Better than a desk job

[pilotyip]

One of those magic moments, 0900 yesterday flying the TC-47D (DC-3) at 4,000’ MSL crossing I-96 around Brighton, MI, smooth air, blue skies, prop perfectly synced, lust green ground with patches of gold ripe wheat. I was flying to Mackinaw Island for the day. The day before I had been asked to give up my day off to go to a meeting. A meeting that had been postponed a couple times already. I tried to find someone to take my place, but at the last minute, I could not find anyone, so I had to take the trip. I am sitting there going “What kind of fool could I have been to even think about being in the office” instead of the C-47 cockpit on a day like this. What a great day and I do it free just for the thrill of flying these fantastic birds.

 

[mar]

That reminds me...

...of a time when I was sitting in the middle seat of the -6 on a very cold but very brilliant, crisp winter morning in McGrath, Alaska.

Thick hoar frost covered everything. Sun rising behind Denali. Great crew! And Louis Armstrong on the ADF and as we turn base to final I think I could probably do this for the rest of my life.

And then we had to unload the airplane. Back to reality.

By the way, what does the T on TC-47D designate?

 

[pilotyip]

Tc-47d

T stands for Trainer, it was in its service life a navigator trainer, had extra astro domes (now removed) in the back for students Nav's to practive shooting the sun and stars. From 1950 to 1954 it was based a Mather AFB in California where it was used to train Nav's for SAC.

 

[mar]

Awesome!

No student landings then.

It must be cherry.

 

[Goose Egg]

Can I tell you guys how nice it is to finally see someone on this website that actually likes what they do. The way some people talk, getting a flying job is the worst thing that ever happened to them. I worry that I will also become jaded and bitter--I don't want that.

 

[pilotyip]

Nice post

I think Mar and I feel the same way. BTW the TC-47D has 15,000 hours on it, that is 225 hours per year over its 60 year life span, delivery to the Army Air Force April 1945

 

[mar]

We get what we ask for

I never wanted to work M-F in a cube.

I got what I asked for: So I work in a tube instead.

No regrets. Lots of debt, I lost my hair, I have bags under my eyes, I'm perpetually single and my hearing sucks.

But I have no regrets.

And speaking of worn out birds: This one to our left is pushing 50,000 hours for sure in her 50 year lifespan. I've heard her sing but I'd love to hear her talk.

 

[Flying Illini]

I've heard her sing but I'd love to hear her talk.

Well said, Beautiful line...
Sure there are down sides to this and any job but at least with this job I always end the day smiling.