Here's to You, Ms. Robinson

 "So, what kind of plane are you flying?" The truthful answer is: the cheapest one available, and the cheapest pony in Oakland Flyer's stable is the venerable Cessna 152: the Cadillac Isuzu Trooper of the skies.

Juliet Delta - my Jalopy

The Cessna 152 is a two-seat high-wing monoplane (under)powered by a 110 horsepower four-cylinder engine that burns leaded fuel. It's not fast or maneuverable, luxurious, comfortable, or even particularly looksome. It is, however, stable to a fault, forgiving of youthful inexperience, and very predictable. In other words, it is the perfect airplane for beginning pilots, and most pilots first learned to fly in one of these or its slightly bigger sister the Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

These aircraft were built between 1977 and 1985, which means that the newest possible example you can find was built before the internet. My particular airplane was built in 1977 - the same year as the advent of punk rock, the same year as my Vespa, and three years before me. Her name is N757JulietDelta, which I think is a wonderful name, since we share initials. I affectionately call her "The Jalopy".

Even for how simple she is compared to nearly any other airplane, there is still a dizzying array of things to pay attention to.

Firstly, she's got dual controls, so if I screw up real bad Fiona can take over from the right hand seat. I don't think there would be a such thing as flight instructors without dual controls in airplanes. They'd all be dead as doornails. There wouldn't be all that many pilots, either.

Bells and Whistles

All of the usual "sixpack" of aeronautical gauges are there on the left: Airspeed Indicator (speedometer), Attitude Indicator (for checking your bad attitude), Altimeter (to see how high you are), Turn Coordinator (helps you straighten up and fly right), Direction Indicator (easier-to-read-than-the-compass thingie), and Vertical Speed Indicator (if the needle is low, houses get bigger, if the needle is high, houses get smaller). RPM gauge is over on the right. The red knob is mixture (something your car takes care of automatically thirty times a second), and the black one is the throttle (gas pedal). The fuel gauges are only accurate at indicating "empty", so make sure you top off before flying. The button on the top left of the control yoke fires the machine guns or operates the radio, I forget which.

Most importantly, there's a sticker warning us that acrobatics are not to be performed in this aircraft. Even though that seems a given, it is illegal for us to fly without that any of the other stic...er...FAA mandated placards stuck haphazardly with scotch tape permanently affixed in clearly visible locations. 

Rode hard and put away wet

So here's to you, Ms. Robinson. I know that even with all your cosmetic issues, funny noises, and idiosyncrasies; long after I've moved on to younger, faster, and sleeker models, I will always remember your patience in teaching me how to fly with finesse and skill, and I will always look back fondly on all the hours I've spent inside you.

Of course, you'll be on to some younger and better looking student pilot the minute I walk out the door, but that's the way it should be. Until next time - straighten up and fly right.

Mrs. Robinson was a knockout, though.