It rolls in swirling, mounding, falling.  The view through the window into the retardant tank in the cockpit is interesting.   Reminiscent of the desert sand, it rolls up into hills, then falls away into valleys.

The color red is a constant companion in my life… Continue reading →

After the great “hotel scramble”, the next morning had a truly “brief” briefing.  Dispatch sheets were handed out with no fanfare.

My driver had the plane untied by the time I arrived. Continue reading →

A “wind event” was forecast.  Wind beyond 30 knots grounds the SEATs.  Wind that’s really high runs a risk of damage.  Wind that is strong makes fires race.

For those reasons, and possibly others…the “powers-that-be” declared that our pair of SEATs be moved 150 nm northwest.  Off we went, with predictions of return that evening, or at the latest the next morning….. Continue reading →

I realized today, that it’s been almost 4 months on the road this “summer”.  I was going along in my mobile home…..

As we were moved to another location.  I was happy.  Not exactly delirious, but sincerely, truly happy.  I laughed as I realized I was “at home”.  The 802 was humming along (as 802s do), the air was smooth…(lots of times it isn’t), the scenery was beautiful, and I was in formation with one of my favorite people with which to fly formation….. Continue reading →