Nose-up. Always.
One of the benefits of our new house is my office. It’s located in the attic, and is my all my own space, filled with plane books, models, photograps, plus my computer. No TV, no radio, no distractions. Much more focused than the previous one.
This new office has two major drawbacks: roof windows. My desk is directly below one of them, so I just have to raise my head to look at the sky, clouds, planes tracks. Best of all, depending of how Frankfurt airport operates, I can see planes lining-up on the ILS. As they are still flying high there is no noise issue, but I could spend hours looking at them. Not exactly productive.
As I was driving around the area to explore it, I suddenly was in front of an Airbus 319, ready for landing. Flaps and gear down, landing light on, opposite direction, few hundred feet higher ! A later look on Google Earth make it obvious: this section of motorway is exactly aligned with one of Frankurt Airport’s runways. It looks impressive, and here again I had hard times remaining concentrated on driving (and yes, it’s one of these portions of German motorways which have no speed restrictions). I’ll try to get a picture of that later.
I don’t know if raising the nose each and every time a planes pass by is an ability or a disability, but it is common to all aviation enthusiasts. Next time you hear a plane, look for people around you with nose up, and you’ll have identified all aviation fans in the are. Granted.
This works so well that I even used it, years ago, as a test when recruiting new collaborators. I always arranged interviews in a conference room from which the tarmac was visible, or a short drive around the airport. Candidates that did not gave a single look to an airliner taking-off or landing were not having good marks.
Over years, I discovered this also works the other way round. When new colleagues or managers join the company, it’s easy to see which are looking at planes and which are not. Usually, those not looking don’t stay for long. It’s still a business for passionate persons, and I hope it will stay so for years. I start my new job tomorrow (writing time, not publishing time), and hope many colleagues will be nose-up !
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
Pat
My office window is on LFRN ramp. I’m looking outside too often, and always nose up.
I confirm: It’s a pain to work with people not interested in airplanes, especially in an aviation-related business.
Apr 3rd, 2008
Simon
..While reading this post a sudden smile comes to my face..i’m 28, in few months i’ll pick up my master of science graduation in electronic engineering..that’s me and my crazy passion for flight..always nose up while big, small airplanes or elicopters pass over my head ..not only when i saw them..but when only i hear engine sounds my mind became fool..my eyes start searching for the airplane in the sky…my friends often say that i’m a little bit crazy..and i answer…”,crazy to fly”….
My first step will be a discovery flight with an instructor here in cagliari (Italy) in the next couple of days then i know that i’ll attend a flight school to pick the PPL..and dedicate my life searching a job who can allow me to pay my flights…that’s all
Thanks plastic pilot to make me feel every day on your airplane..
ALWAY NOSE UP AND SMILING
Apr 5th, 2008
PlasticPilot
@Pat: Luck you. My new office window (at work) gives on kind of an inner court – may increase my productivity.
@Simon: thank you, and good luck with your training. Let me know how it goes on, or if you need any help. When you’ll be over, you’ll have to fly all the way north through the Alps.
Apr 6th, 2008
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