Tell your story! Everyone has a story to tell so tell yours!! It's free and enjoyable!

[@joefin5900]

Great idea to invite others to share stories, Ron, so I'll share. In 1988, I was invited by the developers of the World Financial Center in Battery Park, to go from Boston to oversee the cladding of those NYC towers. I shared an office trailer with Dave, a New Yorker. When the '86 World Series came around we made a bet and whoever lost would be provided with a pennant to fly above his desk for a year. He provided the Met's pennant as Boston lost. He was transferred to London and was coming home in 1988 on Clipper Maid Of The Seas when it was brought down over Lockerbee. John Ogonowski, Captain of AA Flight 11 was a high school classmate of mine at Keith Academy in Lowell, Massachusetts. His plane was flown into the north tower. Since 1958, aviation has delivered myself and millions safely to our destinations, and for that I am thankful.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

I live to talk to veterans especially airforce from every generation. I could sit and listen for hrs. I especially like yours as i wish i could’ve flown in the military. Best i got a PPl now permanently grounded from a mini stroke but man id give anything to fly a t37 or a t38 Keep those stories coming. 👍👍🙂

[@richardgreen7811]

After getting my private ticket in 1973 in El Paso, I had been flying in my business for a year. During that time I had achieved many rewarding things that gave me growing confidence. I had landed at the commercial mothball storage area in Roswell, NM (lots of DC10's & 747's) / flown by El Capitan (highest point in Texas @ 8,750' / attended several pilot participation air shows (paper-bag bombs on an oil drum), etc. So many times I had flown into El Paso from New Mexico on a route that took me over the Kilbourne Hole ... a volcanic crater 29 miles NW of El Paso (300+ feet deep, 2 miles long N to S, and 1.5 miles wide E to W). Over time, curiosity got the best of me. One day while changing into my "worlds greatest Cessna 150 pilot costume", I decided to make my move. I flew out to the crater, circled it about 300' above the lip, and made my plan. On the North end, the crater wall is almost vertical while the South wall is more like a ramp that slowly ascends from the billiard table flat bottom. I was always curious what was down there. I flew to a position one mile directly North of the crater. While keeping the throttle well open, I descended to around 50' above the ground until directly above the North lip. Nothing fancy, I nosed the plane over at a steep angle toward the bottom of the crater. At around 50' above the floor, I saw a fenced area of maybe 5 grassy acres with a windmill and a water tank (Texas for pond) and a bunch of cows looking up to watch this fool. With plenty of air speed, I followed the contour of the Southern ramp up to the opposite lip of the crater then continued climbing to a cruising altitude back to El Paso. So what did I learn ? It's OK to be adventurous ... It's fun to try something new for the 1st time ... BUT ... You better have a plan (simple plan) and stick to it. There's no real take-away, just a feeling of accomplishment and the ongoing glorious feeling of freedom that flying brings.

[@ronrogers]

I always wondered about doing something like that! There was a Borax open pit one near Edwards, and I though it would be fun to dip down in it, but the T-38 was much too fast and not maneuverable enough!

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers 100% ... Not that I would know about a T38, but one day my friend (who had a Cessna T210) and I flew out to repeat the adventure but chickened out because we were covering the ground to fast. Knowing we were not the brightest crayons in the box, it just didn't feel right.

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers I know that pit. My Son's and I traversed the area (Dove Springs Recreation Area, 20 miles East of Mojave for many years on dirt bikes and Side-By's). Today immediately next to the Salt Flats, both Honda and Hyundai have constructed their "proving grounds". Honda's, in addition to the car / truck test track has a lake to test Jet Skis and an airport in the center to test the Honda Jet. We also attended the 1997 50th Anniversary of the Sound Barrier Event at Edwards and watched Chuck and Bob takeoff in an F15B, then overfly the airport and broke Mach 1. Some fun that was. Present and flyby's were the Stealth Fighter, Stealth Bomber, B1, and the RS71 (can't resist poking the bear). Don't know if you've been there, but we still frequent Willow Springs Raceway with my 1965 427 AC Cobra MKIII. Instead of turning right to go to Edwards @ Rosamond, it's left about 2 miles.

[@ronrogers]

When I was there, the Willow springs racetrack did not exist. Have not been there. I wonder how many know the story of the naming of the RS-71? Apparently you do!

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers It was told to me by a staff member at the Role-Out Ceremony. They had already began distributing the event literature to the press and other dignitaries, then with "his statement / mis-statement" they had to retrieve it all and go into the "hands forming a barking dog on the screen gag". Aside from him being one of the meanest, most vindictive (only my opinion) politicians in America, we could then add "dumb" to the list. Not my favorite guy.

[@richardgreen7811]

One of my favorite channels. SOOOooo ... My 1st executive assignment at General Motors in 1972 was District Manager for all the geography of West Texas (Big Spring to El Paso) and everything South of Albuquerque in New Mexico. In 1973 I received my Private Ticket from the famous Flight Examiner, Mr. Larry Bartlett. It didn't take me long to figure out that flying my Cessna 150 (instead of driving) increased my efficiency by 2X. Cutting to the chase ... one day my intentions were to fly to Roswell, NM with stops in Alamogordo and Ruidoso, NM. My obligatory route from El Paso was the mandatory VFR Corridor using Highway 54 (one mile wide corridor directly over the highway). The Corridor was necessary because to the West is a highly restricted MOA for Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range, and to the East is the restricted area for the Dona Anna Tank and Artillery Range. After take-off, I climbed (slowly) to 7,500' MSL (desert floor was @ 4,000') and positioned my plane over the highway. Fat, dumb, and happy I was cruis'n, then, a new "sound" began to emerge ... low at first then grew louder. I began scanning my ever tightening butt off however no evidence of a problem. The sound became dramatic to a frightening level. Suddenly a pair of F4's appeared (safe distance) on each side of my plane. I was wide-open at 112 mph and the F4's were steadily overtaking me. Each F4 had their gear down, their flaps fully extended, and would have likely opened their canopies if they could have gotten away with it ... anything to fly slow. As they blew past me, they retracted everything, lit their burners and "broke" away from each other. ME ... ... ... It was like running behind a diesel city bus. Major black smoke and that choking smell of JP4. There was no vortex nor other adverse effect on my plane ... just the experience of a lifetime provided by two adventurous playmates. I never reported or complained about any of it. I loved it and felt honored. Today ... heads would role ... Then, it was the WEST, and a man could do anything he was big enough to get away with. I liked life a "lot more" Then.

[@ronrogers]

Oh my gosh! Not that I would have done anything like that! HeeHee...

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers Do I get to add some more ?

[@ronrogers]

Absolutely!!

[@DaleShipsIt]

Learning from others experiences can be a great life hack. One of my favourite stories was dealing with difficult people. “Sir, Captain Sir”. Thank you for sharing your interesting life Ron. May you continue sharing for a long while yet.

[@ronrogers]

Thank you so much!

[@franksimon6617]

I was an Air Force brat for 20 years, starting out as an Army Air Forces brat. My dad was a WW II veteran who flew P-47 Thunderbolts (Republic Steam-lined Crowbar) until the end of the war. After serving in the Army Occupation in Frankfurt, he stayed on in the Army until he magically became an Air Force pilot in 1947. After that, he served at many Air Force bases, including Clark AFB in the Philippines flying F-86Ds. He retired in 1961 as an L/C, final duty helping Systems Development Corporation programmers learn how to "fly" a Bomarc missile. I am a Navy Vietnam Vet, serving as a supply corps officer on two cruises of the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), an old Essex aircraft carrier that was almost as old as I was. Ron, thank you so much for your videos, including the digressions. All the best to you! Frank Simon

[@ronrogers]

Great stories! Thanks Frank!

[@LocalConArtist]

Thanks for the stories, Ron. It’s really great hearing from such an experience pilot such as yourself, especially for those of us just getting started in their private and commercial licenses.

[@ronrogers]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@planeflyer21]

Thanks, Ron! It is good that you are getting these stories out, both yours and those of others. Too many have been lost to time, as those who go before us pass on.

[@vascoribeiro69]

Not being a pilot, but an aviationist since I know me, I had some odd aviation adventures. I flew acrobatics on Patty Wagstaff's Decathlon and Extra 300 with her pilots. Her office's bathroom was covered with signed photos of her flying different types of aircraft. I felt trully blessed to meet a flying legend. This was 2015, and how I got there is a long history.

[@zachprofitPSF]

Ron, I found your channel just before beginning PPL training. I’ve stuck with you for this whole time and really enjoy your airline career and airplane testing stories. I was just recently endorsed for solo cross country flight at about 30 hrs. Keep the stories coming!

[@ronrogers]

Thanks for watching and good luck in your training!

[@FlywithMagnar]

Good idea! More people should do this!

[@boeingav8tr525]

Great ideas. My dad, also a WWII veteran, wouldn’t share. He did share one repeatedly, and wish I had recorded it. Tail winds …

[@mrkc10]

I’ve always enjoyed your stories Ron. It’s nice hearing things explained from a professional that retired at the top of his game. I know when you’re talking aerodynamics and military/civil aviation stuff you more than know what the heck you’re talking about…unlike some people 😁 Your channel provides a great service that I like to call coffee talk. I typically watch your videos in the morning and I’ve found it’s a great way to start the day. I very much appreciate what you do and the time it takes to make it all happen 🫡🇺🇸 Merry Christmas Sir.

[@ronrogers]

Merry Christmas and thanks for the very nice words! I really appreciate it!

[@mrkc10]

@@ronrogers Yes Sir 🫡🇺🇸

[@brianmee5398]

Ok here is a short one. I was a Flight Test Engineer at Beechcraft doing certification of the Skipper. The test pilot always tried to avoid getting an IFR clearance if at all possible. We had finished the test points and were circling a hole in the cloud layer with the ground visible below. Just as he was about to bank over and dive through, a F-105 from McConnell zipped right through the dead center of the hole and back into the clouds. We shot the VOR approach back to Beech field that day.

[@richardgreen7811]

Last one for the week ... September 24, 1973 ... I had put in a long week on the road, and looking forward to my trip home to El Paso on Continental Airlines from the Midland / Odessa, TX airport. Not yet at the airport exit, I was stuck in traffic on Highway 20. While waiting for traffic to start moving, I just happened to glance to my right and noted a plane approaching for a landing on Runway 16. Because I was looking directly down the opposite Runway heading (34) while on the freeway, I began to note that the plane had auspicious flaps, but also, didn't have its landing gear deployed. As I watched it near the ground, I also noted it had moved slightly off the runway and was going to set down on the infield. THEN ... I saw it was a P51. When it delicately settled onto the grass, instead of immediately slowing, it seemed to actually speed up. HELLO ... The plane was not only not slowing but heading directly for my car while sitting in the right traffic lane with only a small red and white checkerboard utility building and the routine 4' cattle fence between us. The distance from the fence to me was maybe 30'. As the plane came closer, the right wing hit the little building then snagged in the fence. YEAH ... Definitely an underwear changing event. As the traffic starting to move, I exited into the airport parking area then into the building. I checked in, went to the gate, then the obligatory wait for boarding. As I stood in line, two guys walked up to the person standing 3 people in front of me. They inquired if he was the pilot of the P51 that had crashed, to which he replied "Yes". They indicated they needed a word with him. SOOooo ... who was it. It was Richard Bach (of Jonathan Livingston Seagull fame) flying his co-owned plane "This Is It" (a Blue-Nose Bastard paint scheme) ... the 1st plane I'd ever seen painted in IMRON. If you google him, Dick Bach has crashed more airplanes than Cecil B. DeMille. IS THAT IT ? Nope ... Fast forward to 2010. I'm scrolling one of my favorite internet sites (Controller.com) and holly crap. In the Warbird Section, there she was ... THIS IS IT, fully restored and in her original colors, and she was for sale (and me without a lottery ticket). She was hangared at KCMA (Camarillo, CA Airport, 10 miles from my house). I contacted the owner (I believe Greenbaum was his name). He invited me to his hangar for a reunion and treated me to lunch at the Waypoint cafe. His only request was that I do a write-up to attach to the planes prominence, which I was happy to do. My how things come back around in life.

[@ronrogers]

Wow, not that is a great story!

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers You can even google it. I was truly scared for my life. I had my car door open and ready to run had it not hit that little building. Amazing is that Bach was out of the plane and into the terminal in less than an hour. His "planned flight" in the P51 was to Los Angeles for a book signing event. With the crash, he changed to taking commercial flights from Midland / Odessa to El Paso with a connecting flight to LA. He didn't make the flight I was on due to the required interaction with local authorities.

[@ronrogers]

Your comments about Richard are interesting. I was with a group of old pilots at an event and they got talking. Richard had worked for one of them early on and they had absolutely nothing good to say about him. I was actually surprised and somewhat distressed because I had always enjoyed his books.

[@richardgreen7811]

@@ronrogers I guarantee if You google his name associated with aviation accidents You will not believe the volume and frequency. He has even crashed ultralights. I didn't say anything, but I knew two of the controllers on duty that day. Bach had reported the problem and they sent him to the practice area to conduct certain maneuvers in an effort to gravity-force the gear down but no dice. They had cleared him to perform a gear-up landing on 16 but at the last moment he intentionally veered off to the grass, presumably in an effort to minimize damage to the plane. He was not well thought of that day. Amazingly, he was just going to leave the incident with no immediate plans for the plane. It was the airport personnel that intercepted him at the Continental Gate and engaged him to arrange for treatment of the plane and damage to the utility shed and fence. Just imagine if he had actually gotten onto the freeway, which certainly would have happened if not for the small building.

[@Olandaeta]

I have definitely learned from the stories you have told. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. All the best!

[@ronrogers]

My pleasure!

[@rlsmith6904]

I like your stories. I apologize for not coming with a boot design for the Waco. It was not the configuration that I anticipated. And I couldn’t figure out anything useful from the photos that I was able to find. I hope that you were successful with the local shop. Thank again.

[@ronrogers]

I understand, Thanks for trying!

[@maxsmodels]

a great idea

[@benwatkins7600]

I have been subcribed since I first found your channel, always enjoy a good story!

[@ronrogers]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ShadesOClarity]

Love the channel and I have enjoyed watching it grow. You hit over 18k subs in a year and a half. I wish when I graduated college at 27 ( a little late), I had joined the Marine Corps. I think I would have been a good pilot. I ran out of money and that was that as far as my civilian training went. The digressions are the charm. I started my alcohol recovery channel last year on New Year's Eve and I have stories to tell about my trouble. Anyone here is welcome to check it out if there are a few in recovery.

[@powerpiggy141]

Here's a direct cut & paste of a story I submitted to the C141 Heaven site: "I retired in 1994 after 20 years as a C141 "Crew Dog." I'd seen her go from gray and white to lizard, short to long. Man I loved that bird and never had a bad word for her......until...... Shortly after my retirement, and working full time again, I decided to fulfill a life long dream. Using my government pension ( Which incidentally wasn't quite what my recruiter had painted it to be. But that's another story. ) I enrolled in the Northwest Aviation College in Auburn, Washington. I was gonna be a pilot! This small airport is located slightly north east of McChord Airplane Patch where I had finished out my career. On the day before my final check ride, my instructor and I went up for a dress rehearsal. Stalls, slow flight, engine out etc. All went well until I entered my downwind heading south. There at our altitude, in our airspace, was this HUGE ( I was in a Cessna 152 ) green four engined JP burning monster. My instructor yelled, "I've got it!" and proceeded to yank and bank us clear of the offending behemoth. Once safely on the ground and in the FBO it was obvious that he was more than a little pissed and shook. I knew just how to help him vent. I got on the phone and called McChord Base Ops and asked for the Duty Officer. Then I handed the phone to my instructor. I could only hear his side of the conversation, something about NOTAMS, airspace incursion, and unholy relations with animals. I never found out who that poor SOB in the barrel was, but he earned his pay that day. By the way, the following day I passed my check ride. I too now have put out my hand and touched the face of God." BTW Ron, I've been following this channel for far too long without subscribing. This deficiency has since ben corrected. Checklist Complete! Tim I think YT didn't post this first time around. forgive if duplicated

[@ronrogers]

Great story and thanks for following and subbing! Did not see a duplicate.

[@warped-sliderule]

@powerpiggy141 Nice story! At Edwards, I helped test her when she grew from short to long, and at Westorver, did a "load check" on a few during REFORGER. Have a 141 story, I was very green with my instructor practicing at Hansom AFB when a 141B was on approach. I'm creeping the Piper in closer from behind the large bird to get a better view. I think you know how it went... Got my first "loud instruction" on wake turbulence as we took another lap around to pattern to let things settle down. Thank you for 20 years of "logging" 141 time!

[@powerpiggy141]

@@warped-sliderule Thanks to you I now have this unshakable mental image of a Piper overrunning a 141! Yeah, she was a great plane. Kinda like a Prairie Wife...no beauty Queen but sturdy and reliable. I'd be curious to hear more about the REFORGER "load checks" and your part in it. Like most Military Retirees I have my "I Love me" wall. There, surrounded by various plaques, signed photos and other mementos hangs a lowly speed handle. Yup, cut me and I still bleed 5606. Brother in Arms, you go out and have a great day!

[@warped-sliderule]

@@powerpiggy141 Imagine a Piper with a RATO bottle :-) No biggy on the "load check." It was forecast to be a turbulent ride heading out over the Atlantic. The ARMY guys were off the plane stretching out during their stop at Westover. Our NCOIC thought we should go on board to check that the restraints on the trucks where sufficient and snug. I was a four-year wonder (316X3) with some added reserve time as Air Cargo Specialist. Fitting that your well worn "tool of the trade" is hanging on the wall. Says a lot about your dedication to the MAC mission. I hope you have a son that will one day cherish your speed handle...

[@powerpiggy141]

@@warped-sliderule Sorry, can't resist. My "Load Check" story: We were #1 departing Travis for McChord concluding an ORI. Our number 1 pallet position was occupied by our 'Trip Kit.' Think large ( heavy ) Nascar style tool box. I was sitting very close to the Crew entry door, when upon rotation, I watched this thing roll past me towards the rear of the aircraft. It couldn't go far as I recall there was a truck in position #2 but as you know, unsecured cargo is VERY serious. The Aircraft Commander immediately throttled back and leveled off as those of us in the back wrestled with this thing. Once it was secured we proceed to McChord without incident until we began our descent. I was stretched out in the red seat, not quite dozing, entertaining myself by guessing what stage of flight we were in by what motors, pumps what have you were running. "Hydraulic pumps on followed by a rumble and mild shaking... OK that's the spoilers, flaps next, OK good, there's the flap motor...*SNAP!!!* WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!" I saw the Scanner peering at the flap pack with a flashlight. He pantomimed flaps coming down with his hand and shook his head negatively. It was gonna be a bumpy landing. Well, not so much bumps as SOLID. genuinely the hardest landing I have ever experienced. Hard on the T/R's and brakes, which, you guessed it...hot brakes. I don't recall if it was the LM or Scanner who gave the evacuation order, but I do remember looking at him saying something to the effect of "Dude, I am waaay ahead of you there, this plane has been trying to kill me all night!"

[@joefin5900]

I promise this will be the last story today, Ron. On my son's first flight, from LGA to Bos, when he was one, he threw up all over himself. As we de-planed, the cabin and cockpit crew were standing by the door and the Captain, seeing the mess, laughed and said, "What happenend to him"? I said" He didn't like your landing".

[@ronrogers]

Good response!

[@bobcfi1306]

I am going to have to check on statute of limits before I document this stuff

[@richardgreen7811]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ...

[@allensanders5535]

i think Digressing is a good thing its a story in a story so if you want to Digress please do.

[@stever417]

How about interviewing some of the people that you reconnected with.

[@ronrogers]

Good idea. I have one in the works.

[@fjp3305]

What airplane is that where you are on the wing?

[@ronrogers]

The aircraft in the front is a F-104 and the one in back is a T-38.

[@fjp3305]

@@ronrogers No, the stationary one with all that people on the wing.

[@ronrogers]

Oh, that is an F-86. Here is the story: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZncfn-Ma92XY7c

[@fjp3305]

@@ronrogers But that F-86 has a different nose

[@ronrogers]

One is a D model, an interceptor. Different models had different "noses" for different radar installations.