Goin' Cubbin'

"And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight."
- E.B. Jeppesen

Folks. This is what flying is all about. Forget your GPS, heck - even forget your VOR navigation! Pure stick and rudder. I have been doing a tailwheel endorsement for a fellow out of Vinton in his Piper J-3 Cub and I have to say - what a blast!

For those of you who are trapped in those business jets and multi-engine tubes, you don't really know what you are missing. Oh - I know... let's get there and go fast and yada yada. Have fun. But Saturday, yes Saturday... I flew like they used to. Wind in my face, pure stick and rudder (remember when you didn't have autopilot?), grass fields....

Some people wonder why I have so much against autopilots, multi-engine aircraft, and being a bus driver. Flying is meant to be fun. It has always been fun for me, but I have found that just getting up, turning on the GPS, and letting Auto do the work does not really do much for me any more. In fact, it doesn't really do anything for me at all. If "fun" is babysitting an airplane for you, then go have some fun.

So, for those of who have simply have to "get there", well... you just go ahead and get there. I'll be the one in the Piper Cub (or any other great taildragger) putting along at 60-70 knots enjoying the view and really - really flying.

Pictures of the Cub flying are coming soon.