The Glory of Flying Solo (or not)

Ah, the glory! To us pilots it something that we feel entitled to. And to those of us who are so intrepid that we venture into this unknown territory alone - the glory is magnified. Ah, the solo adventurer, the single mindedness, the solitude we feel and the wisdom we must have. Ah, and we deserve it so.

Until we crash land.

Then we call for ground support. Then the mechanics and the administration and the fuel fillers and the cleaners and caterers and the the guys who polish the windscreen and the army of support arrives. And they jack up the plane and bend it and fix it and refuel it (and me) and wave goodbye as I set off on another solo quest - perhaps not so focused on the glory this time.

I am on a solo quest right now - out of the country. To some this would seem exotic and exciting, but without my ground crew looking after the boy, I wouldn't be here. And the ground crew are not just those with whom I am in contact twice daily - they are the whole support structure and network surrounding these individuals - the good friends, the neighbours, the people on the other end of an email if I need them.

So this blog says to the ground crew and their support - thanks to you all. This Dad would not be flying solo without you!