Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Dreams of My Feathers

Ever so often, a dream is so vivid I am compelled to write it down. My latest was, are you ready for this, about flying. Having recently reviewed my resume and all the experiences that go with it, apparently my mind has been working hard to put it all together as I sleep.
Take charter and 121 airline ops, airport management, tourism, and marketing experience, plus thousands of hours of general aviation flying, combine them into one position and you have only one option; a consultant for the expansion of aviation in China.
The dream started with Ginger and myself being approached by officials who were looking for someone with a broad background in aviation. Over dinner, we were told of aggressive plans to expand Chinese general aviation in five stages over five years; long term strategy, expansion of ATC and weather reporting infrastructure, airport location scouting and construction, aviation tourism development, and flight training were the stages. Then we were asked, “Are you interested?”
After of week of discussing what it would take for us to accept their offer, we met again with officials to negotiate details.
Our list was simple: we each make $300,000 per year tax free, free health care in any country, two homes (it’s a large country), full expense account, a budget for a world class museum and airshow (tourism development), and a fleet of aircraft for our exclusive use. We would need a CL-215T, C-46, OV-10, one Helio Courier on floats, matching T-38s, and a fully restored P-61. Additionally, a museum would be built at Lee Bottom and given a $500,000 million dollar starter budget for our team to work with while we are gone. With these items agreed to, we would rent out our house immediately and move to China for five years in an effort to expand GA in that country.
Staring at the list for at least a full five minutes, some whispering was exchanged by the ambassadors, and then one question was asked, “If we agreed to this, would you be open to flying the machines in the museum?”

I'm going back to sleep.

3 comments:

Jim said...

Rich, where did the picture of the P-61 come from? I've been in love with that airplane since I was in first grade (1945). Next time I'm at Lee Bottom, I'll try to remember to tell you why.

Rich Davidson said...

Jim,
That P-61 is on diplay rotting away in an outside museum in China. A few years back several people tried to purchase it with no luck and so it continues to sit.
Rich

Jim said...

Well, sassenfratzen ratzenfelter! I've seen the one at Wright-Pat, but hoped another existed somewhere.