Flight Training - December 2012 - 25

Below us were endless empty barrens. “How do the cattle get there to make those tracks?” we wondered. Seven hours over wilderness with radios largely silent reassure you that the world’s not entirely overcrowded—yet. Following a stunning Lone Star sunset, we were swallowed by a sobering blanket of black, black night. “Do you find this darkness eerie?” Jean asked as I navigated by instruments. “Sure do,” I replied, cycling the landing light to ensure we hadn’t entered a cloud. “This is why I keep night current—you never know when you’ll need it.” Our datalink weather display suggested precipitation ahead, but both ATC and Flight Watch reported only clear skies. A shrinking temperature/dew-point spread at New Braunfels now raised the specter of fog. Fortunately, San Antonio International remained a favorable alternate. Even San Antonio’s welcoming glow four hours after takeoff didn’t end our adventure—psychedelic mists filled our lights approaching New Braunfels Airport. After taxiing blindly seeking tiedowns in the inky blackness, we secured the Flying Carpet by flashlight, and waited under a solitary bulb until our ride could find us. Nothing could top the following days celebrating our new grandson, but an additional kick remained. I’ve always revered Desi’s hometown of San Antonio, both for its vibrant history and proud Mexican flavor—and because I myself was born there. “Care to join me running errands at Randolph [Air Force Base]?” asked Austin. Four generations of family and flying trod the grounds where my father was stationed when I was born, just a few miles from the latest baby Brown’s birthplace. For the return flight we launched early and, urged along by tailwinds, made it home nonstop. The only weather proved to be a solitary thunderstorm atop Flagstaff. “Don’t worry,” said the tower when I radioed apprehensively 20 miles out. “The cell has drifted off the airport.” Clearly, it was making way for grandparents!
Greg Brown is an aviation author, photographer, and former National Flight Instructor of the Year. Visit his website (www.gregbrownflyingcarpet.com).

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Flight Training - December 2012

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