Just a Landing

[Few Cloudy]

I have to write this down, while I can still remember it. Remember the feeling of it and not just the theory. It was already two days ago and I know how soon the sensation recedes when you don’t fly. . .. .The easiest part to remember is the actual tactile feeling as the mainwheels touched down. It wasn’t quite the absolute silky dream-on cream-on which impresses the passengers but it was a very gentle double kiss, with the spoilers not quite knowing whether to come or not. . .. .Prior to this we had made a flaps 40 approach because there was almost no wind and we were close to max landing weight. This put the cockpit closer to the ground and the thrust had to be kept on longer before the retard. Got a nice sense of how high we were due to the proximity of the cockpit to the ground as we entered the ground effect and the rate of descent began to break by itself. Then I slowly closed the thrust levers and added backpressure to counter the thrust induced pitch change. . .. .We hung there for a split second as she sunk gently on and then put the thrust into idle reverse, as the runway was long and it was still early in the morning. Just remembered to hold the pressure to stop the nosewheel crashing on - not like the MD-80, where you physically had to land the nosewheel by pushing the stick forward. Braked a little right after the reverse deployed and disconnected the autobrake. Let her drift along till just before second high speed exit and then braked a bit more and just rolled out at taxy speed. Said to myself "that’ll do" and heard the FO say "nice one". "Just as well," I thought, "with the missus on board.". .. .So what is so special about that? You and I do it everyday. Well, just that it was the last one I’ll be doing and the last time I’ll get up on a bloody freezing morning and the last time I pull on a yellow bib to cross the tarmac and the last time I fly level over the cloud layer in departure and talk to London control and get direct BAMES and turn up the instrument lights as the sun comes over the horizon and see Paris and get a short cut steep descent to Geneva and do the approach and – yeah, the landing. Just so I don’t forget it, I had to write it down. . .. .Keep enjoying it guys – and "Thanks" to all who made it possible.

[edriver]

Good luck. And thanks for reminding that we have the most beautiful job in the world.. .. .Ciao

[Avman]

Good luck and very best wishes from the boys and girls at "Maastricht Control".

[Oleo]

<Sigh>. .. .Best wishes for your new adventures...

[AF1]

Nice post FC; pity to be losing you, from the skies at least.. .. .Best wishes from another ATC.

[t'aint natural]

Dreamy stuff, FC... well written.. .Does GA hold any charms for people like you? Can you replace some of what you had by tooling around in a VFR recip? Or a helicopter? Or is it all too tame to consider after the real thing?

[ATC Watcher]

Best wishes on your retiremet FC.. .I wish you many more sweet landings, in other types perhaps but possibly equally rewarding. ( a perfect " 3 points " in an old timer leaves also a sweet taste ..). .There is hopefully never a "last one "...

[Brenoch]

Enjoy your retirement.. . .Best wishes..

[Caslance]

Fantastic.. .. .Like Laurie Lee in his pomp, you have given me images that will stay in my mind forever.. .. .Enjoy your (hopefully long) retirement.

[Georgeablelovehowindia]

Yep, on my final flight, I used half the runway, poncing it on. Then, a quick taxi to stand 21, a rapid setting of the park brake and an even more rapid exit into "A" toilet. Don't EVER do your last trip to India...

[Cisco Kid]

Well done Billy.. a bit of a tear jerker! we will have that glass of mineral water soon... .Best of luck Cisco.

[KIFIS]

Few Cloudy:. .There was no need to write that down because you won't forget it. Believe me I know. One of the things I've learned in this shadowy life of retirement is that it (the retirement) is made just a little easier by memories. You don't have to talk them you just think them. They are yours alone and they are priceless. The French philosopher Marcel Proust said: " Memories remain fixed, while the person or event that gave rise to them has already changed. ". .. .KIFIS

[Cosmo]

Few Cloudy,. .Hope you have a fulfilling retirement. You have just described what draws me to aviation. . .. .regards,. .Cosmo

[Tight Slot]

Only the buzz of the speedbrake handle comming out, to indicate that we're back on planet Earth, is the best sensation ever whilst fully clothed.

[Hagbard the Amateur]

Sad to hear you brought the last one home. Still, at Züri Bash II you were describing some of your illustrious flying experience - maybe now is the time to write the book. BTW, if you fancy a beer or a jam sometime, drop me a mail.

[phd]

FC - you could always become a writer in your retirement - thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for the memory.

[InFinRetirement]

Welcome to the 'Club' FC the 'water' is warm and the urge soon disappears.. .. .Now it is time to join my friend CamelPilot on the Aircraft History forum and put some of your jottings down - for the benefit of all retirees and the enthusiasts.. .. .Enjoy your retirement - then it lasts longer <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[flapsforty]

Some poster's Nome de Plume tend to stick in my mind. Your's is one of them. . .. .So not surprised at how you have been able to write poetry using everyday words describing the technical feat of landing an aircraft.. .. .Your description of that last landing touches the heart and enriches the reader.. .Thank you for sharing it with us. <img src="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/kiss.gif" alt="" />. .. .Very best wishes for a happy retirement!

[DCDriver]

Good Luck Bill from a former colleague during the '70's & '80's, still aviating ex-LGW.. .. .See you in the stuetzli-fufz'g for a beer!

[Few Cloudy]

Thanks for the nice replies boys and girls - makes you realise how many friends there are/could be in this business - just so difficult to meet them..... .. .As for the suggestions:. .. .Writing a book - well that might happen one day.... .. .Flying GA - yes it holds great attraction - gotta learn to fly all over though.... .. .A beer or (mineral water) down at the village pub - well that may happen sooner rather than later! . .. .As for it having been an illustrious career - I would call it a pretty standard one these days - just a bit longer than some maybe. Meantime to all those still "at it" keep it friendly and fun.. .. .FC.