Life after the Lottery Ch. 74

"Hi, honey!" Dawn teased me.

"What is this?"

"Just having some fun."

"Hi, Jeanine," I said as she walked up.

Dawn and Jeanine went into the house, and I followed.

"What are you two doing?" I asked.

"When we went to Atlanta, I asked Jeanine to take me for a test ride," Dawn said.

"Why?"

"Oh, I was just curious how hard it was to fly a helicopter."

"Okay...why?" I asked.

"Jeanine just made it look so simple in Linda's helicopter. I wanted to see how hard it was."

"And it is not as hard as you thought it was, is it?" Jeanine said.

"Nope!"

"We have been flying around for a while. I have been letting Dawn fly some," Jeanine said.

Dawn had walked to the kitchen.

"Let's get something to eat," Dawn said.

I went to the kitchen with Jeanine and sat down with her while Dawn made some sandwiches.

"So, why are you curious about helicopters?" I asked Dawn.

"I thought it just looked like something fun to do," Dawn said.

Dawn smiled at me as she worked on the sandwiches.

"It is fun flying," Jeanine said.

"I thought it would be harder." Dawn talked to Jeanine like I wasn't there.

"Taking off, hovering, and landing is the hardest part," Jeanine added.

"Why are you really flying around in a helicopter?" I asked.

"I asked Jeanine how hard it was to fly one while we were in Atlanta. She told me not as hard as it looked. So, she took me up today. Flying is pretty cool."

"And?"

"I was just wondering about a way I could get back and forth to the reservation faster."

"Are you thinking about having someone fly you there when you need to go?" I asked.

"Well...actually...I was thinking about learning to fly myself."

"You're kidding?"

"No. I could get to the reservation in about 2 hours. Jeanine, I'm not being mean, but I figured if she can fly one, any woman can. Right, Jeanine?"

"Right."

"You want to learn to fly a helicopter?" I asked.

"Why not? I think I can do it."

"I have no doubt you can do it, honey..."

"You could learn with me."

"Jeanine, what is involved in getting a pilot's license for a helicopter?" I asked.

"If you don't already have a fixed-wing pilot's license, you have to attend and pass ground school. Once you have done that, you need a minimum of about 40 hours in a helicopter, about 10 of that is solo flying. That will get you a private helicopter pilot's license."

"Then what?" I asked.

"You also have to pass a flight physical first, but that shouldn't be an issue. Then depending on the helicopter you chose to learn on, the hourly rate is $350 to $1000 an hour. In a real helicopter, it will cost you about $30,000 to get your license, but...if you are going to get a pilot's license, you really should get instrument rated. That would be another $15,000 or so, depending on the helicopter."

"What do you mean a real helicopter?" I asked.

"A turbine helicopter...not one of the new small gas-powered jobs."

"You don't like the small ones?" I asked.

"Nope."

"So, if you get your pilot's license and fly to the reservation and back, it would be about $2,000 or $3,000," I said.

"So?" Came from Dawn. I smiled at her.

"Flying a helicopter is not as cheap as a small plane," Jeanine said. "You can buy a nice small plan for about $30,000 and up."

"What does a "real" helicopter cost?" Dawn asked.

"Well, we are flying in a Bell Ranger. You can get a good used one with full instrumentation for about $750,000 or so."

"See, that's not bad," Dawn said.

"I word of warning, annual maintenance on a helicopter is not as cheap as a small plane," Jeanine said as she ate her sandwich.

"What are the maintenance costs?" I asked.

"It is easiest to budget your maintenance cost by flight hours. Complex helicopter hourly maintenance cost is about $250 an hour and up. That would be your budget to take care of inspections and maintenance. Some helicopters have higher maintenance costs, some lower. It will cost about $175 an hour to operate for fuel."

"What would a new Bell Ranger cost?" Dawn asked.

"The larger Ranger will run about $ 900,000 or more with full instrumentation. It's bigger than what we are in and has more power."

"That's not too bad," Dawn said, looking at me.

"Is that what you would buy?" I asked Jeanine.

"That would depend," she said.

"On what?" I asked.

"If I had the money and were buying a helicopter for myself, I would go with the EC 135. It is made by Euro Copter. Stan and I saw one at an air show in Germany back in October. It is new but looks to be a great performing helicopter for the size and price. The one they had on display was a VIP model with all the latest electronics."

"A lot more money?" I asked.

"Loaded with full IFR instrumentation, around $ 2,000,000. It is bigger, faster, quieter, flies higher, and is cheaper to operate in the long run. It is bigger than the Ranger, and it is a twin-engine and can have full controls for two pilots. It is what many air ambulance companies are starting to fly, and some law enforcement. It has been very reliable. With the enclosed Fenestron tail rotor like Linda's, it is a lot quieter."

"Wouldn't that be a little big for what she wants?"

"You can go down to the EC 125, but it is VFR only and single-engine. That limits you to clear weather flying and night flying. A big benefit of the EC 135 is the twin engines. If one fails, it can still fly."

"I like that idea," I said.

"That and you can get it with full IFR instruments and an auto-pilot. I highly recommend getting instrument trained and certified. There have been many helicopter crashes because the pilots got into bad weather like fog or snow, and the helicopter and pilot were only visual rated. It will cost more, but you would be as safe as you can get."

"What do you think?" Dawn asked.

"You really want a helicopter sitting outside all the time?"

"Why not?"

"What is really going on, honey?"

Dawn hesitated a minute.

"I should spend more time at the reservation now... I can't spend over 4 hours driving there and 4 hours driving back all the time."

"Are you sure you could do this?"

"Yes!"

"She could do it easily," Jeanine said. "It just takes time and experience."

"Let's say you do this...Jeanine, what are your recommendations as a professional pilot?" I asked.

"Full instrumentation for bad weather flying, IFR, and night flights. Plus, if you are going to fly, I would insist on you getting instrument certified just in case you get into weather, and it makes flying at night easier. The minimum number of flying hours for the license is 40, but since you know two helicopter pilots, I would want you to have at least 75 hours before I would feel comfortable with you flying a complex helicopter solo cross country. Instrument rating is another 10 hours anyway on top of the 40. The EC 135 is going to take over the air ambulance and LEO helicopters," Jeanine said.

"Could you teach her to fly?"

"I don't have an instructor's license, but after she gets her license, I can teach her more she should know while she accumulates more hours. She will have to have an IFR instructor for that training, but I can teach her more after that."

"What do you think?" Dawn asked with anticipation.

"We'll talk about it. You have something coming up for the next year, remember?"

"I know."

"Well, go see if you really think you want to do it," I told Dawn.

They finished eating, and Dawn ran out the door.

"Jeanine...could she really learn to fly and be trusted flying by herself?"

"Sure. It just takes time to feel confident. She is definitely smart enough."

"Would it be better to get a small plane license first?"

"You can go that route. It would be a waste of time and money if you never plan on flying a small plane."

"Okay. I'll trust you to tell me if she can handle it."

"Oh, she can."

"Then, I'll need your help in buying a helicopter."

"Okay!" Jeanine said and laughed.

She went out the front door.

About 10 minutes later, I heard them taking off.

*****

Later, I was sitting in the den researching on the internet the prices and configurations of the helicopter Jeanine recommended. They were not cheap.

Amy and Samantha came in about 2:45. Dawn had not shown up yet.

"Hey, where is Dawn?" Samantha asked.

"You wouldn't believe me."

"Why?"

"Just wait until she gets home."

Dawn came in about 3:30 and sat next to me on the sofa.

"I want to do it," she said.

"Do what?" Samantha asked.

"Tell them," I said.

"I want to learn to fly a helicopter!"

"Cool!" Came from Samantha.

"Why?" Amy asked.

"I think it would be fun...and I could use it to fly back and forth between the reservation."

"Are you going to buy one like Linda's?" Samantha asked.

"Not hardly!" I said.

"Maybe a smaller one!" Dawn exclaimed.

Amy didn't have any interest, but Dawn and Samantha went on for about 30 minutes, occasionally dragging me into the conversation.

"Hey, if you are going to learn to do it, can I?" Samantha asked.

"I knew it," I said, shaking my head. Dawn laughed.

"James is going to learn too," Dawn said.

That was the conversation until Dawn started cooking dinner, while she was cooking dinner, and while we ate.

Dawn and Samantha went on talking about flying and looking on the internet until it was time for bed.

*****

Tuesday morning, I called Linda

"I have a bone to pick with you," I told Linda.

"Why?"

"When we flew down to Atlanta, Jeanine talked to Dawn and let her fly back upfront. Now Dawn is convinced she wants to learn to fly a helicopter."

"Really!"

"Yes, she and Jeanine went flying yesterday, and she let Dawn fly some. Now Dawn is all hyped over it."

"Good for her! That would be great!"

"I think Dawn is considering it so she can fly back and forth to the reservation."

"Oh, that would be great for her."

"Linda...I don't know about my wife flying a helicopter by herself."

"Why? I'm sure she could do it."

"I am sure she could too. I just worry about the safety."

"Hey, I fly all the time. Sure, it may be a bit riskier than being in a car...maybe not, but I don't worry about it."

"I don't know..."

"James, if she needs to be at the reservation more now, you need to think about it."

"I talked to Jeanine some...now Dawn is thinking we need to buy one."

"Not like mine..."

"No! Jeanine said something around 2 million would be perfect."

"I'm sure Jeanine and Stan can help her learn. You have the money."

"We did just make about $200,000,000 from the housing market crashing."

"You did!"

"Yep. Joseph, the guy you and Rachel fucked, made me a fortune."

"I'll have to talk to him then!" Linda said and laughed.

"She doesn't have an instructor's license, but Jeanine said she would train her after she got her license. I think Dawn feels that if Jeanine can fly one, she can too."

"She would be comfortable working with Jeanine," Linda replied.

"I think that is it. I told her we would talk more about it."

"You two should sit down with Jeanine and Stan and discuss everything, James."

"Linda, even though Dawn wants to do this, it would be something the four of us would need to discuss."

"Sure."

"Dawn has already said the two of us could do it."

"You could."

"You know what happened...Samantha wants to do it too."

"So. She is sure smart enough."

"Well, with what all of you have planned, I think it will be a while before she can take this on. She has school and her job too."

"It could be something she, or you two, could do on weekends."

"Maybe."

"I'll bring Jeanine and Stan over tonight, and you can discuss everything with them. I can hook you up with the people I bought mine through."

"Let Jeanine know. She is in charge of buying one for Dawn."

"Oh, good. Are you planning on keeping it at the house?" Linda asked.

"I guess."

"I am planning on a lighted pad and hanger for mine when I build my new house."

"Good idea."

"Jeanine and Stan can help planning that if that is what you want to do."

"We are not there yet. I am sure when Dawn gets home, this is all I am going to hear about. Thanks, Linda."

"No problem! Anything else I can do!"

"I hope not. Bye."

"Bye."

*****

That evening Stan and Jeanine came for dinner with Linda and Rachel. All they talked about was learning to fly and buying a helicopter. After they all left about 8:45, we were sitting in the den.

"We are looking at about 2.3 million for the helicopter. Probably about $175,000 a year to operate it. This would be a serious splurge for us, something we haven't done before," I said.

"Why did it go up?"

"That is loaded with all the latest instruments for bad weather flying and dual pilot controls and other things Jeanine said would make it safer and the best."

"We usually have that much leftover each year we don't spend. It is a one-time investment."

"It has significant operating cost and annual cost."

"Maybe a few hundred thousand a year," Dawn said.

"You really want to be able to get back and forth to the reservation, don't you, honey?"

"Well, I have responsibilities now, honey."

"I know. We have the money. That is not an issue. Thanks to Joseph, we will have plenty of money. I guess this is something we can splurge on."

"Great!"

"When are you thinking of starting your lessons?"

"Well...I hoped we could both start at the same time."

"I guess we can. What about you, Samantha?"

"As soon as we can!"

"Okay, but you have to keep your studies caught up."

"I will."

"Both of you. What about you, Amy?"

"You all have fun."

"Okay. You and Samantha set it up. Work with Jeanine. See what is available for training in this area."

"Jeanine said there would be ground schools available on weekends. She is going to ask at the airport next time she fuels up," Dawn said.

"Samantha, you already have something on Saturdays. I don't want you giving up on your self-defense training for this," I said.

"Let's see what is available first," Dawn replied. "After ground school, Jeanine said we should train on a Ranger like the one I was flying in, then cross-train on the other one after I got my license. Don't know how long cross-training takes, but she said the hours would be good for us, and there would be our instrument certification also."

"Are you planning on you and Samantha getting the same license?" I asked.

"Yes, and you too."

"Okay. You two work on setting up all the training, and I will work on buying a helicopter."

"Deal!"

*****

I called Jeanine the next morning.

"Hey, Jeanine."

"Hi, Dr. Smith."

"I need your help."

"Sure."

"It looks like Dawn and me, and maybe Samantha, want to get our helicopter license."

"Great!"

"Dawn is looking into local training that is available. Can you help her with that? I want whoever is the best."

"You have to pass ground school first, well, to count your hours you do. That will take you a month or so of Saturdays. You can attend ground school wherever it is convenient."

"Okay. Then what?"

"Once you pass ground school, you get an instructor and start officially learning to fly. I told Dawn that it would be best if you went ahead and learned on the Bell Ranger. It will cost a little more than a smaller one, but you will learn how a larger aircraft feels."

"None of the helicopters you recommended in the area?"

"I'm not sure if there are EC 135's to train on in the area, but it would be twice the cost of training on the Bell. Once you learn to fly the Bell, the extra hours cross-training on the EC 135 will be good to have."

"Jeanine, you know the cost difference is not an issue," I said.

"I think you, all of you, should learn on the Bell Ranger."

"Why?"

"The EC 135 is a little bigger and a lot more power. While you are learning, more power can get you into trouble."

"Okay, the Ranger. Now, how do we handle buying the one you recommended?"

"It's made in Germany, so there will be some lead time. Could be a year. I'll reach out to the people Linda used to buy hers."

"I did some looking on the internet..."

"Let us talk to the manufacturer directly, James."

"Get it loaded then."

"Well, you would have one of the best EC 135's in service. If you ever wanted to sell it, it would be easy. That is also what a lot of law enforcement is going to now and the air ambulance companies. When Stan I were training, we thought we could end up flying an air ambulance.

"What about a custom paint job?" I asked.

"They will have plenty of color options to choose from."

"I'm thinking of something special for Dawn."

"Oh. I don't know. I can find out."

"Do that. See if the contact Linda has from buying hers can help us with that also."

"I'm sure they can. Anything else I can do?"

"Find out if it can be outfitted with an interior like Linda's."

"Okay. What else?"

"How long does the flying instruction take?"

"Depends on the time you have to dedicate to it. A few months or so if you work hard on the weekends."

"Just put it all together for us, Jeanine. Make us a schedule and a plan."

"I will do that."

"Jeanine...why do you not like the new small helicopters?"

"They are just small and...slow..."

"What else?"

"Emmm...I shouldn't mention it."

"What, Jeanine?"

"They don't crash well..."

"What do you mean they don't crash well?"

"Better helicopters are what is called crash-worthy. They are built to hold together as best they can in cases of hard landings."

"What does that mean?"

"It would be the difference between you crashing your sports car and crashing a NASCAR race car. A NASCAR race car is built to withstand a crash. It has roll bars and other structural improvements your car wouldn't have."

"I'm not sure I wanted to know that."

"James, you need to know that. Shit happens. If it does, you want to survive."

"Okay...I guess..."

"I am going to suggest crash-proof fuel tanks also."

"Okay. Get what is best."

"What else can I do?"

"Just work on all this for me and keep as much from Dawn as you can about the delivery time."

"I will."

"Good."

"Dr. Smith...you can always look for a used EC 135, but there won't be many."

"Nope. She'll get a new one."

"Okay. Dawn wants to go flying again."

"See if you can rent an EC 135 then."

"I may see if she wants to fly to the reservation and back one day so she can see what the trip would be like."

"That sounds like a good idea. You could take Samantha and Amy too."

"Okay. Bye, Dr. Smith."

"Keep me updated."

*****

Dawn and I were sitting in the den about 2:30 when Amy came in from school. She sat down hard on the sofa.

"Problem?" Dawn asked.

"I am having trouble finding what I need for a paper?"

"What are you trying to find?"

"I am trying to find some of the early research on heart transplants."

"Why?" Dawn asked.

"We have to write a paper on historical milestones in surgery. All the older research is no longer in the archives, and I don't know where to find it."

"That is pretty far back."

"I know, but it was historical. They said at the library that all the microfilm that old had been purged."

"Can you pick something else?" I asked.

"I could...but I thought that was interesting."

"Would old journals work?" Dawn asked.

"Sure, but they would be 50 years old."

"I may know where some are," Dawn said and picked up her phone and dialed.

"Hey, Jen. It's Dawn. Look in the faculty directory and give me Dr. Jennings' cell number, please. Yes...the new guy down the hall."

Dawn waited.

"Okay...thanks."

Dawn dialed her phone and waited.

"Hey, Jerry, it's Dawn Smith."

"At home right now. When I was in your office the other day, did I see a lot of old Medical Journals? I did!"