[Photo by zherui-zhang on Unsplash]

Dad (Douglas Thompson) took full advantage of his time as an enlisted man in the Air Force and absolutely loved it. He’d been in for eight years and he said many times he would never have left except for his calling into the ministry.  Going back in part time (the reserves) was not really suggested or thought of much in the very early 1970’s or he would have done that. One of the benefits at the time (late 60’s early 70’s) was the opportunity and access to get inexpensive private pilot’s lessons. He took lessons and learned how to fly fixed wing, helicopters, gliders and anything else that was offered. 

He loved to tell how different things were then and that they could take the helicopter and land at a Burger King to eat.  He had many great experiences flying a small Cessna that he was part owner of and took us all out for flights regularly.  This was back when gas was still less than 39¢ a gallon.

The most harrowing experience he ever had though was his first solo flight in the helicopter.  He’d had the necessary time in book/ground training and flying with a trainer.  You have to get that in before they let you out in any flying machine that I know of on your own.

Now I’ve been in small planes (not helicopters) with beginner pilots.  It feels pretty safe because the trainer is there to walk them through everything and they’ve done a lot of ground training before they get to that stage.

Doug had his time in on the ground and with the trainer. Now it was time for him to fly the helicopter by himself. He and the trainer went up for a short hop to verify that the copter was running right and to make sure Doug was oriented right on the particular machine. Everything went well, so they landed in a nearby field to allow the instructor to get out and go over a few things before Doug took off alone.

The copter was flying well, Doug was doing well, weather was good.  Everything seemed good to go.  So, the instructor hopped out and Doug took off.  That’s when the instructor remembered the last thing he was supposed to tell Doug. Adjust for my absence.

Doug took off from the field and the copter went up and tilted over towards his side, whereupon, the helicopter transmogrified into a lawn mower.  He hoped, among many other things, that the owner of the field was looking for a cheap mow job, because they got it that day.  Up and down the field he went.  Back and forth across the field.  He could turn the copter, he could fly it, but it kept tilting over to his side and running down the field.

Doug had pretty solid reflexes and he didn’t overreact in crisis situations.  That was definitely to his advantage now. He tweaked several controls trying to level it off.  He kept adapting and testing until he finally found the one that would adjust for the weight of the instructor having left the machine. The copter stabilized, he gained full control and leveled it off. 

What was supposed to be a simple fly up and around the field had turned into a harrowing, mow the lawn, amusement park ride of your life experience.  It could have gone much worse.  He brought the copter back over to the instructor who did not die of a heart attack although he was stressed enough for it. The instructor knew that he bore the brunt of the responsibility for the failure. 

As Doug landed, the instructor ran up to the helicopter and yelled, “I’m sorry.  I forgot to go over adjusting for the difference in weight as I left.”  Doug looked at him, smiled a wry smile and said a sarcastic phrase he was well known for, “lovely, just lovely.”  He went on and finished the lesson.  He didn’t give up flying planes or helicopters and he didn’t have any other similarly scary flying experiences that I know of.  He did learn well and always knew to adjust the helicopter for weight distribution from that time on.

[If you enjoyed this story – First, let me say THANK YOU – then, please hit one of the “share” buttons below to share this story on your social media and help me get the word out about my stories. Also, please signup for the free newsletter on the homepage or via the occasional popup invites.]

Need some outdoors, wildlife or motorcycle inspired t-shirts, phone cases or sweatshirts?

Feel free to browse and shop for outdoor themed shirts and mugs on my gifts page at Redbubble!