My 911 Story
On 9/11 I was flying between DC and New York and had a controller say this to me “there are fighters in the area and we have scrambled US fighters”. He also told me to land or risk being shot down. Read the full story below.
My 9/11 story. At the time I was chief pilot for a Part 91 flight department flying a Pilatus PC12 and Piper Saratoga. I was also a contributing editor for a magazine called Avionics News. I wrote “pilot reports” for Avionics News. I flew new cockpit systems and/or avionics and wrote about them from a pilot’s perspective. The morning of Sept 11 I took off on an IFR flight plan heading towards New York City. I was to meet with some folks from Honeywell and fly a new terrain awareness system designed for helicopters. The take-off and initial cruise was normal. It was on one of the early handoffs to another sector that the first sign of trouble surfaced. I was told by the controller that there was an incident in New York and they may not take any IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) traffic. I said that was not a problem, I could cancel IFR and just get flight following. As I got closer to New York there was more discussion with the controllers as to whether I could proceed towards New York. By this time there was chatter on the radio about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. My first thought was how could this happen on such a clear day. More and more chatter about maybe a second plane hitting one of the towers. And soon there was talk about one or both of the towers falling. By this time I could hear the airliners trying to find places to divert. But all of this did not make sense to me. I still did not know what was going on. Soon I could see the smoke from the towers. Shortly after seeing smoke I was told by one of the New York controllers to turn around and “get out” of New York’s airspace. So I did. I was able to contact the folks from Honeywell via the radio and told them that I had to turn around. They told me to contact them later and we may reschedule. I decided to head home to Gaithersburg (KGAI) and use flight following with ATC. Some of the controllers seemed kind of surprised that I was flying from New York to DC. One controller asked me “Who are you? Where did you come from?” This controller also asked me if I had been ordered to land. I replied no. He said you are hereby ordered to land or risk being shot down. He added that there are fighters in the area and that we have scrambled US fighters. The way he said this implied that there were enemy aircraft in the area with US fighters. Well this really shook me up. By this time I was still east of the Carroll County Airport. When the controller told me to land asap I asked if I could continue to Gaithersburg. I was told not to go anywhere near DC and was vectored to Carroll County Airport. It was not until I got on the ground that I learned what was happening. I will never forget these words “there are fighters in the area and we have scrambled US fighters” – they were the controller’s exact words to me.
UPS Cargo Plane Down
A UPS cargo plane crashed while on approach to Birmingham, AL this morning. Click here for full story.
1973 Dodge Challenger Appraisal
On August 11, 2013 I personally visually inspected and evaluated the vehicle described below for the purpose of providing an estimation of the vehicle’s cash/fair market value today as well as its value after the recent accident (after repairs have been made). I inspected the vehicle’s exterior, interior, chassis, and engine compartment. A mechanical evaluation was conducted where possible/necessary. The evaluation is based upon authenticity, preservation/ restoration, maintenance and/or replacement costs.
Vehicle Make & Year: 1973 Dodge Challenger 340
Overall the vehicle is in good condition (Condition 4). It shows normal wear for a vehicle of its age and for one that is driven. The damage was to the right quarter panel, rear wheel, and trim ring. The right door is also out of alignment door to the collision.
After careful evaluation of this vehicle, based on my expertise and experience (and after consulting numerous websites/online databases, reviewing comparables, and after consulting with other professional appraisers, museums, and automotive experts, etc., when necessary, I appraise (estimate) this vehicle as having a cash value of $13,612.00 prior to the accident and a cash value of $10,209 after the accident and repairs have been completed.
Click here for full appraisal report.
All of our online research was entered into the Flymall Market Watch for future reference. Click here to view our data on the Dodge Challenger Rallye Hardtop Coupe.
48 Cylinder Motorcycle
I saw this bike on a Facebook page. It says it is a 48 cylinder motorcycle.
Ace Cycle Car and Morgan Three Wheeler
What do the new Morgan Three Wheeler, ACE Cycle Car or Ace Cycle Car (Liberty Ace), Blackjack Zero and the Triking have in common? Click here to find out.
Just A Dog
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand phases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.”
So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
The New Morgan – How It Got Started
The new Morgan Three Wheeler is not really new, well sort of. The 2012 Morgan Three Wheeler’s roots are from the United States. Click here for full story. It was after Pete started making the ACE Cycle Car that Morgan decided to re-introduce their three wheeler and a lot of Pete’s research and/or ideas are incorporated into the new three wheeler by Morgan.
Here is another story on the ACE Cycle Car.
Motorcycle Graveyard Discovered
In April 2010 pictures popped up on someone’s flickr account showing a bunch of motorcycles abandoned in a warehouse. Internet rumors and guesses as to where the building was located flooded the motorcycle blogs. At some point the location was discovered or someone told. The topic showed up on a local sport bike forum I read and I was hooked. My friends and I talked about riding to New York and looking for the building, getting in somehow and taking pictures. Click here for full story.
Grumman Widgeon down in Hudson River
On Thursday May 2 2013 a Grumman Widgeon crashed in the Hudson River. Click here for the full story.
Plane Lands on Highway May 2 2013
Authorities are investigating after a small plane landed on a Long Island highway Thursday afternoon, Suffolk police said.
The plane landed on Route 231 near John Street, close to the border of Babylon and West Islip.
No injuries were reported.
Southbound lanes of the highway were closed to assist in the investigation.
