good@pixar (Craig Good: Pixar Cineaste Division) (02/04/86)
(Apologies if this is a repeat. I'm quite sure my first attempt was spooled to /dev/null) Now that I'm allowed to post to the net, I'll chip in my $0.02. I've really enjoyed reading the other short bios here on net.aviation. My name is Craig Good, I've been flying for real since October of 1984 and I've logged just over 140 hours so far. Within another ten-ish hours I plan to take my IFR check ride. The written comes up next weekend (Aviation Seminars Weekend Headbuster -- I'll let you know how it goes if you care). My training was all in a wonderful and friendly Piper Warrior operating out of a little field called Smith Ranch. Always beware of an airport with the word "Ranch" in its name. Memorable flights include the primary training flight to South Lake Tahoe where I learned about "moderate" turbulence. I've also experienced the rush that comes from flying around blind inside a cloud for several minutes and then seeing those big, beautiful approach lights appear *right where they belong*! I mean, they were in front of the plane and everything! Also, I recently logged 9 hours in 3 days just taking co-workers up to watch the migration of the Grey Whales off Pt. Reyes. (That's just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and almost due West from my airport for you Easterners.) I never let the plane get to where I couldn't *easily* glide back to the beach, but we were able to get down to around 1500 feet and look right down through the water at them. Talk about the ultimate bathtub toy! When a whale decides to make a splash he moves an industrial quantity of sea water. Scariest flight? The last minute of one flight where I made the classic mistake of taking out the crosswind correction after touching the runway. My passengers thought that the excursion onto the grass was a normal part of the airport tour until I told them differently. I scared myself real good on that one. I make lots of other mistakes now, but by golly I'm on the center line! Dare I mention that I'm the "Mr. X" who wrote the first version of that nav program? It has been so lovingly improved by talented people that perhaps I shouldn't have said anything. Anyway, now you know why Smith Ranch, a private airport, was in the database. --Craig