Frontier Airlines summer 1950-part 6

[beaky]

Witht he young copilot in the left seat, they prepare for takeoff after another quick turnaround. This time they'll make use of the newfangled VOR station at Worland...happily, they're receiving a signal, even on the ground at some distance.








"I see I can learn a great deal from you about taxiing the DC3", the captain says drolly as the copilot struggles to remain on the taxiway. "Never said it was easy", the copilot replies.






the takeoff is fair, and the captain is pleased to see this youngster flying with precision as he levels off and turns to track the radial.
I have no idea which airports had VORs or ILS in 1950, or which of Frontier's aircraft used them, so for now I'm just using what's available...




His navigation is good, too... the captain has no comment. he attributes this skill to the fact that the kid's been doing a lot of navigation as copilot...






Eventually Worland slides into view. The captain notes that there will be quite a crosswind on this approach: he's looking forward to the fumblings of this novice, but is prepared to grab the yoke if necessary.


Next: a little surprise

[krigl]

This is an entertaining series, very enjoyable!!! I like the slightly technical edge to it, but most of all, the humour!

[beaky]

This is an entertaining series, very enjoyable!!! I like the slightly technical edge to it, but most of all, the humour!

Thanks... the storytelling style, I'll confess,is lifted almost directly from Ernest Gann, who flew Douglases before, during and after WWII, and described it so very well.
For example (describing the sarcasm of a captain he once flew with as copilot):
"Of course! Why not go down and have a look at Syracuse? ... They're only reporting a ceiling of three hundred feet and half a mile visibility in blowing snow... What are we doing fooling around up here in the sun for? ... I should have consulted you much sooner! I've never met a co-pilot who knew so much. I should inform the payroll department they've made a serious mistake..."