first flying lesson. Water landing and take-off had to be the most difficult, when it came to flying. It was entirely different and was more than I had expected it to be. Everyone was happy at supper time and we had our usual fireside chat and then our swim. I now had a belt to keep the shorts on, so I wasn't worried anymore about losing them. I heard Mitch and Butch laughing as they swam around near the bigger plane. They would dive off the float. It was getting dark and I had been diving off the boar. I think I was the only one using it all the time I was there. Then I heard Ellen laughing as she joined the swimmers on the floats. I could barely make them out, but I caught a glimpse of Butch as he crawled onto the float . He was buck naked. Mitch was naked as well. No wonder they were laughing. Then I heard the guys let out a huge hooorrrah! as Ellen dropped her two piece and dove in naked as well. They were having a great time and wondered what had prompted them to disrobe, even though it sure felt great swimming in the nude. I decided I would let them have their games while I kept on diving. Scott joined me on the board. "Hi, Virg. How you liking things so far?" he asked as he watched the group on the dock. "I think it is great Scott, I never imagined it would be like this. The course is fun and I feel wonderful. I guess we'll be getting into the bush course pretty soon?" I asked. "It seems those guys are already into the bush stuff if you ask me," he laughed. "Yeah, we'll be starting day after tomorrow. I want to get as much of the check outs done before we go into other lakes," he said. "You're a pretty good diver. I'll bet you're into body building and gymnastics and that sort of thing huh?" Scott asked. I replied that I was and this swimming here in this water was just the greatest. "You know this water has special qualities in it. Not minerals, but herbal draining and things like that. Great medicinal value. Yup, this water is good for more things than landing float planes on, or swimming in. Maybe you'll have a chance to discover the hidden properties it has?" he laughed as he smacked me on the butt. I fell into the water. I swam for a few more minutes then seeing the others were heading for the lodge, I followed them. They still were nude except for their towels. Ellen was non plussed about it all and took everything in good humor. I went to bed while the rest lay on their towels in front of the fire drying off. Now this is what I called relationships. I was moved by their carefree attitude and the fact that they just acted quite natural about being nude in front of each other. It was almost as though they had been together before. I knew they hadn't, but this was a new experience for me. In a way, I would have liked to have felt easy enough to have joined them. These guys were men and women and I was virtually a kid. I shaved once a week and had little body hair. I would play it safe and keep covered. But that was to be a laugh.