[net.aviation] Fly or Drive

wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (01/16/85)

O.K, since you asked, here's my two cents on the "Drive or Fly" issue:

Personally, I'd rather take eight hours total to get somewhere by plane
than spend seven hours driving.  That seven hours of driving is spent
keeping the right fender from the guard rail, and the left mirror from
the wheels of a semi.  Flying, one can poke an eye at the VOR
occasionally, look at the map every few minutes, and get there without
excessive tension (I am refering to VFR, of course).  Back in
wide open, flat, North Dakota in the days of the 75 MPH speed limit,
block time flying a Champ was definitely more than driving, but
infinitely more relaxing.  You could fly IFR (I Follow Roads) and take
it easy.  

Arriving at an unfamiliar destination in a car is a real pain... trying to
read road signs, stay in the proper lanes, and finding a way back when
you miss the turnoff.  Flying to an unfamiliar destination is an 
Adventure!  Comparing features to the map, looking at an unfamiliar skyline,
spotting the airport, entering the pattern... and if you get confused, you can
instantly do a 180 or just fly in circles until you get if figured out.  I'll
take flying anyday... unless, of course, the weather's bad, or I'll need a
car at the destination, or there's a TCA, or.... :-)

A realistic Romantic,

Ron Wanttaja (ssc-vax!wanttaja)

"Archbury control, this is Ramrod Leader..."