[SkyCat]

Just can't believe it! Not a plane available to rent! None! Zero! Zilch! ..... Alright, lets think this through.

After, over an hour of thinking, talking and pacing about, I was still no closer to finding a plane. "Excuse me sir!, The man at the desk over there mentioned that you are a pilot and were looking for a plane to rent!" Trying not to sound overly excited I said in a calm voice, "Yep", "Well my wife and I just filed a flight to Louisville to visit our kids and we would be happy to drop you at Indy" Talk about Christmas cheer, I quickly said yes and followed my new found friend to his plane. Oh my, a small Cessna, almost like the one I learned in years and years ago!. The old man asked if I would mind flying the leg to Indy! I agreed and he said that he normally flew a different type and was powered by a very unique style of propulsion! I looked at this old, somewhat portly man, and noticed that the twinkle in his eye grew as each minute passed! Well I said, lets get going, it's 16:30 and hopefully I would be in Indy by 18:00!

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[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]


Well, there it is, my home airport! Let me land this and taxi to the private area and I will be out of your hair!


[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]


With a robust laugh, he said that he had a ways to go yet tonight! I looked at him and said Louisville wasn't that far! With another laugh and a smile he said I had just no idea...............

[SkyCat]

After thanking my new found friend I retrieved my bag from the back and started to walk to the terminal. Business card! I should give him my card and maybe return the favor sometime in the future! I turn to go back but strange, he was gone! I never even heard the plane rev and taxi away. I must be more tired than I thought! Still, that was strange, but what a nice old jolly man he was.

Walking to the terminal, I was really wondering if my dad remembered the signal I gave him to pick me up at 6! As a child we always went to the Circle in downtown to see the lights on the Soldiers and Sailer Monument. I had told him that if I ever needed picked up I would ask him what time the lights came on! Well it"s now or never! Opening th door, I find my dad standing there with a big smile on his face and a tear forming in his eyes.

"Welcome home son, Your mom and I are so glad you made it "Home for the Holidays"". Your mom will be so surprised!

As we walked from the terminal on this cold crisp night, I looked at dad and realized just how important it is to be with family on these special days.

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Since we had to drive close to it, I asked if we could drive by the Circle and see the lights!
Certainly said dad!


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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

[AS201 Joe]

Great read, Scott! I really enjoyed following along with the adventure to get home.

[SkyCat]

Thanks Joe, most appreciated!

I thought this would qualify for the Home for the Holidays event! Guess not!

Thanks for all, I resign effective this post, please remove me from the roster and the Flight Manager list!

My best to all!

[AS201 Joe]

Sorry to hear that, Scott.

I do see the three flights in your flight log and your home airport is set (not sure when it was set though). Maybe just an oversight? Could have maybe shot Tom an e-mail.

Sorry to see you go though.

[AS 2 Tom Little]

Yes, could be a coding error - it is complex and obviously may not be perfect! I'll check this out.

[AS 2 Tom Little]

Scott (and a few other participants!) here is what happened:

The last leg is required to be at least 150nm from home base. However, I went ahead and awarded all. Please assure to catch this for next year.

Found flight but not long enough: AS 188 Scott Clawson Fltid=316072 Dep=KFWA Arr=KIND Airline=ASG Type=GA Filed=1450946243 Hired: 1431878958 Distance=91 Home Airport: KIND

Found flight but not long enough: AS 295 Neil Burgess Fltid=315050 Dep=EGSS Arr=EGCC Airline=ASG Type=GA Filed=1449337203 Hired: 1207958400 Distance=127 Home Airport: EGCC

Found flight but not long enough: AS 423 Simon Utley Fltid=314666 Dep=EGLL Arr=EGGP Airline=ASG Type=GA Filed=1448739862 Hired: 1445111609 Distance=142 Home Airport: EGGP

Found flight but not long enough: AS 497 Jeff Storm Fltid=314741 Dep=KFMN Arr=KALS Airline=GLA Type=SCH Filed=1448832137 Hired: 1435171407 Distance=121 Home Airport: KALS

Scott I enjoyed the storyline very creative and adds so much depth to the event, thank you for sharing this!