Keith, at 21:28 on May 15 1995, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> I take it you're not aware that taking-off with a full load of fuel, cargo, 
BG> and passengers, is the most dangerous part of flying?

KR> flying, these days, is so boring that the take off is the only bit of 
KR> excitement left (: i think i've felt nervous about takeoff 3 times

I don't feel nervous any more.  One joint, and I couldn't give a fuck.

KR> 1 waiting for the winch rope to be attached on the first solo in  
KR> a glider (16 years old and in dire need of fresh underpants).

Yeah, the first solo is a pretty big step.  Glad it was you and not me!

KR> 2 stepping off a hill for the first time strapped to a collection 
KR> of aluminium tubes and sailcloth.

Now hang-gliding is something which although statistically less safe than
powered aircraft, is something I'd quite like to try.  An Ultra-light would
be nice too, but Lyn isn't at all impressed with that idea.  Needless to
say, I won't be getting one any time soon.

KR> 3 sitting in the back seat of an ancient jet trainer (no ejector 

A Macchi?

KR> seats) with the pilot going through the emergency procedures while
KR> waiting for clearance, and thinking that if anything went wrong, 
KR> we were fucked!

True, but it would all be over in a second.  |-)

BG> and would happily have another bike if Lyn would let me.
BG> She won't even let me buy an ultra-light either.  |-)

KR> funny that, i've the same trouble with wendy, it was even her 

Oh well, no point swapping wives then.

KR> idea for me to sell my hang glider - something to do with the 
KR> landing that left the nose and tail pointing in the same direction 
KR> (:  still, due to my great piloting skills, i limped away 
KR> uninjured (:

KR> gotta have a go at paragliding though - one of these days.

Elaborate?  Is that the little 3-wheel cart with engine, and a trailing
sports parachute for lift?  Paraplanes, they're called, and I reckon it's
the best $5000 you could ever spend.

Bob and Paul (and Rod too, I guess) will all be thinking "what a
fuckwit, he doesn't like flying commercial, but would gladly strap himself
into one of those deathtraps".  Maybe they _are_ more dangerous, but
if I crash, it'll be my own fault, and not some other bastard's.  |-)

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

--- Msgedsq/2 3.10 alpha