Page 29 - Volume 16 Number 12

and when holding court, royals and subjects would often speak of the journeys and the packages he had delivered. The chronicles were pleasant and happy.One dark and gloomy night, Super Eighty was descending with his master at the controls into a new and foreign land called Monterrey. The day’s quest had begun before the sun had risen over the stable, and many villages had been attended this day. Now, the comforting sun had set, allowing the darkness to fall over the land. The realm of Monterrey was protected by large mountains infested with trolls, said to hunger for the taste of fine steeds such as Super Eighty. Many a knight and his mount had been swallowed by just such mindless peaks of doom, especially under the veil of darkness. Suddenly, Super Eighty was blinded by a loss of the inertial reference system.Blacksmiths at the castle had warned the knight of Super Eighty’s lame system, having seen evidence of past injuries. “Be wary” they advised. A rumor that the King had held back on the care and feeding of his stables plagued the knight. Now, no longer were the hungry mountains, once plotted on the map, displayed to the knight and his squire. Both systems were enchanted by a mischievous sprite called Map Fail. No longer could Super Eighty show the brave warriors even the most primitive of navigational information; neither the realms of earth nor heaven were in view around the team. The journey’s outcome appeared desperate and whimpers of fear could be heard from the maidens aboard Super Eighty. Fortunately, displays of attitude and elevation had not failed. The knight quickly transitioned to an ancient and forgotten navigational teaching called VOR.Speaking in a strange and difficult tongue, the gate keepers of Monterrey began to divert Super Eighty away from the well-traveled road approaching the castle; severalother travelers were blocking the path. They asked the knight to follow a different corridor called “Radial” to the castle, and to expect to rejoin the more heavily traveled approach path later. Having been distracted by the task of mending the Map Fail, the squire was distressed as the knight and Super Eighty departed the main road for the foot path. The squire knew the beastly mountains could beckon to Super Eighty if the reins were relaxed or if the knight were to become enchanted. The knight spoke out loud as he examined the indications from the dusty radio magnetic indicators: “The tail of the bearing pointer is us... and our DME is....” Then, retrieving a small parchment map from an old leather satchel, he pointed and exclaimed: “We are right here, my faithful squire, not far from the main road and still out of reach of the mountains.” The knight watched a calm come over the squire, even as he told the knight that the spirit was a clever spirit and could not be coaxed from the mapping system. Not having the mountains displayed, the seasoned knight called to life a magical light named weather radar and tilted the antennae up so as to shine on the beastly terrain. Some say the mountain recoiled with fear when illuminated by the magic beam.Soon after, the gate keepers allowed Super Eighty to return from the wood to the main path. The intercept angle provided by them was very unusual, directed slightly away from the castle instead of slightly towards it. The knight and his squire nevertheless leaned and gently persuaded their mighty steed onto the new course. A button was pushed, allowing Super Eighty to follow the course without deviation. Using an atmospheric pressure sensing instrument from a long ago era, the brave crew accurately descended into Monterrey while the beastly mountains watched in disappointment. Many torches lined the landing area as the Castle of Monterrey appeared through the darkmist. It was a welcome sight indeed. Super Eighty glided gently onto the wide, smooth lane and sauntered up to the stable. Until repaired, Super Eighty would remain here.The knight often wondered if he could seek counsel with the court to persuade the noble and wise King to take better care of his stable. The price of grain and tack for the many steeds weighs heavy on the heart of the King, it’s said, and he desires to do so but is unable. The stables of wealthy kingdoms are not immune from such failures, however, and all knights, you and I included, must be wary of deficiencies in our steeds, as well as ghostly weather and the many heartless mountains near our destinations and enroute. Be ready for the different tongues of foreign gatekeepers, too. You have ancient methods to manage your steed that continue to function and may serve you in good stead one dark and scary night. So remember them well.How was that for embellishment? I hope yo•u enjoyed your cocoa. Merry Christmas, my friends, and fly safely. T&TKevin Dingman has been fly- ing for 40 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 19,000 hours. A retired Air Force Major, he flew the F-16 then performed as a USAF Civil Air Patrol Liaison Officer. He flies volunteer missions for the Christian organization Wings of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beechcraft Duke. Contact Kev- in at Dinger10d@gmail.com.DECEMBER 2012 TWIN & TURBINE • 27