ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Veteran of 42 years service in the Naval Air Transport service. A flight engineer with Air America and now retired in California. Loves flying space-A (no-cost military free travel for retired) and writing action adventure. Author of Lost in Laos, a story about his adventures in Asia with Air America and a sequel, Retriever One. Both soon to be released on Storymania Direct. [November 1999]
Shear Trouble Addison Gast
Captain Joe Long pulled the harness over his shoulders and fastened the seat belt. His co-pilot, Captain Larry Ryan, was already starting the checklist. "Great day for flying, Larry. Just look at the en route weather report."
They both grinned. This was scheduled as a straight LAX-SFO flight, not even time for a gourmet’s delight from the flight kitchen. Joe remembered the last time he and Larry flew this route. It was an exhausting day because of the unusual amount of air traffic they encountered.
“Global Air 283, you are cleared runway 21 left, climb and maintain nine thousand feet to Albacore intersection. Contact ATC on 110.5 for airway clearance to San Francisco International.”
Departure control sounded to Joe as if they were going to take them out over the Pacific and turn them loose at nine thousand feet. He turned to his co-pilot and said; "Did I miss something here, or did he leave us at angels nine over Albacore?"
"They did at that, Joe. Strange isn’t it?"
"We’ll roll out and get in position and call again. Probably have some inbound they want to clear before they bring us north." It sounded logical.
"Tower, Global 283 ready for takeoff. Confirm our clearance to SFO via victor 23 airway to San Francisco."
Joe knew that ATC would not let them take off unless they had clearance from Albacore to SFO. He was pushing the controller to do a faster job.
“Roger Global 283 you are cleared……”
The controller gave the clearance and added, “Sorry for the delay Global283. We had reports of wind shear on your route and wanted to make sure the problem had left the area before your clearance.”
"Whoa there, glad he got that cleared up. Nasty stuff, wind shear. You ever run into any of it Larry?" Joe asked as they turned onto the active runway.
"Never," replied his co-pilot. They could see the 21L on the runway and the straight middle line disappear under the aircraft as they climbed to nine thousand feet and headed for the invisible Albacore intersection.
"Holy cow!”
The two grabbed the yoke of the controls at the same time. It was stronger than both men could imagine. They could not hold the control from going forward into dive attitude.
"What do we have Larry? Pull back on power and drop the speed brakes, we have lost all rudder control. Do it now!"
"Mayday Los Angeles, I repeat Mayday. Global 283 going down we are at eight thousand feet ten minutes west of LAX in a nose-down attitude. Mayday."
It was no use. They could see the Pacific Ocean coming up at them at an alarming rate through the windshield of the multi-engined jet. The last few minutes were confused with stall horns and panel lights blinking and finally…. it was done. It was over.
Then a voice came over the speaker.
"Well congratulations Gentlemen, you have just encountered a velocity 6 wind shear at nine thousand feet. This will not go on your record. We just added the program to the flight simulator here, and you guys are the first lucky ones to get to try it out. Good day.”
READER'S REVIEWS (3) DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.
"Vivid & impressive style. The unanticipated ending brings Stephen King to mind. Encore!-We shall read the other works listed soon. -Bill Overmyer Studio City Ca." -- Bill Overmyer, Studio City, California, USA.
""Shear Trouble" is a sheer delight to read. How does this guy get so much punch into just 514 words?" -- William O'Neill, Riverside, California, USA.
"Exciteing and suspenseful all the way! I had to think awhile after reading the ending and that made the story even better. Write some more of these!" -- Donna Rheinhardt, Denver, Colorado, USA.
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