Passion for Flight

Looking down at the airport, for a second I am not sure we are where we are supposed to be. The entire area in front of the FBO is taken by US Army helicopters. But two GPS units do not lie, so we fly the pattern and land. Taxiing slowly between the Army helicopters to avoid the blades, we find an open spot for parking. After I have helped my copilot Arie from Tel-Aviv, Israel, get out of the plane, I run to the crews and ask if I can take pictures. The answer is, "Of course." These are three Apache AH-64 and two Black Hawk UH-60 helicopters on a cross country flight returning from the Mojave desert to Ft. Riley, KS. They have stopped for refueling. Apache A-64 and two Black Hawks UH-60 in Raton, NM All this information is provided by CW2 (Chief Warrant O ffi cer) Brett Mathews while I am snapping away with the camera. Where is all this happening? At the small uncontrolled airport in Raton, NM! It gets better. The five birds fire up and, after a lengthy runup with...

The loud whap-whap-whap is startling. The noise comes from Runway 31, which is in use. A big two-rotor military helicopter flies along that runway at low level. But wait, right behind this monster comes another one. And lo and behold, a third one is following number two. The procession flies to the midpoint of Runway 31, turns right, and flies along Runway 4, using it as a taxiway. The three helicopters take a sharp left at the end of Runway 4 and approach the FBO. The noise of the huge rotor blades and turbines becomes deafening. Then, neatly, one by one, they settle on the tarmac in front of the FBO. The blades and turbines wind down. Now there is silence again.    Marine CH46 Sea Knight Helicopters in Plainview, Texas Where is all this happening? At the Hale County Airport in Plainview, TX, of all places. We have known that airport for (1) strong winds from any direction, (2) two runways to cope with #1, and (3) a friendly and helpful FBO. But never for an impressi...