One Year On.
At the time that I last parked the brakes on my Boeing 737, there were two things to which I was oblivious. Firstly, that it was the last time that I’d park the brakes. And secondly, it was Halloween. In retrospect, the time of …
Stairs and Elevators.
Stairs and Elevators. I’ve often perceived personal progress as the comparison between stairs and elevators. Sometimes it’s a laborious climb and sometimes a quick, quiet rise. Which method you employ can be beyond your control, dependent upon the whims of luck, timing and even …
You’ll Never Know About the One that Kills You.
“If I felt or heard a thump, I knew I was still alive. I figured I’d never know about the one that killed me.” This is a quote of my father’s that now adorns a wall within the Australian War Memorial. As I reflected …
The Old Blokes in the Corner.
The Old Blokes in the Corner. I was fortunate in that the era in which I learnt to fly was populated by mentors with a wealth of experience. Back then, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) went through a series of name changes from the …
Six Months On.
Six Months On. “Gee, that time’s gone quickly”. This is the most common response when I tell people that six months has passed since my surgery. For the most part, I agree. However, in the early stages of recovery there were days that seemed to …
The Climb.
The Climb. Having received so many good wishes of late regarding my recovery after surgery, I thought it was time for a post referencing the same. The timing was particularly relevant as I have just completed my walk for the day and this hike included …
Time Travel, Music and a Road to Recovery.
Time Travel, Music and a Road to Recovery. I have never been musically talented. To offer some perspective to this statement, I had the triangle taken from me in the percussion section when I was in Year 7 – or First Form, for those that …
My Dad Never Marched on Anzac Day.
My Dad Never Marched on ANZAC Day. Both of my parents served in the military – in wartime and in peace. My mother marched on Anzac Day but my father never did. My mother was an Air Force radar operator – a “hush hush” …
Unforgettable….My Years as an Ambo.
(A much younger me on duty.) Unforgettable…My Years as an Ambo. At the core, I always wanted to be a pilot. However, the path to the cockpit is an expensive business and the road an even longer one. On leaving school, I entered a business …
Strolling Through Seville
Strolling Through Seville (Part One) Some years ago, I was very fortunate to be the guest of Airbus, covering their military projects in Spain and their civil facility in France. Transiting Dubai and Madrid, the journey finally found me touching down in Seville in the …