FLYING WITH FRANK

[Mickeymax]

I was recently housesitting south a Cairns for my brother and his wife when I first met Frank Arri.

 

I'd seen Frank overhead quite a few times so drove into his cane farm and introduced myself.

 

I'd just received my certificate in a Foxbat in Gympie and was disappointed I had to wait a month or so to get back to Gympie to fly again.

 

So anyway, Frank takes me down to his shed to see the Drifter and gets it out of the shed for us both to admire.

 

Frank in only a pair of shorts, no shirt and no shoes, suggests we fly.

 

It struck me as amusing, like a kid saying " Wanna have a ride on my bike" .

 

Being a bit reserved myself I was tickled pink to think without any formalities of getting to know each first he'd offer me a ride in his Drifter. From then on we flew quite a few times and became good friends, Frank suggesting that I wear shoes when we flew in case we had to walk back.

 

Frank has 35 years flying ultralights and has a wealth of knowledge, to coin a worn out cliché, and told me fascinating tales of early ultralight years and building his own U/L in a short time during the "crush" when he was busy cutting cane. He talked of engine failures and landing in the cane, to tales of other pilots he's known coming to grief on his property in their own aircraft. Quite fascinating stuff and I learned a lot from Frank about how to stay alive.

 

Frank knows how to fly that's for sure and put me through some quite you might say "hair raising seat of your pants landings" amongst other daring manoeuvers but still flies safely as far as I'm concerned and constantly instilled safety upon me. For me as a novice pilot he sort of took "boring" out of it.

 

Frank didn't stop short with just flying, and knowing I was housesitting and by myself, invited me to his 70th birthday, and he and his grandson took me to the Reef oystering and snorkelling in his boat and showed me beautiful hidden waterholes behind Deeral.

 

Frank flies, plays the electric guitar well, skin dives and fishes.

 

Frank's one of those people you'd call "a real character" and a great guy to know.

 

Frank and his wife made me feel most welcome and I had fun.

 

I had to do a refresher flight in the Foxbat with my instructor when I got back as I hadn't flown for a while and wanted to hire the aircraft. I was tempted to do a few of Frank's manoeuvers but thought better of it ( I know Frank would say "especially if they can see you")

 

 

[farri]

I was recently housesitting south a Cairns for my brother and his wife when I first met Frank Arri.

Hey! Steve! I got a real pleasant surprise and a good laugh when I read your post! Fran and I are both pleased you enjoyed your time here with us and we hope to see you again! The Drifter`s here to fly if you come back with your qualifications.

 

The flying? Well?... That was pretty normal for me! just me being me.

 

Have you got over that feed of Oysters?...Guy`s! I`ve never seen anyone eat as many live Oysters off the rocks, as Steve.

 

We had a fairly bad thunderstorm here this morning, it`s now cleared up beautifully though! I`m finished repairing the ride-on mower, there`s still plenty of fuel in the Drifter so I`m now going to do some Drifter-ing!

 

Frank.

 

 

[farri]

Frank knows how to fly that's for sure and put me through some quite you might say "hair-raising seat of your pants landings" amongst other daring manoeuvers but still flies safely as far as I'm concerned and constantly instilled safety upon me. For me as a novice pilot he sort of took "boring" out of it.

After some consideration, I thought this statement of Steve`s worthy of some comment and possibly some discussion on my points.

 

Boring!..."Boring" is the last thing I want out of my flying or for those who want to fly with me! The ultralight (rag and tube) movement was started primarily as a fun, affordable way to fly for those who didn`t want to or couldn`t afford to do it any other way, me being one of them.

 

Fun!... The fun bit comes in when the pilot knows how to make the flight fun and ends it with a smile on their face and if carrying a passenger the passenger is smiling too.

 

Safety!...To me, safety is "No Accident!", not how you achieve it!...I might make it look to others that I`m taking it casually but in fact, I take it very seriously and everything I do is calculated in advance! when I`m flying, I`m always well ahead of the aircraft.

 

Daring Maneoveres!...I don`t consider any of the maneuvers I do, "Daring", I consider the ability to perform them absolutely necessary for my safety.

 

How to fly!... I`ve learnt what works best for me and my situation and at this stage, i`ve no intention of doing it any other way!

 

Frank.

 

 

[Mickeymax]

After some consideration, I thought this statement of Steve`s worthy of some comment and possibly some discussion on my points.Boring!..."Boring" is the last thing I want out of my flying or for those who want to fly with me! The ultralight (rag and tube) movement was started primarily as a fun, affordable way to fly for those who didn`t want to or couldn`t afford to do it any other way, me being one of them.

 

Fun!... The fun bit comes in when the pilot knows how to make the flight fun and ends it with a smile on their face and if carrying a passenger the passenger is smiling too.

 

Safety!...To me, safety is "No Accident!", not how you achieve it!...I might make it look to others that I`m taking it casually but in fact, I take it very seriously and everything I do is calculated in advance! when I`m flying, I`m always well ahead of the aircraft.

 

Daring Maneoveres!...I don`t consider any of the maneuvers I do, "Daring", I consider the ability to perform them absolutely necessary for my safety.

 

How to fly!... I`ve learnt what works best for me and my situation and at this stage, i`ve no intention of doing it any other way!

 

Frank.

Hi Frank

Got a bit worried there when you didn't reply for a while. Thought a may have offended you somehow.

 

Went for a fly in the Bat today. Flew over my daughter's place. My first time on my own out of the training area and had a few nerves but found my way around and got back to the field ok and made myself happy with a great landing. Ending the flight with a rough landing always disappoints me.

 

If I answer your post in this box does everyone see it?

 

Take care Frank and happy landings

 

 

[farri]

Hi Frank Got a bit worried there when you didn't reply for a while. Thought a may have offended you somehow.

Hey Steve! You offend me??? Never! You`re the only one on here who says nice things about me...

 

If I answer your post in this box does everyone see it?

Nah! Not everyone! only the members who view it.

 

Frank,

 

Ps, Great to know that you`re doing well, keep it up!

 

Pps, Bit hot up here so I went flying in just a pair of shorts again, this afternoon!

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

This is one of those threads that reminds us why we are into aviation. Well done, gents!