It wasn’t exactly crash and burn. It was a longer agony. A growing awareness. Like the gradual brightening of the grey mist before the lights of the airport blaze forth from the fog and haze on a low minimums instrument approach. Yes, it was slow in coming, but I finally faced up to the fact that my career was a wreck.
Just as glass panels replaced steam gauges, and GPS replaced the VOR, writing for a living is obsolete. We live in a time when the internet is awash with words—more words than at any point in history—so they have become a commodity, worth little. For decades I’ve been able to support my family with my pen, but that’s no longer true and, at an age most men contemplate retirement, I find that I have to start all over. Find a new career.
Since August of 2014, I’ve posted a new tale here every Friday; but with new things to learn and new schedules to master, time will be at a premium. I’ll have less time to fly—if the frickin’ airplane ever gets fixed—and even less time to write about it. So is this the end? Am I closing the flight plan on Plane Tales for good?
Nah. I’d miss it too much. For me, the need to write is an addiction I’ll never be able to completely kick. Still, I’m going to need to scale back here at Plane Tales. Rather than continue to post weekly, I’ll post when I have a good story to share, some adventure to amuse with, some triumph to brag on, or something I think you’d want to know about.
But before I run the checklist, and drop the landing gear on this new chapter of Plane Tales, I just wanted to thank all of you for your support all these years. To paraphrase what I heard on an airliner recently: We know you have a choice of blogs. Thank you for flying with Plane Tales!
Best wishes in your next career!
Most enjoyable blog ever – thank you for all your muse! My primary training in the 70’s was in a Cherokee with one radio and no VOR – it amazes even me these days when I recall dead reckoning skills…….. I truly look forward to learning of your future successes.
Wow! Now what will I do? Since the beginning I have been here. First thing I do every Friday morning is read Plane Tales! Guess I shall go through painful withdrawal like all addicts !
Good fortunes with your new adventures. May you be blessed with clear skies and tailwinds.
Cheers,
Arlan Allen
N3989H
P.S. Don’t forget to write!
He’s currently putting that Master Ground Instructor credential and his experience to work, preparing a small army of Commercial Pilots and CFI’s, at one of the “big brand” flight schools. We’re very lucky to have him.
Thanks for all the well written, uplifting, and realistic tales you have shared over the years. I really appreciated them.
Well damn! Just stumbled across your blog today after reading your baffling piece on GAN. I laughed all the way thru it – and learned a little something in the process. Answer me this. Why do they call them sail planes – no sails that I can see?
Wheels up – forever,
Capt. Chewy,
The Millennium Falcon
N8729A – 1949 A35 Bonanza
On the bright side, there’s a number of years of stuff here to read…
I’m so sorry to read your stepping back from the weekly tail of aviation.
It has been such fun following you as you wrote about you time in the air.
You will be missed!
Blue sky’s and tailwinds!