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Re: Flying an Islander across the Atlantic
Back in the 80's, a good buddy of mine, Freddy Beyer was a demo pilot for Aero Commander. He delivered 3 1000 Commanders to Ireland and England via Greenland. On one flight to Ireland,upon arrival, he checked the company pilot out, who he said was nervous and impatient.(read "know it all".) Finally Fred released him to fly, the fellow took off and promptly landed the new Commander 30 feet off the runway. Fred said it came down with a resounding bang, bending the tail section down several degrees. After long conversation with Rockwell Commanders boss, it was decided to fly Jack Pogue, Freddys pal and ACE AP,AI over to the scene. Jack arrived from Maryland, took a look, went to hardware store, purchased many lengths of aluminum 90 degree strips, drilled and riveted them around the bend area. The Irish inspector arrived and stated that NO one would be allowed to fly it in that condition. They took him out for dinner and got him "in a good mood" wherby he allowed that they could test fly it around the field the next morning. They did, and headed for an English airfield near a port. Commander then asked if they would fly it home, if not they would arrange to ship it by boat. They said no, but they WOULD like to come home by Concorde. Aero Commander said "Sure" and paid for their tickets. Jack Pogue passed away in the 80's, in a Pitts, at an airshow, at Martin State Airport here in Maryland. Freddy Beyer CFI ATP 16000 hours, passed away a few months back in Havre de Grace, Md. They were legends in their own right! JC
Back in the 80's, a good buddy of mine, Freddy Beyer was a demo pilot for Aero Commander. He delivered 3 1000 Commanders to Ireland and England via Greenland. On one flight to Ireland,upon arrival, he checked the company pilot out, who he said was nervous and impatient.(read "know it all".) Finally Fred released him to fly, the fellow took off and promptly landed the new Commander 30 feet off the runway. Fred said it came down with a resounding bang, bending the tail section down several degrees. After long conversation with Rockwell Commanders boss, it was decided to fly Jack Pogue, Freddys pal and ACE AP,AI over to the scene. Jack arrived from Maryland, took a look, went to hardware store, purchased many lengths of aluminum 90 degree strips, drilled and riveted them around the bend area. The Irish inspector arrived and stated that NO one would be allowed to fly it in that condition. They took him out for dinner and got him "in a good mood" wherby he allowed that they could test fly it around the field the next morning. They did, and headed for an English airfield near a port. Commander then asked if they would fly it home, if not they would arrange to ship it by boat. They said no, but they WOULD like to come home by Concorde. Aero Commander said "Sure" and paid for their tickets. Jack Pogue passed away in the 80's, in a Pitts, at an airshow, at Martin State Airport here in Maryland. Freddy Beyer CFI ATP 16000 hours, passed away a few months back in Havre de Grace, Md. They were legends in their own right! JC
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