AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2023 - 44

BRIEFING
MUSINGS /
runway. The gear squats and you settle into
an undulating rollout as both the wings of the
aircraft and your soul unload from the burdens
placed upon it.
Pulling the mixture in your parking spot
Magic on Mount Tobe
Reflecting on the joys of camping with your airplane
BY BRIAN THOMAS
FOR ME IT STARTS with my socks for some peculiar yet practical reason. They are
always first in my bag. For you it may be different, but it's usually always the same
routine-checking off items from a list compiled during previous trips derived from
experiences past. Each item is significant for its use but examined critically for its
weight. After packing is complete and everything loaded into your aircraft in a
familiar game of Tetris, you make one final scan of your camping checklist before
heading out. That's right, you are going airplane camping.
Preflight accomplished, the engine whirls to life. As the throttle is advanced, the
rpms-like your anticipation for what's to come-increase. The aircraft accelerates
into the wild blue yonder; falling beneath it are your stresses, and the bonds of life
in a two-dimensional world.
You are airborne and en route! The destination may be near, or it may be far,
but the journey to get there will be nothing short of incredible. The view is mesmerizing.
Rivers below cutting their meandering path through the hillsides set
ablaze in color in the cool crisp air of fall, the foliage peaks in glorious reds, oranges,
browns, and yellows.
Then in the distance, you see it-an emerald-green ribbon of grass lovingly
carved into the countryside. A single unmistakable color in a sea of fire. The thin
wisps of smoke wafting in the air from the campfire below mark the entrance to
your downwind leg. Reducing the power abeam your touchdown point, turning
base, then setting up on short final, you glide below the treetops kissing
terra-firma. Absent is the familiar chirp of the tires from the traditional asphalt
44
AOPA PILOT / March 2023
the propeller winds slowly to a stop along with
what it seems is time itself. You have arrived in
a place unlike that of which you left. You have
left behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life,
set aside the chaos, and for a moment arrived in
a place where none of it matters. You have been
transported into a portal. A time and place that
feels rather like heaven, and the best part about
it is you are not alone.
No sooner does your aircraft door shut do
the handshakes and greetings begin from folks
you may have known for years or strangers you
are meeting for the first time. " Great landing, "
they say. " Nice aircraft you have there! " shouts
another. " Welcome friend, and make yourself at
home. " " There's food over there, drinks in the
cooler, the fires going, and the movie starts at
eight. If you need anything just ask. "
Yes, indeed you have arrived, and set up
camp among a fellowship of aviators. The only
goal is to fill your stomach with food, quench
your thirst with a few cold ones, and replenish
your soul spending the next few days absent of
the stresses of the real world. The only thing on
this weekend's agenda is fun.
You rise to the familiar crackle of the fire.
The pine smoke accented with the perfume of
bacon is in the air. The coffee is brewing, and
breakfast is coming off the griddle for everyone
gathered. Those familiar two words " clear
prop! " are heard in the distance as the dawn
patrol starts up for the first flights of the day
with the sun barely over the horizon.
The day is full of activities. A group fly-out to
some other local grass strips, scenic flights looking
at the ever-changing landscape, rides given
to people you have just met, a spot landing contest,
and an afternoon pumpkin drop. A day of
flying for everyone that can only be described
as a day of bliss.
Aircraft buzz overhead all day long. The
symphony of recips, radials, and Rotaxes is
like music to your ears. Without hesitation,
you look skyward with curiosity, fulfilling a
desire embedded since your youth. The aircraft
line the runway, each proudly flown in
by their caretaker eager to show them off and
MARCIN WOLSKI

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2023

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