Practical Love–Do Something!

On March 8, 2012March 8, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn FaithLeave a comment

Here’s another simple, practical tip on how you can show love to your fellow believers; do something for someone. Do you have a skill that would help someone? Do you have a truck that you can help transport items? Can you knit a hat?

Your Christian brothers and sisters have all kinds of needs and you are specifically gifted to fill one or more of those needs. Look around, talk to others, spend time together and find out what others need. When you become aware of a need, offer to help. The offer may be declined but be patient, polite, genuine, and persistent and soon you will be taken up on your offer.

Are you having trouble offering or even asking for help then you need to immerse yourself in God’s Word. God’s Word will give you the motivation you need. Think of what Christ did for you, is haling off a table in your truck any harder? Now get out there and do something!

"It is the word of God energized by the Spirit of God that brings about the change in our hearts we so desperately and continually need. The Christian must have the effectual working of the word in his heart if he is to minister to others." — Blog post from Christianity.com

A Versatile Dog

On February 14, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Humor2 Comments

I came across some photos of our timeshare dog, Rosie. I call her a timeshare dog because she goes back and forth between staying with us and a family from church. She mostly lives with them now but I can’t help but extol the virtues of this little dog.

Right out of the box she came with the ability to communicate with satellites.

She could speak sign language.

She stored easily and was VERY easy to transport.

Likes hanging with her homies in the hood.

Has her very own action figure.

Loves to read.

Can lay eggs.

EXCELLENT watch dog.

But mostly she is just always there to keep you company.

What a versatile dog!

Practical love – Suffering together

On February 13, 2012February 13, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Faith2 Comments

Recently I became convicted that we as a church need to find new ways to show love to one another. To that end I will be emailing you with simple, practical tips on how you can show love to your fellow believers. Comforting one another is an amazing testimony for Christ. I recently ran across a passage in a book I was browsing online…

"Suffering can unite people in powerful ways because it reveals their common need for God. Divisions and conflicts often appear trivial in the face of suffering. Make room in your life for broken and grieving people."

Whether they are grieving over the loss of a spouse or loved one, dealing with children’s physical or behavioral challenges, or even just not feeling well, think and pray about what you can do to help. From providing meals or child care to simply listening to them share their struggles your willingness to come along side and share their suffering will point them to the source of true hope – Christ. Let your shared hope in Christ draw you closer together.

Another great day golfing

On February 11, 2012February 11, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Rans S-6ES CoyoteLeave a comment

I flew to Farmington again today to play golf. This is the second time I’ve flown there in the past couple of weeks and both times it was cloudy and drizzly. That didn’t matter though. It is still fun to land on that grass, hop out, grab my clubs and play 9 holes. I’m the worst golfer ever but I do enjoy the walk.

Old silliness

On February 4, 2012February 4, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn HumorLeave a comment

I’ve been going to old files and mementos and ran across the following. It’s been floating around in other forms for years but this was our adaptation of it. This is from my days as a test equipment technician at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co, now Lockheed-Martin Missiles and Space. FYI, D5 refers to the Trident II Fleet Ballistic Missile System.

D5 Test Equipment Technician Technical Skills Aptitude Battery

Instructions:

Read each question carefully. Answer all questions. Time limit 4 hours. Begin immediately. Work in numerical order (equipment remaining from question 1 may prove useful with questions 3 and 6.)

Medicine: You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of Scotch. Remove your appendix. Do not suture until your work has been inspected. You have 15 minutes.
History: Describe the history of the papacy from its origins to the present day, concentrating especially but not exclusively on its social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Be brief, concise, and specific.
Public Speaking: Two thousand drug-crazed aborigines are storming the classroom. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except Latin or Greek.
Biology: Create life. Estimate the difference in subsequent human culture if this form of life had been created 500 million years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on the English Parliamentary System.
Music: Write a piano concerto. Orchestrate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat.
Engineering: The disassembled parts of a high powered rifle have been placed in a box on your desk. You will also find an instruction manual printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes, a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel is appropriate. Be prepared to justify your decision.
Sociology: What sociological problems might accompany the end of the world? Construct an experiment to test your theory.
Management Science: Define management. Define science. How do they relate. Create a generalized algorithm to optimize all managerial decisions. Assuming a 7600 CPU supporting 50 terminals, each terminal to activate your algorithm, design the communications interface and all necessary control functions.
Psychology: Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the emotional stability, degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each of the following: Alexander of Aphrodinias, Ramses II, Gregory of Nicea, and Hammurabi. Support your evaluation with quotations from each man’s work. It is not necessary to translate.
Economics: Develop a realistic plan for refinancing the national debt. Trace the possible effects of your plan on these areas: Cubism, the Donatist Controversy, and the Wave Theory of Light.
Epistemology: take a position for or against truth. Prove the validity of your position.
Classical Physics: Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an evaluation of the impact on the development of mathematics on science.
Modern Physics: Produce element 107. Determine it’s half-life.
(NOTE: At the time this was made up, there were only 106 known elements. Bohrium is element 107, discovered in 1981.)
Energy Resources: Construct a working fusion reactor.
Philosophy: Sketch the development of human thought. Estimate its significance. Compare with the development of any other kind of thought.
General Knowledge: Describe in detail, briefly.

Extra Credit: Define the universe. Give three examples.

Back at JB Golf

On February 1, 2012February 2, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Rans S-6ES CoyoteLeave a comment

Many years ago I used to fly an Aeronca Champ. I loved landing it off airport. For years I used to fly to a small golf course in Farmington called JB Golf. It was created by a man who loved golf and flying. I was introduced to this strip by Jerry Hansen. He used to fly his 175 and then his Pacer in to this strip. I tagged along in my Champ. Well, time passed and Jerry wasn’t able to fly into JB any more. I built an RV-4 which I never could slow down adequately to land safely at JB. I really missed flying in to JB and that is one of the big reasons I sold my RV-4 and built my new plane; the Coyote. Today I was finally able to find time to clean up my golf clubs fly in to JB.

The owner loves to have airplanes fly in so if you’re a golfer and you have reasonable short/soft field skills you are welcome here. The strip is located just east of Stockton Metro Airport in central California. It is marked on the SFO sectional as J-B. It is listed as private but pilots with appropriate skills are welcome to land.

Here are a few pictures from my trip today.

Another Video

On January 23, 2012January 23, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, RV-4, TravelLeave a comment

Here is a video I made of my trip to Oshkosh in 2005. It’s mostly a video log of the airports I visited. But some of it is kind of funny. You get punchy sitting in a cramped cockpit for 10 hours.

Oshkosh 2005–Part 1

Flying Footage

On January 22, 2012January 22, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, RV-42 Comments

I was cleaning out my bedroom and ran across a DVD I made years ago. It’s flying footage I took from my RV-4 and set to music. Watch and experience the thrill of flight (and the Edgar Winter Band) from the safety of your computer.

Mercey Hot Springs

On January 14, 2012January 14, 2012 By The Flying DutchmanIn Aviation, Rans S-6ES Coyote, Travel3 Comments

I’ve been intrigued with Mercey Hot Springs ever since I found out they had a runway so today I decided to fly out there. I didn’t have time to soak because of engagements later in the day but I certainly had time to fly out there and check things out. To get there I flew due south from Oakdale to the Panoche VOR (PXN) and then hung a right. Mercy Hot Springs is probably 3 miles or so due west of the VOR itself. If you’re going to drive there it’s in the northwest part of Fresno county on Little Panoche Road. Here is their website with directions: https://merceyhotsprings.com/

Today was perfect flying weather, a little hazy but not a breeze in the sky. MHS is located in a draw between some hills. The runway looks to be 2000 feet long or so and hard packed dirt so small tire guys can easily handle this runway. It IS narrow though so make sure you can land straight, you’ve only got a few feet either side of your tires to play with. Also, note that there are quite a few gopher holes in the parking area so if you do have small tires, be careful. My 6.00×6’s were fine.

As I approached the strip I was trying to come up with a story as to why I landed in case I wasn’t welcome. As I flew over the strip I could see another plane parked next to the runway so I figured this was a green light. I flew a wide left pattern so I wouldn’t overfly the guests and ruin their peace and quiet. Incidentally this met with the owner’s extreme approval as I later found out. The approaches are mostly clear and not noting any wind I elected to land from south to north. There was a mild breeze on the ground that was from the north so this proved to be a good idea. As I came down short final I noticed that there is a small hill in front of the runway. It isn’t very high but you’ll want to be aware of it. I skimmed over it and landed easily on the hard packed dirt.

I taxied back and parked next to a Murphy Rebel. The pilot and his copilot were there. I asked him if it was okay to land here. He indicated that it probably was but he always calls ahead to ask. I figured it was better to ask forgiveness so I headed into the registration office after pushing my plane back into the parking area.

I walked over to the office and was warmly greated by a man a woman sitting in the office. I asked them if was okay to fly in. He said it was fine but legally he had to tell me the runway was closed. He asked if I saw the X’s. I told him I did and had parked next to one of them. He said that was fine, it’s just that the county wants the X’s visible from the air. He said, “Here’s the deal, if you’re flying by and you hear a funny noise or you want to check an aileron or something, feel free to land and check your plane out. If everything seems fine and you’d like to camp or soak, you’re welcome to do that.” Then he handed me a brochure and explained the various facilities. Very sociable and friendly guy as was his wife.

The registration office is the Spanish architecture building on the left.