January 12, 2007

Where am I

Mild weather, no snow, a light drizzle and temperatures of fifty degrees. "What season is this?", we ask ourselves in stunned disbelief. But no one really complains too much about the lack of snow or absence of bitter cold. Afterall, the need for a winter escape, a warm climate for a week or long weekend, becomes less important.

Pilots of small cargo planes also appreciate the mild weather and absence of icing. Thursday's flight outbound was met with low clouds at 3,000 and some drizzle. The entire flight down was in the clouds with light turbulence. It requires instrument flying and airplane electronic navigation. "Where am I?", is a common thought during the hour long flight.

This question has an immediate reply, and intermediate answer, and a long-term philosophical pondering. "Where am I?"

The short answer is, "In an airplane. Climbing to a cruise altitude of 6,000 feet, heading south, and fifty minutes from destination." It answers the immediate question, one which asks for our identity in the space around us. The answer combines our presence with that of the plane, adds a location in space, and concludes with a time. The three elements: time, space, and ourselves become questions with answers. This is the short-term message.

In the intermediate answer of "Where am I?", we ponder the context of time and space. When will the trip conclude? What happens after airplane tie down? How long do I get to sleep in the crew quiet lounge? Will the recliner chair be broken and excessively tilted again to the point of my head being lower then my feet? How heavy is the return load? Will there be an early departure? Many questions and in time the answers come. Again the context of ourselves in the airport environment and the people we work with.

A longer term question of "Where am I?" ponders the current job v.s. other opportunities. A fleet of large cargo jets offers the hope of bigger and faster travel, more money and time off. It seems attractive and it is. Other questions arise from "Where am I?", and speak to our place in time and space, of the years in our careers, the people we have for friends and family, and where we live. It is a larger question and one that eases in and out of minds during cruise flight segments.

A quiet eeriness accompanies cruise flight in clouds. There is nothing outside to reference for ground or sky contact. Occasional cloud layers are discerned outside the windows. But these passing moments come and go and the grey envelopment contains the view. It is a time of wonder and mystery.

Dual altimeters indicate airplane height, dual compasses provide headings, electronic navigation includes ground-based and satellite-based systems which can locate position to within a few hundred feet. An electronic moving map displays nearby airports and their identifiers, a course line connects the flight path and is currently set to twenty five miles out. Airborne radar displays light rain as circular cells and intensity from level one light green, to level 3 yellow, and higher levels with colors of red and purple. The last color, purple, is reserved for the most intense precipitation returns. Tonight's radar display is mostly clear or light rain. It's winter, what do you expect!?.

The only significant weather challenge is the wind at destination. A strong southwest wind with speeds of 17 mph and gusts to 31 gives some challenge. The runway is aligned nearly with the wind during final approach. One benefit of the strong headwind is the slower ground speed and short landing distance. A normal touchdown at the runway end leads to a short rollout and easy exit to the first taxiway. Another five minutes of taxi later and the airplane arrives at the cargo ramp. Its contents unloaded, the first segment is finished. Time to close out the flight and get a few hours of rest.

The crew lounge quiet area is empty and first arrivals pick their reclining chairs. I find one which works normally and doze contentedly. The wake-up is the difficult part. You get "just enough sleep to be painful", in the words of an experienced co-worker. There is some truth to that as you amble out of the quiet room and back into the bright lights of the lounge. Calls to company flight following are made, time enroute, fuel required, and alternate airport are provided. The nightly information is the same. A welcome routine. So too is the shuttle to the flight line. Two colleagues join me and we have short conversations. They have 7 and 17 years with the company. I ask what keeps them there? One person just says things related to finding a place to be and staying there. Reward and risk, and what do you want? The job does provide stability for those who seek it.

On descent into South Bend the entire segment is filled with clouds. Cockpit lighting is dimmed and the primary instruments for altitude, heading, and airspeed get the attention. Flying straight and descending is managed with a capable autopilot system. Monitoring the descent and conducting a stabilized rate down are the primary pilot duties. Arriving at the assigned altitude of 3,000 feet and now ten miles from the airport, the radar controller issues the final approach instructions.

A previously arriving company airplane was able to make a visual approach. This provides some encouraging news. A light at the end of a tunnel. Will it hold true now? The descent approaches 3,000 feet but no ground lights are visible, either from ahead or looking out the side and directly below the wheels. Could the news be premature?

The news is current. Arriving right at the assigned altitude the clouds part. Ground contact is visible and a quick report made to the controller. Receiving an approach clearance the descent continues to a traffic pattern. Strong winds from the departure station follow the plane home and the western runway. An approach, a touchdown, and a smooth landing conclude the flight.

It is early morning outside, but welcome airport lights guide the plane's path off the white runway lights and to the blue taxi lights. A short while later and the plane is parked at the cargo ramp. Cheery greetings from the morning ramp agents begin the unloading process.

Where am I? We ask this question, follow journey, and arrive at the end. The question is repeated. Time passes. We are born, grow up, age, and pass on. The time of Epiphany follows Christmas. It marks the time when wise men arrived in Bethlehem and saw Jesus birth. Here lies the answer to the "where am I" question. We are in the season of light, joy, hope, peace, and love.

Scott