A Long Easy Dream  31/3/06

This was a post on a forum all those years ago. Like so many things in life actions originate within us before they appear in the physical world. Sometimes I am fortunate to recall these inner adventures and gain some insight into the reality behind those hidden worlds that drive us as actors on a stage of our own making.

For years I flew a racing class sailplane, something about the tight cockpit and fantastic views. Such freedom to fly high on the good days but the winters were too long. Sadly she was sold.

A few years later that persistent aviation itch became unbearable. I bought an open frame gyrocopter. The L/D drop from 43:1 to  2:1 was interesting but I could fly all the time and still do. You can see in every direction as you move through the air but 40 knots with limited endurance is another sort of flying.

My nightly dreams began to fill with strange flying machines, dreams seemingly more real than when awake.

I never asked for them, but free copies of an Aviation Trader magazine started coming in the mail. As the dreams become persistent  I was drawn to advertisements for second-hand Rutan designs. Then the lurking started in this forum and it was clear, Long-EZ was the one.

Of course getting a PPL (Private Pilots License) here in Australia is difficult and the whole GA (General Aviation) thing a bottomless money pit lined on every side with paperwork. Too hard. I have my gyro, do all the maintenance myself, yes, nice and economical. Still, there is something about those canard things even if they are GA..

The dreams persisted. I was made into a ferry pilot and given jets to fly. Even some bigger aircraft. I’d hold this strange other world in mind for days like a pleasant haunting.

Then, in the middle of it all, a Long-EZ lands at our airfield just a day after I’d been looking for them in the Trader. The closest thing to machines from my inner worlds, yet this plane is for sale in this world, now.

Yes a ride in the back seat soon followed. You know what that leads to, it was only a formality.

The dreams have stopped. This reality takes over. Today I soloed in a Warrior at a busy suburban airport. Another step towards the PPL. The necessary funds have been found, I’m yet to find a place to keep her but the ‘Long’ deal will be done.

While not a builder, advice to keep her sweet and fly her well will be my main concern. I’ll need a lot of help from you on this forum. I hope you’ll be patient with my questions as I thank-you in advance for your gifts of time and wisdom.

Dave

A follow Up 23/6/2006

Reality has persisted in this world. The road to PPL is a long torturous one in the land Down Under. After three navs the truth was clear. Pass that PPL theory or go no further. Tales of long cold days in small study rooms mean nothing to those on the other side of license. Today I joined you pilots on the smug side of success. A PPL theory pass, yes four answers wrong of the sixty-five questions. My CFI complained, he had to get me to 100% with verbal checks and his time was valuable. Was he joking or serious? I was left to generate my own congratulations. Only you initiated ones know.

Onward for more Navs soon, perhaps a new instructor, this time one with more hours than I have. The next lurking terror is controlled airspace and the 1 in 60 diversions. My old brain was built for a GPS not internal gymnastics and a plastic ruler.

The Long-EZ deal is close. She is having an annual and will soon be mine. The dreams have returned. I seem to be in an old Hercules bomber, not of this time and operating a large panel. I don’t know what they look like today, its just a name from the inner worlds. Yet the many controls have less mystery.

For now its off again to fly a gyrocopter. Yes, a crazy love of aerial freedom. Soon back to the world of the student pilot, fixed wings, rules and discipline, the only path available for my Long easy dream.