Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Systems Failure



So in case anybody was wondering Ben's first flight here at Vance went great. He did get a little bit sick but nothing to worry about he just has to get used to the plane. But today was his second ride. Not so great. As I picked him up from work today I asked him the usual questions how was school? Did you learn lots of stuff? and How was your flight? He said everything was great until I had my ride we had an emergency systems failure. So of course I'm like what does that mean? He said they were coming in to land and the plane wasn't indicating whether or not all the landing gear was locked into place so the instructor started freaking out right away asking all these questions (luckily Ben knew the answers to those certain questions) and the instructor immediately made a call into the tower letting them know their landing gear was not showing up as locked into place and he was pulling out and they would be circling waiting for another plane to come check everything out. So a plane comes right up next to them and goes right beside, then the other side, then under and last but not least on top and says everything looks to be okay. So the instructor makes the decision to bring it in to the runway to land. So then the radio tower calls out to all the planes and let them know they are closing down the runway and there would be an emergency landing and they'll have to wait until the coast is clear. So before I tell you how it went keep in mind the way they are seated is, Ben in the front seat (seeing all the action) and the instructor in the back navigating. As ben tells the story they were about 200 feet from the ground and the instructor tells him just so you know there is a good chance is the plane is going down and if it does it is going to hit straight into the concrete (As in the picture) maybe even flip over. As if he wasn't already nervous. Also the tower told them to shut the plane down as soon as they stopped and get out and the ambulance and fire truck would be there right behind them. So LUCKILY the landing gear was locked into place and they landed fine and Ben said maybe 10 seconds had gone by and the instructor was already out on the wing saying come on we got to go. Lol. Which Ben was just in shock at. And as fast as he could he pulled off all his seat belts and oxygen tubes and still had his mask on and was out there a few seconds later.

5 comments:

Mari said...

Oh how scary! I think I would grab Tyson and move to Timbuktu before anyone could stop us. I have to admit that it is fun to see you posting regularly again :-) I like it.

Unknown said...

WoW Ash...my baby brother the stud. I would have peed my pants! This is how I know I could never be a pilot. I couldn't handle the pressure!

Ashley K. said...

I agree 100% with Mari's comment... every word! We need to hear from you more girl! How is the dog sitting? I was laughing soo hard at your post.

-The other Ashley Kearns

Andy and Melissa said...

Oh my gosh! I would have been crying the whole time Ben was telling me the story...and I think I would make him quit. Crazy stuff. I hate flying, I can't imagine how anyone would want to do it for a job - but I'm glad they do cause Driving everywhere takes way to long, and like in Ben's case - we are much safer with the military being able to fly instead of just drive. Thanks Ben for doing the things I am too chicken to do.

jam said...

Ash and Ben: Saw this interesting post!(Nana hasn't seen it yet). Way to go BJ! Here are three rules I have learned about aviation: (1)Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding it. (2) A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the aeroplane again. (3) You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck. Love, Dad

"Courage is being scared to death, but then saddling up anyway." John Wayne