Steve
Three weeks later
Wes was sitting on an overturned bucket, staring at the right wing of the parts that Jeff's team had molded before he had been hired. He had been determined to have this bunch of parts flying within a week or two.
No such luck. He kept finding flaws in how the pieces fit together. He kept checking the blueprints that were downloaded from the internet with the finished product, and found the pre-made parts to be exact to the print. The problem was they didn't fit, or didn't fit correctly.
I walked up to Wes and asked, "What do you think, Wes, how about scrapping what we made before you came and let you design the parts yourself? Have you input the print into your design program yet?"
"Steve," Wes said, shaking his head, "When I loaded the specs into our program, some connections and joints are off by as much as an inch. I thought I could just bolt this thing together and have it in the air instantly, but if I did get it into the air, I'm afraid it would be coming down quickly."
I waved my hand at the almost constructed aircraft, "Then let's use this as a learning experience and you do the design. We'll cast parts to your specs so you can be confident of what you build."
"You're right, Steve. I've made parts fit and not just let them match together. I want what we build to be as perfect as we know how to make it. If we wanted, I would want our fuselage to be race worthy, even capable of extreme aerobatics. I've got just about everything redesigned now, I might as well just do the whole aircraft, then beg Jeff's group to mold it again."
With a smile, I said, "Let's take this contraption apart and haul it over to the fiberglass shop. We'll let them grind it up so no one will ever try to use any of it. Let's do it."
What took Wes two weeks to partially assemble, took two men two hours to tear apart. I backed my pickup into the hangar and we loaded everything into the bed without being careful of damaging the parts. We drove to the fiberglass shop and I asked Jeff where he wanted the parts.
Jeff was standing at the rear of the pickup with his hands on his hips, "You know, Wes, I thought this might end up this way. When we were measuring parts, it didn't seem as if they would fit correctly. I'm sorry you can't play with this one, but give me some good prints and I'll get you started on your own design. Besides, Mike is working on a few ways to strengthen the composite."
Wes was nodding his head, "I'm just disappointed we couldn't make something fly very quickly. I suppose that it's better that we use our own engineering instead of someone else's. Let me get to work on it and I'll bring you the prints to look at. You and I can go over the stress areas and will figure out better ways to build an airworthy aircraft."
I asked Jeff, "Do you still have those prints we bought from the biplane company before they went bankrupt?"
Jeff answered, "Sure do, I would make it out of a better material than what they used though. I know you fly the one you bought from them all the time, but I'll bet what I can build is lighter weight and would be a lot stronger."
I suggested, "Since we've committed space for some toys, how about molding the biplane for me with the better materials. We'll use Abe's bigger engine in it and see how it does. If it specs out to be too hot for an LSA experimental, we'll put the smaller engine in it. Lately the little biplane has been in the air all day Saturday and Sunday. I'll bet we could rent two biplanes if we had them."
Jeff said, "You know the guy that owned that company lives over in Zephyrhills. He's been out to the airpark a couple of times talking with Jimmy. You know he might even sell you the rights to the aircraft cheap and you could sell it in kit form if you wanted to."
"That's a thought. We would have to get prices together so Tiny can figure out what a kit would cost. Wes can tell us what all we would put into a kit. If you were to get the guy who was the original builder of the biplane to come help you, we might have a viable product. We'll have to work on price though, as a kit is going to have to be a total of about thirty to thirty-five thousand max. If we build an aircraft for about fifty then why would someone do all that work and spend thirty-five?"
Jeff said, "Wes, spend some time with me while my guys are making your new parts. We'll work on what a kit would cost. I need some more off the wall stuff for my guys. They get bored molding standard products all the time. That's for the line junkies. My guys like to create some perfect product that's also unique."
Wes said, "Steve, take me back to my office and let me work on the design. I'll stay with the air coupe right now so we can get something going. I want to work on my ideas for soundproofing the cockpit. I think it can be done easily and inexpensively."
I drove Wes back to the shop and headed home, but made a call while on the way. "Jeff, thanks for working with me and Wes. He was really down about not being able to make those parts fit. Jimmy said he looked at what he was doing and said Wes was trying to make too many square pegs fit into round holes. Jimmy said the plane would be airworthy but not what Wes really wanted for a sample. It would not have been perfect or even near perfect."
Jeff said, "No problem, Steve. I'd rather grind that thing up than have one of us crash in it. Wes seems really conscientious and appears to know what he's doing. Let's see how he does with his own specs."
Jeff paused, then said, "Oh yeah, wait until you see the new line we finished over in Italy. In order to satisfy the labor people, we actually have two lines instead of one. We won't start the second line until orders justify it, but I had to build the second one because the first eliminated too many workers. We're going to be way under budget on the carts, and should be right on target with the lifts."
"That's great, Jeff, I need to get over and see that, plus I want to see the new modifications you did in Ireland. I've heard that the place is turning out product ahead of schedule and it is all as near perfect as it can be."
Jeff said, "A lot of that is your man ramroding the show over there. He has the employees so high on your perfect slogans that they're wearing patches for building the most products without an inspection flaw."
"Anyway," I said, "thanks for working with me and Wes. Now that he has that albatross from around his neck, perhaps we can see him shine."
"He'll do alright, Steve, the man really wants to build something. Oh, I have some more test plates for you to shoot at. We've been going over various blends of epoxies and fibers for strength. Test these and let me know."
I said, "Call Abe, he's been doing the testing. He has the Sheriff's department and Tampa Police department working with him. He's been able to get them to do the actual firing while he documents the tests and records the results."
Jeff asked, "So what are you going to build when you find the right composite?"
"I'm going to propose to build the drone bodies for whoever is building the drones. We'll patent whatever composite you come up with and license it to whoever wants to pay us for it. Of course, those who just give us their specs and let us cast for them will come out ahead. Did you get the dimensions off that surplus Humvee we bought?"
"Yep," Jeff said, "We've already cast a body and it fits the frame of what they have. I know they have a new vehicle they're using, or at least introducing, so we may be a day late on this."
"That's okay, Jeff, if we can show this is a safer vehicle for the troops, they will want to use us to build the bodies for whatever they're making now. Now we have to find a way and place to try to blow the thing up like an IED would."
Jeff said, "Ask Chuck if he can arrange for some tests with ATF. Those guys are always blowing something up out at the range. If we have to, we can reserve part of the bombing range for some tests."
"Good thought, I'll ask. Meanwhile, work on shielding the engine and fuel tanks. If the product is strong enough, the shield can double as a skid plate."
"My thoughts exactly, Steve. Let's call George Henderson, the designer and former owner of the biplane company. If he can come over and work with us, we should be able to put a kit together. I'll talk to you later, Steve."
At home, I found Sue, Mercy, Kathy, and Juanita, ready for the gym. I waved them off, "I haven't had lunch yet. Let me get a little something to eat then we'll head out."
Glenda made me a sandwich and asked if I wanted her to warm up some soup, but I said the sandwich would be fine. I ate while the quartet of wives watched me impatiently. I had to ask, "What's up that you're all so anxious today? What do you girls have planned?"
They all looked at each other, then Sue said, "We have to meet Chuck's ladies after they get off work. We're taking them to a few places to look at things."
"What kind of things?" I asked.
Mercy said, "Oh you know, things for the house, some baby things. Stuff women like."
"Is this more of your strategy to get them to move out here?"
Sue rolled her eyes, but answered, "Yes, it is, but we want to show them what the architect can do and we want to run them by the houses out back."
"If Chuck and the ladies build a place, out there will that be close enough for you?"
Kathy said, "That's where Abe lives and it works out fine with him."
"You know that they have two houses now and the girls' house is probably almost done with their remodel."
Sue said, "It's been done for a week. They would rather stay with Chuck now. They got used to being with him all the time and don't want to move back to their house. They have to go over to their house for clothes and things every day, but they are more comfortable with Chuck."
I asked, "So, do you feel that if they bring up the subject to build out here, Chuck will be more willing?"
It was Mercy who said, "Chuck wouldn't mind living out here, but he's apprehensive about living out here and possibly bringing some kind of danger to us. He keeps thinking of the times he's had before. It's been a long time since he's had a problem at home now, so it may be easier to get him to move on this."
Sue said, "I had Tiny and Terrel work out a preliminary plan for where his house would be and how much space he might need. My thought would be for us to build a place on six lots put together. That way he could have a giant house with a giant garage. We can make it two-story like the girls house, but I think Chuck prefers the main quarters all on one floor. The girls would just have to figure out how they would do it."
I asked, "So are you figuring on just his five, or are you thinking there would be more."
This time Juanita said, "Chuck has to include Tina, and of course, Lisa. The other two, the sisters Lena and Tina, are only maybes. Chuck is really against a relationship with them. He thinks they're too young."
"So what about Dennis and Marie, Jan and Don, and don't forget Wanda and John?"
Kathy said, "We can build it just like his house is now or come up with an even better plan. If we need another master suite for Wanda and John, we can do that. They can keep their commune just like they have it now if they want. If John and Wanda become permanent, they may want to move back into John's place or get a new one."
"Sounds like you ladies have a lot of convincing to do yet. Come on, let's go work out."
After our workout, the girls didn't want to go to the pool, but my best friend, Glenda said for me to join her and the other ladies. When I got to the pool, Mark was there with his three women. It had been announced that he would probably be tying the knot with Caroline, but it sure seemed like Shirley and Betty paid a lot of attention to him too.
I was lucky to have so many ladies that wanted to spread oil on me. We lay in the sun and I was able to catch up on a lot of the gossip and what was happening in the park. After a good fifteen minutes on my back, and another fifteen on my front, I went into the pool to swim hard for about ten minutes.
As I was drying off, Mark asked, "How's the airplane that Wes is working on coming?"
"It isn't, Mark. The plans were off so much that Wes thought the plane might be unsafe, so we've trashed all the parts. He is going to engineer his own aircraft and have it molded. It should go fast once he has the parts he wants."
Mark said, "That's great, Steve. I'm looking forward to flying an S&S aircraft. I'll bet it's a good one."
"I hope so, Mark. Wes is building an air coupe first, then we'll see what else we might build. We are going to work on a biplane and a biplane kit for some diversification."
Mark was saying, "I'll be looking forward to flying one of them soon, Steve," when a cart came sliding up to the fence by the pool. Martin was almost running into the pool area.
"Steve, Steve, DeDe had an accident. She's down." You could see Martin was panicking.
"Where, Martin?"
"I don't know, Steve, Star just called. She said that Melbourne got a Mayday from DeDe about fifteen minutes ago. Hurry, you've got to help find her."
Glenda said, "Martin, Honey, take it easy. Steve will come right now. Let's take him home then you can go lay down. DeDe will be fine, she's a good pilot."
We rode back to the house where Beth was standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face. She said, "I guess you should get dressed and head out to the airpark. Star is going nuts."
"Let me get dressed and I'll get out there right away. You guys have a lot to do with the kids."
Beth said, "Susan already called Sue. They will probably meet you out at the airpark."
I was dressed and on my way in five minutes. I tried to call the charter office on the way, but the lines were busy. I used my cell phone directory for the maintenance hangar and that line was busy. I called Wes' number and his new secretary answered. I asked, "Let me speak to Wes."
The lady said, "He's already in the air. He and Jimmy are both up so they can find DeDe."
I said, "This is Steve, I'll be out there in a few minutes. Go tell Star that I'm on my way."
"Yes Sir, I'll do that right now."
The drive out to the airpark is less than fifteen minutes, but it seemed like it took forever. As soon as I parked in front of the charter office, Star came running out the door. She grabbed me and hugged me crying, "Steve, Steve, we don't know where she is. I know she's a good pilot but she must have had a bad problem. She's not even answering the radio."
I asked, "Was this an instrument lesson or a beginner lesson?"
Star replied, "Instrument. She's in a 172, yours I think. It just had an inspection and everything was fine. Jimmy said he did the aircraft himself."
"Anything can happen, but don't panic. DeDe's a good pilot and if anyone can get a plane down it's her. If she had time to call in an emergency then there will be a marker for where she called in. The transponder will give us an area."
Star was shaking her head and said, "That's the problem, Steve, she wasn't showing on the screens and she declared the emergency about the time they were reacting to her not transmitting her position."
"You know the route she takes; map it for me and for whoever's in the air. Give them about where they should look."
"Steve," Star said, "I've done that. She should be between Melbourne and Sebring someplace. They do a touch and go at Melbourne then head for Sebring and then route around the bombing range."
"What are Wes and Jimmy flying?"
Star looked at me and said, "Jimmy took a 200B as it had just come in and was parked in front of the hangar. Wes took a 150 as he said he could land it nearly anywhere if he found her. There are six other aircraft out looking for her already. The helicopter guys just left on their way over there. They don't have a lot of fuel time and will probably have to refuel fairly quick."
I felt the fear of losing someone. I was also hesitant of adding to the congestion by flying another aircraft into that area. Too bad I missed the helicopter.
Over our charter radio frequency, Jimmy called, "I've got her. The plane is just short of the Sebring track. There is one person out of the plane waving. I'm wagging the wings. Wes, do you copy?"
"I'm almost there, Jimmy, how close to the track?"
Jimmy answered, "Less than a hundred yards. Land on the track. Star, call the FAA and NTSB to report the accident. I've already called for an ambulance and fire equipment. The plane looks half decent, but I'm sure it's busted up."
I grabbed the mike for the radio and said, "Wes, make sure you let us know as soon as you can."
"Will do, Steve," came Wes' voice. You could hear the strain in it.
Shortly Wes announced, "I'm going down on the track. I should be able to taxi right up to the side where they are. I can't tell whether it's DeDe or the student, but whoever is out is leaning into the aircraft."
Jimmy announced, "The helicopter is just about here and I can see emergency vehicles coming. They should be here within five minutes."
This sucked. I felt helpless that I couldn't do something, anything. All I could do was stand there and listen to the radio.
Wes announced, "I'm down and heading to the plane."
Now we had to wait. Wait for someone to get back to us about the condition of DeDe and the student. I asked Star, "Who's the student?"
"It's Zena Parks. She and Tom are both going through all the training. She's just about ready to solo. I was up in that 172 yesterday and it was fine. It was flying perfect."
My cell phone rang. When I looked at who was calling I saw it was from Wes. "Steve here."
Wes said, "Both instructor and student are alive. The student is unhurt but the instructor has a broken leg and arm. She was trying to wrestle the plane down. She said that she thinks a control cable broke. Then the engine quit and she couldn't get the plane to glide straight. She didn't break the gear but the prop is gone so the engine is probably trashed. Everything else looks good. I want to see why the engine quit and why that cable broke."
"Just take care of DeDe right now. An ambulance should be pulling up as we speak. Get both of them to the hospital and have them checked out. Keep us posted. If one of the guys from the helicopter can fly the little Cessna you took over there, have him fly it back. You stay with DeDe and the student. Her name is Zena Parks."
"I was planning on staying with DeDe anyway. I'll buy the 150 and give it away. DeDe is more important."
"We'll get it taken care of, Wes. Just go take care of the ladies."
Wes said, "I'll call with an update."
I sent a mechanic over to the helicopter company's office to ask them about who was on the helicopter. He left and came back to say, "There are three aboard the chopper. All three are fixed wing rated. They called and one of them will fly the 150 back."
Star said, "I called in the accident and they are going to send someone out to the site right now. Thank God there are no fatalities. It's bad enough to have one of our planes go down."
Jimmy came back and landed and immediately went to the file cabinet where the maintenance inspection papers were kept. He kept looking at them over and over. He said, "I did the inspection myself. I remember sliding my fingers over all of the cable. No nicks, no frays. It's part of the inspection. I went through every access panel. The cables were replaced the last major. I want to see that aircraft. Steve, I want to head over there in a truck. I have to see this for myself."
"Go, but don't get into trouble with the safety board people. They have to do an inspection. Make sure they allow you to do whatever you do."
Jimmy said, "I'll stay within what I should do. I have to find out though."
Shortly after Jimmy drove out of the airpark, Sue drove up to the parking area and the four ladies got out of Sue's Expedition. We brought them all up to date, making them a little more relieved to hear that both instructor and student were alive. When Sue and Mercy found out the student was Zena Parks, Sue said, "Wouldn't you know it? Someone we know, not all that well, but we still know them."
It was over an hour before we received a call from Wes with an update. "The bad news is that DeDe has both a broken arm and lower leg. The good news is they are both minor fractures. She said she broke her arm trying to pull on the yoke. She broke her leg against the cockpit wall when they hit. She was able to roll out about five hundred feet before she nosed over. She did well under the circumstances."
We had the call on the charter office speakerphone so everyone could hear. Sue said, "I'm on my way over to bring you all home, Wes. My car should be fine. I'll bring someone else to help, but we'll be there in about an hour and a half at most."
Wes said, "I want to look at the aircraft. I want to see what really happened."
I told him, "Jimmy is on his way right now in a truck to take a look. He'll be able to see what's up fast. I told him not to get in the NTSB's way out there."
"Okay," Wes said, "I guess that's okay. But the engine quit. Engines just don't quit. They choke, sputter, and try to keep running. Even when you run out of fuel, they will sputter. DeDe said the engine just quit, as if someone flipped the master switch or turned off the key. I'll stay with everyone. Zena has called her husband and told him she's fine. She will wait and ride back with us. I'll see you guys in a little while."
Star had sat down in her chair. Big tears were running down her face. She said, "Damn, we've been through everything together, and I'm not there to help her. I don't know what I would do if I lost her. She's my family, my closest friend. We're like sisters, even more than that."
Sue and Kathy had taken off for Sebring already. Mercy and Juanita were hugging Star, comforting her. There were still two mechanics standing in the office. The one named Frank said, "Guess we need to go back to work. With the boss and Nick gone, we'll have to take up the slack. We have two Lears and two G-5s coming back. We have the 200B that Jimmy was using to go over. Come on, Bob, let's get at it."
Star looked up at me and said, "That's another thing, we need more mechanics. The four of them are doing it, but the overtime is starting to be too much for them. We could use two more. Tell Jimmy to hire them, please."
"I'll do that, Star. Check on DeDe's instruction schedule to see how we can spread the load around. I know she's been on a lot of G-5 runs lately too. Does John have enough other pilots on call to cover what DeDe is scheduled for?"
Star looked up at me questioningly, "How do I know? This just happened. I've got to go over the entire schedule. We're not that big that we can lose an instructor and G5 pilot and just keep on without feeling it."
I patted Star gently on her back, "Don't get upset, Star, I'm just asking. When you have a chance, look at it. Let me know."
There was nothing else to be done at the charter service, so I suggested I take Mercy and Juanita home. The folks at home needed to be updated too.
Mercy said, "I've called Glenda constantly to let her know. She'll tell everyone else. I think Juanita should stay with Star, and I'll go back and help with the kids. It's going to be bedlam there as soon as classes let out up at the rec center."
At home, the patio was packed with people waiting to hear the latest of DeDe. Mercy and I were telling what we knew repeatedly. The cable news channel was on the big TV and had a spot concerning the airplane accident. The news reporter told the camera that one of the experienced pilots on site had said our instructor pilot must be one of the best to be able to bring the plane in with no power and almost no control. He said, "All pilots learn to bring an airplane in for landing without power, but no where do you learn how to bring one in without full control of the air surfaces."
The reporter went on to say that the accident was being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. He did say that the final determination of the cause of the accident can take weeks and even months.
I thought to myself, 'I don't think so. I'll bet Jimmy knows exactly what failed and how it failed by tomorrow.'
Right after five, Chuck showed up with his five ladies and Wanda. Tina came with tall Lena. All of them were concerned and wanted to do something. Tina said, "In a couple of years, when I'm a real doctor, I'll be more help. Right now, I'm still just learning."
Chuck asked, "Where's Lisa today. She said she was probably going to be late tonight."
Wanda said, "Lisa and John are both on the same trip. They have the family that goes to San Diego or Los Angeles. They won't be back until tomorrow unless they are just dropping them off. I'll call Star, she'll know."
About five thirty, Sue called to tell me that she was loading Zena, DeDe, and Wes into the car. Sue said, "Wes wants me to drop him off at the accident site, but I told him to let Jimmy work on the plane. He's agreed, so we're on our way. We should be home in about an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half."
"Drive carefully," I cautioned, then told her, "We'll save you some food. Does DeDe need a wheelchair?"
There was a pause, then Sue said, "Get one. She may not want to use it but it would come in handy until her arm is better. See if you can find one of those motorized chairs. That would be good."
"I'll call right away," I said. "See you soon."
Chuck and I were sitting at the bar with most of the other men. He said, "DeDe is a hell of a good pilot. She gave me a lot of my instrument instruction. I'll bet she's still using that same route. You go to Melbourne, fly toward Sebring for a touch and go, then dodge around the restricted airspace going toward Sarasota."
Tiny commented, "That's the same route that you fly when you are in the basic pilot school too. I remember flying over the Sebring airport and track all the time."
A hospital supply delivery truck showed up to drop off the electric wheelchair. The guy said that if we had any problem with it to call and they would replace it right away. Hopefully, DeDe will use it instead of trying to navigate with crutches.
All of us ate, but sparingly. It seemed as if we all thought we should save food for those that weren't there. Right at seven, Jimmy called me on my cell. He said, "The NTSB guy is releasing the plane to me. I have a big flat bed, along with a truck with a lift on it, tall enough to get the plane on the flat bed. I've already pulled the wings off, so we'll be at the airpark in a couple of hours. Steve, I want to pull the video tapes of where this aircraft has been for the last week. It was just a week ago that I pulled the annual. Between then and when this happened, the right cable was scored so deeply the cable broke. How many times do you hear of that happening? Then there is the power cable connection. That does not just fall apart. The clips on it are good, but it was totally separated. We pull them for the inspection and the NTSB guy says we probably didn't put it back together correctly. Not a chance, I did it and I remember that it seated. I'm not perfect, Steve, but I don't screw up on airplanes. Not like that."
"I'll run out and copy the drives on the security DVRs. We'll look at them on the playback monitor to see if there's anything unusual. Just relax though and drive back safely. You're more important than an airplane."
Jimmy said, "I don't feel like that, Steve, but I'm driving with the truck carrying our airplane. We'll be there in about two hours. We'll probably stop for something to eat."
After hanging up, I gave everyone a short version that Jimmy was bringing the airplane back to our maintenance hangar. I turned to Chuck, "Want to come with me out to the airpark? I need to check on something."
I told Chuck what Jimmy had asked me to do on the way out to the airpark. Chuck said, "That's probably a good idea. Since you have cameras covering everything, let's take a look to see if we can spot anything. It's only a week's worth if he's accurate on when he pulled the annual."
Out at the park, the night attendant for the charter service was on and the two night mechanics were working on customer aircraft. We checked the maintenance file for the aircraft to find out the annual was complete six days ago. Chuck and I went into the back room of the charter office where the video recording equipment was, and began down loading the recordings by day for the last full week. We ended up with two days in the maintenance hangar, and six days of two cameras in the light aircraft hangar.
While we were recording the days on DVDs, we ran the two days in the maintenance hangar at a fast speed. During heavy people activity, we slowed it down, but then speeded it back up when there wasn't anyone in contact with the aircraft. We were just finishing copying the days, when we heard the unmistakable sound of a G5 stopping and turning around in front of the jet hangar.
We put the copies into a folder then walked out to see which G5 was returning. The maintenance guys were already hooking the plane up to the tow motor when the door opened and the steps lowered. John then Lisa got off the plane, then turned to take some trash bags from two attendants. The attendants looked back inside the plane, then stepped down with John and Lisa.
Chuck and I met them, as the four came into the charter office. Lisa said, "Wow, a welcoming committee."
John said, "What's happened, I get the feeling all is not well."
I spent five minutes telling the four what had happened and what we knew so far. John just shook his head and said, "No way does Jimmy miss a power cable, especially the main cable. And you say a control cable broke? That doesn't happen or at least it is very rare. I want to see that. If there was a knick on it, Jimmy would have felt it. That's how you check those. You wear thin gloves and run your finger over the cable. If you get a metal splinter, the plane gets a new cable."
Lisa said, "We're going to be short one instructor and one weekend G5 jockey. Chuck, you might have to cover with me this weekend. DeDe and I were supposed to pick up the family in California and bring them home. That's Sunday, and we have something for Saturday, too."
I said, "We'll work it out. Chuck might have to give some lessons. It's about time he does some more. You haven't given any lessons for over a month. Even before that, you were only doing like two a week."
"My goodness," Chuck protested, "I do have a job that keeps me pretty busy. I'll help when I can. DeDe hasn't been asking lately. I've never turned her down when I'm in town."
I said, "Don't worry, Sue, Mercy, Kathy, and I can take up some slack. Kathy and Mercy wanted all that flight time to get their instructors certificates; they might as well put them to good use."
Lisa said, "Come with me, Chuck, I'll give you a ride. I'm sure the girls are all at the patio. See you there Steve, John."
I said, "Chuck, I may need your help with this. Stay in touch, okay? You know we do ferry a lot of fed personnel around. This could affect them."
"No sweat, Steve, if you need some more experts, I can have the Bureau's techs come out and check things out.
"I might take you up on that, Chuck," I said, as we got ready to leave.
Before Chuck and Lisa left, Lisa asked, "What are you talking about, Steve? Do you think someone did something to the airplane?"
I answered, "Jimmy just wants to go over all of our security tapes to be sure. He's very adamant that the annual he just performed on the plane was a good one."
Lisa said, "Damn, he's so thorough, it's ridiculous. He follows me around my preflights on the jets to make sure I'm doing everything. I can't believe he would miss something."
I just said, "To err is human, but you know S&S doesn't hire humans."
With a chuckle, Lisa and Chuck left for the patio.
Before leaving the charter office, I called out to Tom Parks. I had to call Park Place first, and was given Tom's cell phone.
"Hey, Tom, I know you've heard from your wife. If you want to meet her, come over to the patio at the trailer park. They should be here in about an hour or less. You can have a beer with us while you wait."
Tom said, "This is a hell of way to visit. At least it isn't real serious. I wish it had been me instead of Zena. That was probably a hell of a lesson. I'm sure she'll tell me all about it. I'll be over there in about twenty minutes. I'll probably have to bring little Joanie. She's about going nuts worrying about Zena. Shannon is working, so she can't come."
"Just come over. It's been a while since you guys have been to the house. You need to come more often, especially on Fridays."
Tom said, "I'll be there. You know Fridays out here in our park are always special. It's the start of the weekend, and all the weekend people are coming in. It's like a weekly party."
"Well, come now and meet your lady when she steps out of the car. Sue's driving them back."
"I know," Tom said, "Zena's called every fifteen minutes since the accident. She even called me when they were going down to tell me she loved me. That was scary. When they crashed, the first thing she said is that she was all right but she thought DeDe was hurt. I was scared, let me tell you. I guess everything is going to turn out all right, except that DeDe has some mending to do."
I said, "She'll heal. Everyone will pamper her to death. See you in a few."
Back home, I talked to Hap about putting a live guy out around our hangars. He looked at me funny and said, "The airpark has a roving guard. You have video everywhere. That should be enough."
"It might be, Hap, but if the video camera sees something, it doesn't tell us that it's happening. We don't have motion detectors in the hangars because of birds and bats. The occasional cat or raccoon running through would set it off too. Just put a guy out there to cover the six hangars we have right now. Between the hangars and the offices, we have a big investment. I'll feel better if we do that."
Hap said, "I'll set it up. Let me call one of my part timers and see if he can cover tonight and tomorrow. I'll arrange a schedule to cover out there from now on until you tell me to stop."
Sue, Kathy, DeDe, Zena, and Wes got back. You would have thought DeDe had been gone for months the way Star attacked her. Star was worse than a doting grandmother. One of the guys pushed the electric wheelchair out to the car for DeDe, and she laughed. "I'm not that bad off. The leg isn't a complete break, it's just a crack. The arm isn't that bad either. Come on guys, I'm not a cripple."
Tom grabbed Zena and held her close. You could tell he had been seriously worried. Little Joanie was right there to hug both of them. They were a close group.
It took ten minutes before I could get close to DeDe. Wes was hovering over her protectively, while Star was even worse. I gently hugged DeDe and congratulated her for bringing her student down safely.
Zena heard me and asked, "Do you charge extra for emergency training?"
At least she was smiling. I said, "We like it to be a little more controlled than that, Zena. I'm glad you're safe. Hope the ride wasn't too bumpy."
With Joanie still hanging onto her, Zena said, "Actually the landing was gentler than some of my early ones. We just stopped pretty fast and there was a crunch when the propeller jammed into the ground. I'm glad I was with DeDe, though. She is really a good pilot."
Zena tried to extricate herself from Joanie and said, "Come on, they have beer right over there, Joanie. I want one."
Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious
Last one through — Deenara2000