Category: Blip on the Radar

A Blip on the Radar Part 27 (B) “The Quiet Observer” One day we were told (by a displeased Captain) that we would be receiving an official observer on board ship, who would be making a trip with us. The news was greeted with annoyance by the ship’s officers, and by mild curiosity by the…

Photo by Wayne Sutherland A Blip on the Radar Part 27A: “Musing about Mother Earth “ A) Environmental issues Most people are vaguely aware of the many threats to our little planet home we call “Earth”. Depending on your outlook, you care a lot, a little, or not at all.It’s hard sometimes to even begin…

Photo by “Konr4d “ A Blip on the Radar Part 26: The Funny Guy Question: What is it, that keeps us alive? Us half crazy guys, that fly helicopters in far off places, jump out of airplanes, fly aerobatics, participate in open cockpit biplane mock dog fights, race motorbikes, but who point blank refuse to…

A Blip on the Radar (Part 25) “Floored by a Russian Hooker “ I miss Steve. Steve Hoffman. Tuna Pilot. Owner, operator, of “Hoffman helicopters, Guam” for many years. He’s long since dead now. Many years. At a young age. Poor old boy. Steve ran a fleet of really fine Hughes 500 Tuna spotting helicopters.…

A Blip on the Radar (Part 24E) “What did you do THAT for…??” I had let it go as long as I possibly dared. Longer. I had given this Commercial Pilot every opportunity to recover. To get with the action. Hell, to blessed well get involved, even. But no… Too busy waving The Royal Wave…

A Blip on the Radar (Part 24 D) Part 24 D: “I’m good. I don’t need your help. Can’t you see that, numb nuts??” As we readied ourselves for another Tuna Boat take-off, I watched my… (student?)(candidate?)(ward?) carefully. My hands were very close to the controls. I knew, in my heart, that I didn’t trust…

A Blip on the Radar (Part 24 C) Part 24 C: “A local jolly over the Rain Forest” Needless to say, armed with my increasingly lengthy notes on my young friend’s “problem areas”, I started asking more and more theory questions. Especially aerodynamic theory. Why? Because these are Good Questions that have Good Answers. Which,…

A Blip on the Radar Part 24(B): “What I mean is that some people do stupid shit…” My new plan, formulated in all sincerity, was to postpone further flights until we got into port. I reasoned that perhaps he was getting so stressed up because he was (literally) at sea. I thought that if we…

A Blip on the Radar (see also www.tunaboathelicopters.org) Part 24 A: “I have CONTROL!…JESUS! “ Given a choice, I can’t imagine a Tuna helicopter company not much preferring a 5,000 hour pilot over a 500 hour pilot. Or a 2,000 hour pilot over a 200 hour pilot. I hired a few real high timers, 8,000…

A Blip on the Radar Part 23B: “Eggs and Psychopaths “ “Come into my parlor, said the Spider to the Fly; the place is very comfy, the ceiling nice and high. Your wings could do with leisure, they look quite beat to me come in and fill your measure of jam and toast for tea.…