My New Toy....

 

Ever lusting after the "ultimate toy" and at the same time perpetually chasing the "fountain of youth" I logically deduced that since all of my present (Porsche) toys were either broken or had dead batteries (ref: wife's letter to Santa, circa 2004 in which she cited more than a mild objection to purchasing any more toys..!!) the only conclusion that could be drawn was to acquire a trusty steed in which I could shed the bonds of terrestrial imprisonment. 

 

Having prior experience in vertical "descents" (ref: broken leg during 1st attempt at skydiving, circa 1976) I surmised that it would be prudent to pursue attempts at vertical "ascents"...!!!  In keeping with my advancing years I also surmised that the slower the machine the better ... Therefore, I opted for a unit that, on a good day, could, maybe, keep pace with a slightly modified Nash Metro...

 

The first step was to convince the FAA Medical Examiner that I could still pass a urine test without passing a stone..!! among other physical envasions, poking  and probing.  Those of the male persuasion in at least their third trimester of life will understand the intense study that accompanies this endeavor.  Extreme angst and a bag of fresh prunes immediately added to your shopping list comes to mind.  More than a few drops of your "precious bodily fluids are sacrificed for scrutiny... but, after emptying your wallet of unnecessary Benjamin Franklins and scribbling your life history for review by a GS-3 Special Assistant to the Chief Summer Intern of the FAA Aeronautical Center, you are finally bestowed a 3"x5" piece of 20# bond paper authorizing you to share the skies with "the Gods"....and a warning "that you'd better not screw up..!!"

 

Reviewing the various options (primarily what was left in my wallet)... I settled on a used Hughes 300 (Schweizer 269C)... best if it was born after 1980....A trip to San Diego to inspect a 1982 bird as well as various internet searches led me to my ultimate choice in Niagara Falls.  Starting life with the Lancing Michigan Police Department, then to a news service in Buffalo it was presently in the hands of a retired Buffalo Police Officer.  With such a pedigree how could I refuse the barter.  A settlement was reached and subsequently trailored back to South Texas in the company of myself and retired truck driver turned Paragon Parts Pusher, Chuck U... An uneventful trip punctuated only by an errant fuel pump in Nashville led us back to San Antonio followed by a short flight with the helo to Corpus.

 

Currently serving the community as Corpus Christi's only charter helicopter and performing a variety of tasks such as photographing oil rigs, the Hooks Stadium Opening, Terry LaBonte Motorcycle ride, sightseeing tours and other honorable achievements, AirCzar pony N7504S has provided over 50 hours of enjoyment for both myself and all who "share the air" with her... I encourage any and all of you who have a desire to try something new to come share the thrill of standing still in mid-air in my "little blue bird" (nicknamed "DeadWood)....!!!!  You will feel young again...!!! I never get tired of seeing the smiles on the faces of the folks that have taken their first ride in a "chopper"... and I'm not talking about the two wheeled kind...!!!

 

Present plans are to bring it to the "reunion" so everyone can share the fun....

 

Peter Kendig