---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 12/26/02: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:26 AM - 2755L has a new owner (Robert Bullock) 2. 07:06 PM - Twas the night before Christmas (Chris Wall) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:26:50 AM PST US From: Robert Bullock Subject: Commander-List: 2755L has a new owner --> Commander-List message posted by: Robert Bullock According to the FAA database, 2755L, which was at Assoc Aero at PWA, has a new owner. This was the one they got like $25K for with new -MV props with like 70 hours on them. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 07:06:25 PM PST US From: "Chris Wall" Subject: Commander-List: Twas the night before Christmas --> Commander-List message posted by: "Chris Wall" Don't know if this had been posted before, but it was the first time I had seen it. Happy Holidays, Chris >>'Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp, >>Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ. >>The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care, >>In hopes that come morning, they all would be there. >> >>The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots, >>With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots. >>I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up, >>And settled down comfortably, resting my butt. >> >>When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter, >>I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter. >>A voice clearly heard over static and snow, >>Called for clearance to land at the airport below. >> >>He barked his transmission so lively and quick, >>I'd have sworn that the call sign he used was "St. Nick". >>I ran to the panel to turn up the lights, >>The better to welcome this magical flight. >> >>He called his position, no room for denial, >>"St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final." >>And what to my wondering eyes should appear, >>But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer! >> >>With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came, >>As he passed all fixes, he called them by name: >>"Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun! >>On Comet! On Cupid!" What pills was he takin'? >> >>While controllers were sittin', and scratchin' their head, >>They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread, >>The message they left was both urgent and dour: >>"When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower." >> >>He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking, >>Then I heard "Left at Charlie," and "Taxi to parking." >>He slowed to a taxi, turned off of three-oh >>And stopped on the ramp with a "Ho, ho-ho-ho..." >> >>He stepped out of the sleigh, but before he could talk, >>I ran out to meet him with my best set of chocks. >>His red helmet and goggles were covered with frost >>And his beard was all blackened from Reindeer exhaust. >> >>His breath smelled like peppermint, gone slightly stale, >>And he puffed on a pipe, but he didn't inhale. >>His cheeks were all rosy and jiggled like jelly, >>His boots were as black as a cropduster's belly. >> >>He was chubby and plump, in his suit of bright red, >>And he asked me to "fill it, with hundred low-lead." >>He came dashing in from the snow-covered pump, >>I knew he was anxious for drainin' the sump. >> >>I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work, >>And I filled up the sleigh, but I spilled like a jerk. >>He came out of the restroom, and sighed in relief, >>Then he picked up a phone for a Flight Service brief. >> >>And I thought as he silently scribed in his log, >>These reindeer could land in an eighth-mile fog. >>He completed his pre-flight, from the front to the rear, >>Then he put on his headset, and I heard him yell, "Clear!" >> >>And laying a finger on his push-to-talk, >>He called up the tower for clearance and squawk. >>"Take taxiway Charlie, the southbound direction, >>Turn right three-two-zero at pilot's discretion" >> >>He sped down the runway, the best of the best, >>"Your traffic's a Commander, inbound from the west." >>Then I heard him proclaim, as he climbed thru the night, >>"Merry Christmas to all! I have traffic in sight." > >