sometimes it's the little things (revisited)

In response to Jay's post I would like to post the following story to pay
respects to an aviator that took the extra step to help a fellow pilot in
trouble. If anyone has a similar story I'd like to hear it.

My in-laws are visiting my wife and I for a few weeks. My father-in-law is
a real history buff and his favorite subject in history is the Civil War and
knows quite a bit about it. I got the bright idea of having us all watch
the movie Gettysburg one night and told them that I would fly them to the
battlefield the next morning.

He was sooo excited to see Gettysburg as he has never been there. Actually,
this is his first trip to America. They are from the Philippines.

The next morning we all woke up to a beautiful sunny day with calm winds.
They flight to the historic site was a very relaxing flight. They also
never flew before in a small GA airplane.

Gettysburg airport is a really nice place btw. The runway was recently
re-done, lengthen and widened. The airport is just minutes from the history
sites, restaurants and the battlefields. What I didn't know was that it was
recently sold to new owners and there are NO facilities there! No FBO, no
fuel, no service, no courtesy car, no taxi's, no nothin'!! It was an
aviation ghost-town. There was no one there and no planes on the ramp.

I began calling for a taxi and they were non-existent. I tried limo
services...nothing! I called restaurants to see if they would provide
transportation for 4 hungry customers. Nothing doing! I called 411 for
help, I called hotels, motels and B&B's and they thought I was crazy to ask
for a ride.

AAMOF, the B&B owner asked how I got her number. I said it is listed in a
pilot's airport directory called Flight Guides. Her response was, "Well
I'll have to call them and remove my name. I don't want to be picking up
pilots" eh?!?

Most people, upon hearing that I was at the Gettysburg airport said,
"Gettysburg has an airport?" or "AT THE GETTYSBURG AIRPORT!! I THOUGHT
THEY CLOSED THAT THING DOWN!" or "Why would anyone fly into there?!"

As I looked around at this perfectly functional airport within a stone's
through of a great tourist and historic site I became depressed. How could
such a nice airport go un-used and un-loved. I began to realize that I had
no options left. I would have to announce that we were getting back in the
plane and going home.

Just then I heard the familiar sound of an airplane engine over-head. It
was on base for Gettysburg and I blew a sigh of relief. Maybe these folks
know how to get a ride to town and back again.

Upon landing they taxied to a hangar and a man and a woman stepped out. I
walked over.

"Hello! It's good to see someone. Can you guys tell me how we can get a
taxi to town?"

"Yea, that's a trick. There are no taxis. What are you all going to do?"

"We were hoping to see the battlefield and visit the museums and electric
map."

"Well you're in luck! Our car is available. Would you all like to use our
car?"

"Eh? You mean you'll give us a ride to town?"

"No, I mean we'll drive you to our house and you can take our car for the
day. Just bring it back to the airport when you're done and my wife and I
will pick it up."

"Wait! You mean this Mercedes? You're going to let us take it for they
day!"

"Sure, no problem. Jump in and we'll drive you to our place."

Well that is exactly what they did and they even gave us maps of the town,
told us the best places to eat and made sure we knew how to get back to the
airport.

I didn't know how to thank them. I could only fill the tank (which was
already full). I told them that if they are every in Lumberton, NJ (N14)
that I would love to treat them to dinner or lend them my car.

What great folk aviators are to each other. How trusting and caring. God
bless them and I hope one day I can repay their kindness for saving our trip
and allowing my father-in-law to have such a cherished memory. His greatest
moment was standing on Little Round Top just at sunset looking out on the
hallowed battleground of Pickett's Charge.

Kobra