Nearing the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the north, Angela picked up the microphone
and bellowed intentionally in a rather false authoritative voice, “Lancaster tower, this is
cessna 238victor, coming up over the turnpike north, request landing instructions, and
how’s the weather there?” Her father smiled at this last remark for why would the
weather be any different just about 20 miles away? “Cessna238victor,” the voice roared
from the radio’s speaker, “call again over the airport for a left turn to runway three one,
wind 310 degrees at 10knots, altimeter 3005. Possible traffic will be a tripacer about 15
miles south of airport making a left turn to three one.” “Roger,” retorted Angela,” We’ll
be on the lookout”.
All the controllers at the tower knew Angela as she visited several times a week. Sometimes just to say hello, but more often to learn the intricacies of the control tower, for her purpose was to learn all she could in all aspects of aviation. Some of the controllers knew Angela ever since she was a gauky 12 year old tomboy, pitching for the Lancaster Tigers. They were sometimes amazed at the changes in her appearance and personality. No longer was she gauky, nor was she a tomboy. She had grown into a fine young teenager, who no longer thought the game of baseball, playing sports or hanging around with the guys was the most important things in her life. Although she still loved sports, she rarely participated in them except as one of the High school’s cheer leaders. She set a fine example of a girl growing up and beginning to mature as a beautiful woman. Tall for her age, gone was the once appearance of gauky ungainly arms, which had suddenly developed to a beautiful feminine appearance. Although her freckles were still there , they took on the appearance of seemingly to enhance her already flawless complexion. Her breasts not quite developed yet matched her figure nicely, with a promise to complete its development in no time at all.
She didn’t know what happened to Charlie Gazey, the centerfielder with whom she had a
crush on, and who returned his interest in her only with such endearments, as, “all right
Angie, easy out,” and such similar remarks. However, Angie, no longer pursued boys
merely because they were taller than she, or because they excelled in sports. In fact, it
was not necessary for her to pursue boys at all, they pursued her.
Angie now with one hand on the throttle of the airplane, the other hand on the wheel (a
procedure that her dad had imbedded in her) carefully checked the gauges of the aircraft,
assuring that all was okay for her landing at the airport. Passing over Ephrata,
Pennsylvania, she brought the wheel of the airplane forward slowly descending the
altitude to 1,500 feet, which was the landing pattern altitude. She was always amazed
when passing over this area of the beauty of the terrain, with its sloping hills, the emerald
green fields, where corn or wheat was growing. The barns with their roofs painted a
bright red. Although, one could not see it from the air, she could visualize the Amish
symbols painted with vivid colors in front of the barns. Each symbol was different, and
had a different special meaning.
“Cessna238victor over the airport, ready to turn downwind. “ reported Angela. “Cessna
238victor” came the swift reply, number 2 to land runway 31, traffic is that Tripacer just
turning final.” Got it in sight,” replied Angela. Turning into base leg from downwind,
and adjusting the throttle to a lower speed, Angela banked the aircraft smartly,
descending to a lower altitude and adjusting the interval of her aircraft so as to follow the
Tripacer just ahead of her at the proper distance. As the Tripacer ahead touched down on
the runway, Angela reported, “Cessna238Victor, turning final,” emphasizing the word
Victor, apparently to prove to the controller that she was in full command of her airplane.
“Clear to land,” was the reply, “roger.”
Adjusting the flaps on the aircraft to slow it down to proper landing speed, without
stalling the plane, Angela lined the airplane with the center of the runway, and when the
airplane crossed the threshold of the runway, Angela flared the plane, cut the throttle,
tilted its nose up a bit, the airplane making a perfect three point landing. The passenger
not having to fly the plane, was relaxed, and enjoying himself , and jokingly reminded
Angela, “don’t forget to put the flaps back to neutral.” “Aw dad, you don’t have to
remind me, I know that”.
“Cessna238Victor, turn left at the next taxiway. Contact ground control on one two one point seven.” “Roger dodger,” reported Angela mischievously taunting her dad and the controllers, knowing that they preferred she not to use any extraneous phraseology in communications with the control tower. Knowing Angela all too well, the controller dismissed her added pun, and added his own, “238Victoria, have a nice day.”
“Ground control. two hundred thirty eight Victor with you,” “Two hundred thirty eight V....is cleared to the ramp.” Taxiing to the barn, (hangar) Angela was in deep thought, mostly reflecting on the time when she would be 16 years old, when she would be able to obtain her student license, and solo, fly the airplane with no one but herself in the cockpit. “Oh, my gosh, I can’t wait, hurry, hurry birthday, please.” Although she had been flying and taking lessons from her dad for many years, and could probably fly an airplane better than anyone she knew, except for maybe the commercial pilots, the ones that flew the big jets. But there was no way that she could fly alone, until that magic age of 16 years. But that was not all that was on her mind as she continued taxiing, she was looking ahead when she would be 17 years old, when she could take the examination, both written and practical for a private airplane license, when she, not only could fly the plane without any guidance, but could take passengers with her, which a student license did not permit.
This and other things were on her mind. Aviation was the prime importance in her life. She visualized herself at the helm of a large jet aircraft, crossing the ocean, and carrying several hundred passengers. Wow, what a responsibility that would be. But, she did not dwell on this aspect very long. What she really had on her mind was to have a heart to heart talk with her dad.
The Cessna150, which they had for a long time now was getting a bit small for them. It only had 2 seats, so there was no room for any more passengers . Angela looking ahead, visualized the time that she would receive her Private Pilots License, whereas she would be able to carry passengers, may want to take a few of her friends up with her, and show them what happiness was all about. The thrill of being in free space, The feeling of freedom from care and worry, and of course homework. This was really bothering Angie. She had to approach her dad with finesse and discuss the possibilities and advantages of upgrading their Cessna with a larger and possibly more powerful airplane.
So it was these thoughts that Angela had on her mind, as they reached the tie-down area She did realize that she may be acting a bit selfish, for she really was thinking of herself, herself and her friends, but she thought, “what the heck, he’s my dad. isn’t he? He loves me more than anything in the world, except for maybe my Mom, and he will understand as he always has, how much I love him, and that I would also do anything in the world for him.”
