It’s a good thing spring has arrived because March was a bit of a wash for flying. I am very much looking forward to the fly-ins this season. We have our own Poker Run, the Lethbridge Breakfast, the Vulcan Breakfast, the Sundre Fly-In, and the Camrose fly-in. I find it helpful to cruise the other clubs’ websites to keep familiar with all that is on the go. I am still mad about the Lethbridge Airshow being canceled.

In the past couple of months, I have had the chance to work part-time at Blue Yonder building kits with Wayne. There are two projects that will be built to completion along with two kits for customers. We also have to restock the school’s planes as we go. It’s a good thing that there was a lot of tubing left over from years past as the prices have really increased. I am quite anxious to see the new tricycle Merlin fly. The fuselage is done, and the wings will follow within a week or so. There are different wheels that will be used to change the look of the new trainer.

The latest site that I have been enjoying is http://www.akbushwheel.com. It shows a number of gravel bar landings with some good commentary.

With all the snow as of late, I am really missing the Fuel Mule. I just can’t see Bent Wing Blue with skis. I figure each of us should have access to at least three airplanes: one for cruise, one for short and rough field work, and one for skis or floats depending on the season. Maybe it’s just better to rent.

I have finished my third Shirlee Matheson book about the flying adventures of Canada’s North. It is amazing to me that there are so many northern bush pilots that have thousands of hours. Better yet, it’s amazing that some have had so many wrecks and still fly as long as they possibly can. It must have been quite the time back then. A good job was delivering mail every week to points all across the map. A bad job was one where the young moose you were hauling got fed up with laying still in the plane and wasn’t going to be calm anymore. That same story can be told about sled dogs. I could not imagine which would be worse, the smell of eight wet dogs or a trapper who hasn’t bathed in eight months. No matter what creature was in those tight confines, it would make a good story in itself. The events that have been captured by Ms. Matheson are the type that can make you laugh out loud. The chances that were taken, the luck that was enjoyed, the friendships built and maintained, and the series of events that led them along their way are the stories that shaped our country and changed how we fly today. Although they may not interest everyone, they certainly have their place for some, enlightening us about our limitations and inspiring us to enjoy a sport that can still thrill us.

Wishing you tailwinds and no bumps.