by Cappy McHat
My first memory was being taken out of a big box with a lot of my friends after we had all been stitched with McFarlane emblems on our fronts. I learned as the days went on that McFarlane is a famous provider of almost anything great for airplanes and has a great reputation for building things better for less money. Before too long we were all being unloaded in the booth at a place called Oshkosh before the big AirVenture flying show and airplane-fanatic gathering with 10,000 nice airplanes. It was amazing to see all the people coming and going at our booth. Before long a guy named Bob was explaining how he just bought all new McFarlane control cables and fuel parts and wondered if he could get a free hat. I was chosen to be his new hat. I walked around the show with Bob that year seeing all kinds of amazing airplane things.
Bob was restoring his Dad’s 1954 Cessna 180, that his Dad and Mom flew around the country on their honeymoon in 1956. They even landed on a street near Los Angeles Airport due to fog. Bob decided the way to get the best flying lessons in a Cessna 180 was from an experienced former airline pilot that coincidentally lived near Los Angeles. We hopped on a jet and flew out there and received 25 hours of training in the instructor’s Cessna 180 together. I don’t really know how Bob and I did the flying so well, although there were a few times where I almost jumped off of his head. It was extremely windy with the Santa Ana winds blowing at some of the 23 airports we went to in the Los Angeles basin and up in the mountains. Somehow the fear is the back of the plane wanting to go first and swap ends or at least that was what Bob and I had been told about those notorious tail wheel airplanes. The old-time instructor would always step in to save the day if things got squirrely. He said it was all because he had his lucky flying hat watching out for him. His cap – me of course – learned quite a bit on that trip. I know he is only human, but I wish Bob had paid better attention during all those lessons. After that trip Bob decided I should be promoted to become his Lucky Flying Hat! I was so proud to be called to that important duty.
Bob and I have been through a lot together since. I flew Bob and his wife Susan on some fun, folding bike riding, camping and some Great Lakes Island airport adventures. He goes flying for lunches a lot and probably could drop a few pounds, but I don’t tell him that. He says more adventures will come when he retires from selling airpark houses and other homes. I have worked hard to keep him on the runway and not off in the weeds. He has done pretty well for the most part. He still hasn’t perfected all of his landings though, even though it’s been about 800 hours and 22 years since he took those initial taildragger Cessna lessons with me on top. Fortunately, we both like practicing landings and we do pretty good with our exciting super short landings. His and my job is still a work in progress, I guess. Maybe in another 22 years he’ll finally nail those crosswind landings if we’re lucky.
Lately I’ve noticed the edges of my front and sides are getting really frayed. I think Bob has aged a bit too. We don’t talk about that much, but I noticed he leaves me in the airplane now and takes a handsome new hat when he goes into an Airport Restaurant. He has started carrying this hat around and introduced this new guy to me as his backup lucky flying hat. It is a Recreational Aircraft Foundation hat with fancy venting and nice fabric. We have actually become good friends and share stories with the yellow airplane, Bob’s Mom’s lucky flying rosary and Bob’s Dad’s miniature funeral flag, while we’re all parked in the hangar waiting for our next flight. I’m confident that when my time comes to retire, Bob will be in good hands. In the meantime, we’ll all try to keep the greasy side down and not bounce too high on our landings.
It has been a pleasure flying with you, Bob. Thanks for the memories!
