[Leica] (new) STORY SERIES AS A TEST FOR THE NEXT BOOK? :-)

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Airborne 1965 **

==========

During my early days of flying I always unfastened my seat belt as soon as 
the

"buckle up" light went out. I had this kind of reckless bravado on an 
assignment to the Congo. During that flight, I learned the full meaning of, 
"For your own safety and comfort, we recommend you keep your seat belt 
fastened at all times."

 

Flying in a military transport plane I had the good fortune of three seats 
to myself, allowing the luxury of sleeping across them during the long 
flight.

 

Without warning the aircraft hit turbulence. Suddenly I found myself rudely 
awakened

hanging near the ceiling frantically grabbing at the top of the seats while 
the plane dropped

away from me. I wasn't alone in this moment of uncontrolled free flight; 
obviously others had been flying with unbuckled seat belts also.

 

Camera bag, film, people and box lunches tumbled in the air for what seemed 
an

eternity. But in a few moments we thumped back onto our seats.

 

First things first!

 

A photographer always checks camera gear first. "NOT THIS TIME!" I couldn't 
get the belt fastened quick enough. If there was any more free-fall flying, 
I was staying attached to the airplane.

 

I've never flown since without buckling-up, "take off until landed!"