Sport Pilot Talk

Flying from Gainesville FL toward PA yesterday, I happened to make an unplanned stop in Reidsville GA, due to high winds and turbulence. The terminal building was abandoned, and closed - but there was a numeric cipher lock on the door. I punched in the CTAF frequency, and the door opened. Inside, I spied a collection of first solo shirt-tails hung out for all to see. Having nothing better to do while waiting for the winds to abate, I started reading the shirts - and recognized the name of Parker, a member of this community, who had soloed a PiperSport there four years or so ago.

It happens that I had Parker's phone number in my smartphone, since I had done a prebuy examination for him on an Evektor he ultimately bought. Bear in mind that I hadn't known he lived in this small town, and had no idea if his plane was based here - but I rang him up anyway. He drove out to the airport to meet me, we chatted a while, and as the winds picked up he offered me a hangar and helped me put the plane away for the night. We admired each other's airplanes (his was just a couple of hangars down the row from where he parked me). He then lent me a car. As the weather wasn't improving, I accepted his kind offer, found myself a motel room, and later that evening we had a pleasant dinner together. (It being Cinco de Mayo, we opted for Mexican.)

This morning, I left his car and key in the designated location, and flew North. (Wx is still crappy - I only made it as far as Fayetville NC.)

Isn't GA hospitality amazing? (Both General Aviation and Georgia!)

drseti wrote:Isn't GA hospitality amazing? (Both General Aviation and Georgia!)

++1

drseti wrote:Flying from Gainesville FL toward PA yesterday, I happened to make an unplanned stop in Reidsville GA, due to high winds and turbulence. The terminal building was abandoned, and closed - but there was a numeric cipher lock on the door. I punched in the CTAF frequency, and the door opened. Inside, I spied a collection of first solo shirt-tails hung out for all to see. Having nothing better to do while waiting for the winds to abate, I started reading the shirts - and recognized the name of Parker, a member of this community, who had soloed a PiperSport there four years or so ago.

It happens that I had Parker's phone number in my smartphone, since I had done a prebuy examination for him on an Evektor he ultimately bought. Bear in mind that I hadn't known he lived in this small town, and had no idea if his plane was based here - but I rang him up anyway. He drove out to the airport to meet me, we chatted a while, and as the winds picked up he offered me a hangar and helped me put the plane away for the night. We admired each other's airplanes (his was just a couple of hangars down the row from where he parked me). He then lent me a car. As the weather wasn't improving, I accepted his kind offer, found myself a motel room, and later that evening we had a pleasant dinner together. (It being Cinco de Mayo, we opted for Mexican.)

This morning, I left his car and key in the designated location, and flew North. (Wx is still crappy - I only made it as far as Fayetville NC.)

Isn't GA hospitality amazing? (Both General Aviation and Georgia!)

Yes it is.
That was a wonderful little story. Thanks for sharing it.

Ever in the DFW area you'll can expect the same.

drseti wrote:I only made it as far as Fayetville NC.

And my phone didn't ring...

That's because I don't have your number, Frank. I'll be at Signature Aviation at 7 AM, with a planned 8 AM takeoff, if you'd care to stop by and see the plane.

It certainly wasn't an ill wind that blew you into Reidsville (maybe that is a matter of perspective). I was surprised and delighted to hear that you were at our airport. I enjoyed our visit and the sharing of all things flying and university professing (not to be construed as confessing).

To say that I admired your plane is taking "admire" to a new level. It was more like covet.

I'm looking forward to your next visit, and I welcome any others on this board stopping by, and staying awhile. As people around here say, "Ya'll come."

And speaking of coming, the Reidsville Airport Authority is sponsoring a flyin and canoe the Ohoopee River (which curls around the airport) this next Saturday, May 14. If anyone is interested in the details send me an email.