Life after the Lottery Ch. 78

"We need to get going," Stan said to Jeanine.

"We are ready," Jeanine replied.

"Strap in, everybody."

"Dawn, get us out of here," Jeanine told her.

Dawn started the helicopter, and we sat for a few minutes as they watched gauges.

"BNA control. November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo," Dawn radioed and waited.

"November-Two-Three-Six...BNA Control."

"BNA...November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo ready to depart pad South...Old Country Road."

"Roger...Two-Three-Six."

"Two-Three-Six departing to zero-one-thousand heading one-eight-zero. Then heading two-seven-zero to clear BNA airspace. Final heading three-five-zero to zero-four-thousand to Kilo-Tango-Yankee-Quebec Indianapolis," Dawn called.

"Roger Two-Three-Six. Maintain zero-one thousand until clear of BNA airspace."

"Roger BNA control. Two-Three-Six departing. Will ID at zero-one thousand."

"Roger Two-Three-Six."

"Rotate!" Jeanine said to Dawn.

Jeanine had already taught Dawn everything about flying Linda's helicopter. She just watched her now as she accumulated hours.

The rotor sped up, and we began lifting off. Dawn applied more power, and we rose slowly and eased back from the house until she turned us around and headed south as we climbed quickly for a minute. We had to stay at 1,000 feet or lower until we got some distance away. The house was on the west side of the southern approach path to the airport.

"BNA Control. Two-Three-Six for ID."

"We see you Two-Three-Six."

We made a big westward arc around town and the controlled airspace for 10 minutes as we began heading north.

"BNA control. November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie," Dawn radioed.

"Two-Three-Six-Charlie."

"November-Two-Three-Six departing BNA controlled airspace. Heading three-five-zero to altitude zero-four thousand at one-five-zero knots...ID now," Dawn said.

"Roger Two-Three-Six. We see you. Contact S-D-F on One-Eight-Seven-Nine-Five."

"Roger BNA. Two-Three-Six."

I felt the helicopter begin to climb and tilt forward as it sped up.

"Stan, I forgot, how fast is 150 knots?" I asked.

"About 170 miles per hour. Cruising speed for this one."

"Dang!" Came from Amy.

We flew fast for an hour. Then I heard Dawn contacting Louisville air control. We received clearance to move through their airspace and were soon on the way to Indianapolis.

I took some more photos of everyone as Amy looked out the windows.

Just before 10:00, we heard Dawn getting clearance to fly into the small executive airport outside Indianapolis. We began descending slowly.

"You want to land us?" Jeanine asked Dawn.

"No problem."

We flew a bit more, then slowed down. Dawn received clearance and proceeded to the airport approach. This airport made helicopters taxi down the runway before landing. Dawn did a perfect job and sat us down and taxied on the landing gears.

"Good job, Dawn! A few more hours and landings, and you'll be certified on the EC-155," Jeanine told her.

Jeanine had been encouraging Dawn and Samantha to fly Linda's helicopter because she said all the instrumentation was similar to the EC-135.

Dawn shut everything down, and we all got out to stretch for a bit. Stan told them to top off the tanks.

"I think you are getting the hang of it," I told Dawn as we walked to the terminal.

"This helicopter has a lot of power. Jeanine said we would be surprised at how much power the 135 has."

We were going to take a break for an hour. After we all had a bathroom break and grabbed some sodas, Dawn went out to help Jeanine supervise the fueling. Jeanine came in while Dawn stayed, and she headed to the bathrooms. When she came out, she grabbed a soda.

"I'm next," Samantha told her.

"Do you think you are ready to handle the take-off I taught you?" Jeanine asked Samantha.

"You bet I can do that one!"

"Okay. Once they finish fueling, you can go through the pre-flight with me."

That made Samantha happy.

Later Stan came in with the fuel ticket and paid. A bit later, we were ready to leave.

"Let's go," Jeanine said.

Samantha ran out to the helicopter. The rest of us got in a few minutes later, and Stan closed the doors.

"Here. Dawn, you sit up front in the big chair," Amy said.

"I'm fine," she said and sat next to me.

I gave Amy my camera, and she took some shots of Samantha getting ready. Jeanine took her time watching Samantha go through the pre-flight.

"Fire it up!" Jeanine said.

The engines started, and we sat for a minute.

"Sam, what is our flight plan from here?" Jeanine asked.

"We will head 3-1-5 west until we get to Iowa, so we don't have to go through Chicago airspace. Then back to Oshkosh at 0-1-5. Why can't we go through Chicago?"

"I just prefer not to. It is busy airspace, and we either have to go over at 10,000, or through it low. I don't want us needing to watch for the big jets. We will still have to watch for them. It is only about a 30-minute detour."

"Okay."

"Always try and avoid as much air traffic as you can plan for. I'll keep an eye on the Traffic Avoidance Instruments."

Samantha flipped switches and started the helicopter. We sat for a few minutes as Jeanine had Samantha check all the gauges.

"Sam, we have to taxi here. Can you handle that?"

"You bet!"

"Get clearance."

Samantha talked to the tower for a minute. Soon, we were cleared. We rolled slowly out to the runway and turned to take off. We got clearance, and Samantha applied power and lifted us off the ground, and hovered about 20 feet up as she moved down the runway and raised the landing gears.

"Let's see what you have learned," Jeanine said. "Get us out of here and head north and take us to zero-four thousand."

"You got it!"

Samantha applied full power, and the nose pitched down as we climbed rapidly after we cleared the runway. She kept applying power, and we climbed fast, heading north.

"Take us up! Your aircraft, Sam!" Jeanine laughed.

Jeanine talked her through picking up more speed as we moved, but I think Samantha had that part down. I heard the two of them laughing about Samantha taking off so fast.

Our ears were popping as she maxed out the climb rate. Dawn was laughing.

We climbed for a few minutes as we gained speed. Soon we were at 4,000 feet. Samantha cleared us out of the air space.

"It is about two and a half hours to Oshkosh airspace as we circle around to the west. Once we are in the area, everyone keep an eye out for small planes," Jeanine told us. "Sam, did you check the weather before we left?"

"Uh...I thought you did?"

"You're flying!"

"Opps..."

"Sam! What do you see off in the distance?" Jeanine asked.

"Some clouds."

"How far?"

"Oh...Thirty miles?"

"Very good. We may run into some low-level rain. Keep an eye out."

"Wish we had a weather radar."

"One day we will. They just have to make it smaller. Some of the big helos I flew had it."

"Cool!"

We flew for about ten minutes. Jeanine radioed to get information on the weather.

"Okay, Sam. The weather report says the ceiling is 1,000 feet. Cloud tops have been reported at 6,000. What are your choices?" Jeanine asked as we listened.

"1,000 is too low to fly this distance. We can climb to 7,000."

"Correct. You are only VFR-rated, so your choices are over, under, or around. It is too low to fly that far unless you were forced to do that. We could go around, but we may as well go over. Get us clearance."

"Can we practice going through it?"

"Nope. Never fly IFR if you don't have to do it."

"Indy Center...November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo," Samantha called.

"Two-Three-Six...Indy Center."

"Indy Center...Two-Three-Six-helo requesting clearance to zero-seven thousand to clear cloud cover."

"Roger Two-Three-Six. Last report was cloud tops at zero-seven thousand. Do you want clearance to zero-eight?"

"Roger Indy Center. Clearance to zero-eight thousand."

"Roger Two-Three-Six, you are cleared to zero-eight thousand on heading three-one-five-zero. Roger?"

"Roger Indy Center. Leaving zero-four-thousand."

"Take us up," Jeanine said.

We began climbing.

"When requesting clearance to a new altitude, always verify your heading at the end. They may think you are changing. That was why they verified your heading, Sam. Don't leave them guessing. TMI is never a problem."

"Got it."

We kept climbing. After a few minutes, we were at 8,000 feet and starting to fly over the clouds. We flew for about an hour and passed the rain.

"Should we go back down to 4,000?" Samantha asked.

"You need to check. Who do you need to ask?"

"O'Hare or Bloomington?"

"Yes. Call Bloomington, BMI, first and give your position and ask for altitude clearance."

"What frequency are they on?"

"That is why you write all that on your knee pad, Sam. 124.600."

She changed the radio frequency.

"B-M-I...November-Two-Three Six-helo."

"Two-three-six-helo...B-M-I"

"B-M-I...we are on heading three-one-five approaching your control. Requesting altitude clearance. We are circling around O-R-D en-route to Oshkosh."

"Two-Three-Six-helo...ID"

Two-Three-Six for ID."

"Two-Three-Six-helo there is a lot of small stuff in the air today. Move to zero-three-zero. That will keep you above the small stuff and below the big boys. Are you TCA equipped?"

"Roger. TCA equipped."

"Good. Keep an eye out."

"Roger B-M-I. Two-Three-Six descending to zero-three-zero on three-one-five. One-four-zero-knots."

"Roger Two-Three-Six. Begin descent. You have large traffic at zero-nine-zero crossing at two-zero-zero."

"Roger. Descending B-M-I."

Sam nosed us down, and we descended for a minute.

"That is what happens in busy airspace," Jeanine told her. "We'll stay here. I think we will land at Cedar Rapids and top off the tanks. We will be pushing max range if we fly all the way to Oshkosh. This I good practice for you."

We flew for about an hour and enjoyed watching the world go by. Jeanine had Sam call Cedar Rapids so we could land and refuel. That only took about 30 minutes, and we were back in the air heading to Oshkosh.

"In about 30 minutes, we will be in O-S-H airspace everyone. Keep your eyes open for small aircraft," Stan told us.

We flew about 30 more minutes.

"O-S-H...November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo," Samantha called.

"Helo-November-Two-Three-Six...Oshkosh control.

"O-S-H entering your airspace en-route to the airshow. Approaching on zero-four-zero at zero-three-zero thousand."

"Helo-November-Two-Three-Six...ID please."

"Two-Three-Six for ID."

"Helo-November-Two-Three-Six...we see you. You are a big boy!

"Roger O-S-H. Requesting approach altitude."

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo...can you move to zero-six-zero. That will get you out of the small stuff."

"Roger...O-S-H. Moving to zero-six-zero on zero-four-five. One-three-zero knots," Samantha replied.

"Roger November-TwoThree-Six-Helo. We will advise once you are closer."

"Roger O-S-H."

Samantha began the climb. Once we were there, she slowed us down a little.

"Very good, Sam. Just keep an eye out and wait on them," Jeanine told her.

We flew and listened to all the radio traffic. They were busy.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo..O-S-H control."

"Two-three-six-helo," Samantha replied.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. What is your scheduled time slot?"

"14:00 O-S-H."

"Roger November-Two-Three-Six-helo. We are running about two-zero minutes behind. Are you good to move to zero-five-thousand and maintain holding pattern until then? That will keep you out of the small stuff."

"Roger O-S-H. We have the fuel. Moving to zero-five-thousand and will enter holding pattern in five minutes. November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo over."

"Thanks, November-Two-Three-Six-helo. We have a lot of small aircraft in the holding pattern ahead of you that we need to land. Watch for larger aircraft at your current altitude. We will bring you in when we get a break. ID for verification.""

"Two-Three-Six for ID."

"We see you. Thanks for the help."

"Roger O-S-H. Notify when we need to change altitude."

"Thanks, November-Two-Thee-Six-helo. Please keep your eyes open."

"This is why we refueled," Jeanine said. "Okay, everyone. It will still be crowded up here. Keep an eye out. Sam, you get to learn the Collision Avoidance Instruments. Just remember, it only picks up aircraft with a transponder. There will be a lot of small aircraft without one."

As we neared Oshkosh airport, Samantha acknowledged entering the holding pattern. Jeanine walked her through getting into it as we flew in a big circle slowly around the airport several miles out. Jeanine had been correct. We could see small planes below us everywhere in the sky as we circled. She was letting Samantha keep flying while she kept a watchful eye out. She was showing the Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System to Samantha. She pointed out a couple of bigger planes to Samantha, and she made some changes each time.

"Sam, you are doing very well. Good job getting us into the holding pattern."

We circled for about 15 minutes.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo...Oshkosh control."

"November-Two-Three-Six-helo," Samantha responded.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo, descend to zero-one-thousand in the pattern. I may have an opening for you in five if you can come in fast."

"Roger O-S-H. No problem. November-Two-Three-Six-helo descending to zero-one-thousand.

"Roger November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. The faster the better. Watch for traffic below you at zero-one-thousand your heading."

"Roger Oshkosh. Two-Three-Six-helo descending."

"Okay, Sam. Let's see if you learned how to descend rapidly.

"No problem!"

We didn't descend...she pointed the nose down, and we dropped like a rock.

"Whoa!" Came from Dawn, and she laughed. Amy looked terrified.

We leveled out a minute later.

"Very good, Sam! Everyone keep your eyes open."

"Why is control being so repetitive?" Samantha asked.

"There are a lot weekend pilots here. They want to make sure everyone doesn't mistake a call sign. It never hurts. However they acknowledge you, you repeat that."

"Got it."

Jeanine kept pointing out very small aircraft all around us. She had Samantha make one change. One plane had passed us rather close because we had slowed.

"It is getting busy up here," Jeanine said. "Too busy. I am going to see if they will clear us for something. I'll wait for a break."

Jeanine waited a minute as they cleared other aircraft on the radio.

"O-S-H...November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo," Jeanine said.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo...go."

"O-S-H control. Things are getting busy up here. We have already had to divert several times due to small aircraft with no ID, and we just had one pass us close."

"Roger November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. It is a busy day."

"Roger. Requesting clearance to N-O-E altitude for safety since others are at 7-0-0 or higher."

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie...are you certified N-O-E?"

"Roger O-S-H. Ex-military."

"Roger November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. You are cleared to N-O-E until contacted for final approach. Watch as you descend for aircraft at your 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock at zero-zero-five. They are several experimentals."

"Thank you, O-S-H. We see them. November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo descending to N-O-E."

"You better let me have it," Jeanine said to Samantha.

Jeanine took over, and we dropped quickly until we were just above the treetops as we circled two miles out.

"N-O-E?" I asked Stan.

"Nap Of the Earth. Treetop high. Military flies low and fast!"

It was a bit of excitement as we flew low and fast for a while. We were probably only 50 feet above the trees. Jeanine was letting Samantha fly it after a few minutes."

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo...Oshkosh Control."

"O-S-H...November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo," Samantha replied.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. ID please."

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo for ID," Samantha added.

"November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. You are approaching outer marker. Can you get to the runway quickly? I can get you out of traffic."

"No problem O-S-H. Thank you."

"Turn just short of the outer marker and come in off the East side of the runway about 100 yards. That will get you out of some traffic on approach. Hover at the first large hangar. Your spot is out front. Number eight."

"Roger O-S-H. November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo turning to one-two-zero at one-zero-zero," Samantha replied.

"Roger November-Two-Three-Six-Charlie-helo. Cleared for final approach."

"Sam, remember what I taught you?" Jeanine asked.

"You bet!"

"Take us up to one-zero-zero and make the turn!"

"Got it!"

"Hang on!" Jeanine yelled.

We rose quickly for a few seconds, then Samantha made a hard turn, laying us nearly on the side.

"Shit!" Came from Amy as she grabbed the seat.

"Line up off the left side of the runway! About 100 yards away!" Jeanine exclaimed. "Aircraft landing next to us on your right!"

"I see it!"

We pitched down and accelerated.

"Keep an eye out, Sam!"

"Got it!"

"Yellow slow mover landing at our 1 o'clock! Give him some room!" Jeanine exclaimed and pointed.

"I see him! What is that?"

"Piper Cub. Slow us down just before the hangar. Take us to the hangar at about 30 feet around the other aircraft on the ground."

"No problem!"

We began passing next to the runway at a high rate of speed. I felt us flare hard and slow, and we were moving to the hangar. The landing gears dropped. Samantha flew us over the hangar and sat us down as Jeanine pointed.

"Nice job, Sam! You'll be certified on the 155 soon!"

We could hear Samantha giggling.

They went through shutting down for a minute. I looked around, and there were helicopters and airplanes parked everywhere. There were a lot of really small planes Stan said were called experimentals. There were also a lot of big planes and military aircraft. We had parked with some other large helicopters.

Once everything was shut down, we got out. Dawn and Samantha were talking 100 miles an hour about her landing.

"Hey, you two," Stan said to them. "You can help us."

After we unloaded our bags, Stan pulled out a cover for the helicopter, and we all helped cover up the fuselage.

"Do you always cover it?" Dawn asked.

"No, but with all the aircraft landing, I don't want the new windshield pitted by gravel," Stan replied. "It's a bitch to buff out."

It took about ten minutes to put the cover on the helicopter.

"We better go check in, then figure out how to get us and our luggage out of here," Jeanine said.

We turned to walk into the hangar and saw a young guy walking toward us.

"November-Two-Three-Six?" He asked.

"That's us," Stan said.

"Follow me, please."

We followed him into the building to what appeared to be a VIP area.

"Nice move to the runway," a guy in a flight suit checking in next us said to Jeanine.

Jeanine pointed at Samantha.

"You're kidding!" He exclaimed, and Samantha giggled.

While Stan checked in, the guy talked to Samantha.

"There is a shuttle waiting for you," the young man said.

"We need to get our luggage," Jeanine told him.

"There is a cart waiting outside. Eurocopter has made arrangements for your transportation to the Marriott."

We went back outside, and he motioned for a golf cart pulling a small trailer to follow us back to the helicopter. We loaded all our luggage on the cart, and it pulled away and went around the building. We walked back and went through the building and saw a long limo waiting as a guy loaded our bags.

"This was nice of them," Jeanine said.

"What about our rental car?" Dawn asked.

,

"It is waiting at the Marriott for you," the young guy replied.