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same month, my last Part 121 line-check. I will have one more R-9 (Line Oriented Flight Training) recurrent train- ing session and three more class one physicals before I retire from my carrier. I don’t anticipate losing the Duke for a handful of years, but as my skills deteriorate due to age, I’m sure that day will come as well. On that day, who is the airline pilot/Duke guy if he is retired from the airline and has no Duke? I’m starting to allow these count-down-realities to creep into my head and heart as the day that I will be stripped of my superpowers approaches.
Most of All, I Love
How You Love Me – Bobby Vinton, 1968
As a mental-method to help understand inanimate, me- chanical aircraft systems and why they act and respond the way they do, readers of this column understand the use and value of anthropomorphism. So, you shouldn’t be shocked to hear me say that I’m glad that airplanes like me. I’ve had a few close encounters but they were not of
the Third Kind and there was no malice in the airplane’s heart. Perhaps this is because the planes that I’ve flown, most of all, love how I love them. Buried by check-ride-itis, finances and the anxieties of life, the joyful emotions from that first bike, our first kiss and the thrill of flight are still in there – we just have to let them out. This Valentine’s Day, in order to let them out and acknowledge our feelings towards aviation, make sure that you get the airplane you love something nice. Something that it really wants. And while you’re at it, get something for your significant other – the one that understands your airplane affliction and tolerates the look on your face when you and the airplane are together. Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends.
Kevin Dingman has been flying for more than 40 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 24,000 hours in his logbook. A retired Air Force major, he flew the F-16 and later performed as an USAF Civil Air Patrol Liaison Officer. He flies volunteer missions for the Christian organiz tion Wings of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beechcraft Duke.Contact Kevin at dinger10d@ gmail.com.
February 2020 / TWIN & TURBINE • 37