Meanwhile, back at the radio-ranch, I’d been running a small “covert” operation, keeping me on my toes and doubly busy with additional pre-weekend duties. On Thursday, I actually (sorry!) pre-recorded my show and was escorted to a top-secret location on Fairchild AirForce base, where we provided live entertainment for 500 troops!

Beer-Goggle Run

It was awesome- all the E-1′s – E-4′s have some good memories with ROCK 94.5 on-base. I was SLIGHTLY humbled, as always, to work with these fine men & women who often give so much to protect our nations freedoms~ yet, seek so little in return. (And to think I complain when the traffic holds me up ten minutes in construction)

Food Is Served!

…So we played the AC/DC “WE SALUTE YOU”, as I tried to convey my personal feelings of gratitude the best I could; Mudvayne, Lamb Of God, and Killswitch CDs & DVD’s. There was the “Pie-in-the-face” of the Captain, The “Beer Goggles” obstacle course, The giant-Inflatable boxing-ring, and the ice-cold “dunk tank”.  Airman Roberts would be “dunked” like a trooper multiple times throughout the course of the breezy-cool & very dusty pre-fall afternoon. And all this, while sargents & command cooked the hamburgers, serving the long staggered feed-line. “better than M.R.E.’s, eh?”  Special thanks to the FIRST-FOUR program, SNAP (Ron Hardin), and Sr. Airman Peters for bringing us in for that truly memorable “company” event.

Its CAMO time

*** I actually miss hosting their “Open House” like I used to (for about ten years), so this was a great way to get back in touch with some of those old-fond memories I have of being a guest, in base-life. And, also, on a personal note: I was deeply touched by the many airmen who came up to me, took me aside, and mentioned how “you guys got me through~” or “When i was overseas, there was no base, but there was YOU guys online…” Or, “you’re my lifeline when i am not home”

Winners

… i kind of had no Idea. I know we stream online and the computer in the back of the room just sits there spitting out packets of music and program, while lights blink on and off below~ but I never really think of those on the other end like that, maybe I’ll start paying a little more attention to what’s going down that worldwide pipeline. JUST KNOW THAT WE REALLY REALLY DO…

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

-=Gs=-

Becky and Joe

of our ‘HIGH IN THE SKY‘ let’s-learn-to-fly-heli’s video series from last summer? (See the VIDEO HERE) Well, her &  Joe, “PhunBobby”, and I ~ went up in the Spokane Airways 172 for quite the little flight-reunion of sorts. I had recently gotten licensed and Becky was there through proxy, curious and learning right along… Call it “the big get-even” I guess, as she was the one to embarrass me in front of all the rock listeners when we found out I could fly an airplane solo to Missoula no problem, but when it came to hovering a helicopter; I could barely keep us from dancing an aerobatic slow-waltz for more than a minute or so.

Safety is #1 on the list. So, when i felt the 30mph gusts buffeting my car ~ I wasn’t even sure we’d be removing the tie-downs, let alone piling four people into the 1500lb aircraft and departing for the hazy azure colored smoke-filled sky.

captain Gee-off

Luckily, we had some weather smarts, planning this venture for later in the day, giving mother nature a chance to relax… As the Pilot-In-Command,  passenger comfort is #2 on that list. My instructor, Dave Du4,  just happened to be working this day, and happily looked over my paperwork. The biggest concern; besides the winds, were the four passengers in our 4-seat plane.  What if someone had “fudged” their weight a few pounds? Or had a 60lb camera? Dave made sure I knew the density altitude of our 2,475′ above-sea-level airport that day was 5,600′ and the Runway only 6,400′ long.

Spokane International

So, I added a “fudge” factor, determining we may be as little as 30lbs of max. So~ we removed some fuel. Now I had 80lbs to “play with”. Dave was satisfied with this, giving “thumbs-up” as we all slithered onto the 109-degree tarmac for pre-flight.

Hot, isn’t the word- It was a freakin’ oven in that plane, with one window~ about the size of a microwave.  I warned about “the bumps” assuring them we’d return shortly if things weren’t comfortable. We’d also scrapped plans for “touch & goes” at Deer Park simply not enough runway available, and instead, fly for “pleasure” over lake Coeur D’Alene.

Looking below it seemed everybody was out that evening! From numerous boats (looking like white caps on the lake), to the sold-out game at Avista stadium, races at Stateline & Spokane speedways,

'Lake City' ...invaded by tents

to the small “tent-city”  on Sherman Ave “Art On The Green”… (PICS POSTED IN ‘FLYBOY2′ ALBUM)

no puke stains, see?

Returning, we found the “big airport” through the haze of some thick BC Forrest-fire smoke, made a rather UN-eventful 12kt crosswind landing, commented to the ground-crew how we never did find any of those ’727 shaking’ bumps reported; Just happiness, smooth air, and the most beautiful summer’s sky one could hope to fly. “Go see Dave”, I said, and “get those wings, Becky!” …when she finished screaming, that is…  in pure delight of flight.

-=Gs=-