Author: Francis Meyrick
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Of Helicopters and Humans (7) “The Road of Light “
Of Helicopters and Humans (7) The Road of Light 3/19/2010 I went to a funeral today. No, not a tragic, miserable, meaningless ritual. With grey faced folk, standing around, pretending so much they wished to be there. When they just really wanted it to be over… No, not like that at all. In a strange…
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The Little Bird off Slea Head (1)
Photo: “Rough Sea ” by Michelle1973 The Little Bird off Slea Head (written over a Christmas break in 1982, during a howling gale; I was alone, in an isolated, rain sodden cottage up on a steep cliff of Slea Head, County Kerry, Ireland; reading and writing poetry, and drinking in the timelessness of Old Ireland;…
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Of Helicopters and Humans (6) “Macho Man “
Of Helicopters and Humans (6) Homo Helicopterus Macho Maximus ( “Macho Man “) In the far, far future, in several thousand years’ time, (long after the Time of the Great Upheaval, the Intergalactic Phenomenon, and Madonna’s awful caterwauling), it might be interesting…. to be a fly on the wall (or a bed bug in somebody’s…
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Moggy’s Tunaboat Helicopter Manual “A Word to the Wise “
Moggy’s Tunaboat Helicopter Manual A word to the wise… 3/4/2010 We have now covered quite some material, eh? We must not lose sight of the fact that helicopter flying is wonderful fun. It beats actually working for a living any day. And flying the Tuna Fields adds a whole extra dimension of cultural experience, strange…
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Moggy’s Tunaboat Helicopter Manual Ch.3-I “Reducing Speed Quickly – Scrubbing “
Moggy’s Tunaboat Helicopter Manual Ch.3-I Reducing Speed Quickly during Herding: “Scrubbing “ I’ve mentioned the tail rotor and the imperative need for ‘tail rotor awareness’ many times now, and especially in connection with hovering and during ‘herding’. I don’t think it’s possible to over-emphasize the importance of guarding against a tail rotor strike. Remember those…
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A Quiet Song – Now we are Free
Photo: Timothy Gray A Quiet Song – Now we are Free After the tumult, peace. After the divisions, caring. To my readers, whoever you are. One day I’ll be gone quietly moving on I’m just riding through enjoying time here with you I’m hoping the reams of my oft scribbled dreams might awaken some stirrings…
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A Blip on the Radar (Part 20) “Only the Idiots “
“End of the Dream ” for one of our mates… Rick Faulkner commented on his photo: “Moggy – your mate Cliff (Mech) survived this one, unfortunately the pilot was killed which is just a reminder to us all of the dangers we face day to day. “ A Blip on the Radar Part 20: Only…
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Of Helicopters and Humans (5) “Up to your Ass in Alligators “
Of Helicopters and Humans (5) Up to your ass in Alligators (a true story) Helicopter pilots, apart from being lovable, cuddly, incredibly sexy and usually hopelessly impoverished, are also very curious people. They can’t help it. They’ve gotta touch it, try it, poke it, and see if it really DOES hurt when you stick your…
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Of Helicopters and Humans (4) “A Very Nice Lady “
A really, really bad day… Of Helicopters and Humans Part 4: “A very nice lady, walking her dog on the beach. A very, very nice lady. “ The first time I heard this story, I thought it was a Gulf myth. I didn’t believe it. But then I saw the photographic evidence. It was kind…
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Of Helicopters and Humans (3) “A Certain Rich Aroma “
Of Helicopters and Humans Part 3: “A Certain Rich Aroma “ I remember that African day well. Even down to tiny details. I remember walking out to the aircraft, my passenger in tow, across the grass. I remember it was warm, and sunny, and Africa was truly beautiful. The Black Angolan gentleman I was taking…