A theme about flying, pilots and fate.

Many, many pilots whether civil or military or private, have read the book by Ernest K. Gann entitled Fate is the Hunter.  Ernest Gann was born a little under a hundred years ago, on October 13th 1910 and died, aged 81, in 1991.  He is known, in the main, as an aviation writer and airline pilot pioneer but achieved much more besides.

Fate is the Hunter is a book about the workings of fate. And this Post is more than a reminder of Ernest Gann’s book and the message it carries, it is also about fate, as Part Two published tomorrow reveals.

Fate or serendipity has happened along to cause a number of recent Posts to be about flying.  We had the Post about low-level RAF flight training in North Wales – Mach Loop.  Then we had three Posts about air carrier operations prompted by the PBS Series, the first one being published on the 2nd October.  Today, circumstance brought me to the Blog  of another naval aviator, published by Neptunus Lex.  More about him and links to the Blog later.

I want to set the scene by using the words of Ernest K Gann as he starts the preface to his book.

This is not a war story – and yet it is.  Any tale in which the protagonists are so seriously threatened they may lose their lives demands an enemy capable of destruction.

The difference between what is told here and familiar war is that the designated adversary remains inhuman, frequently marches in mystery, and rarely takes prisoners.  Furthermore, armistice is inconceivable and so is complete victory for either side.

This war continues as you read these words and must prevail so long as man insists on striving for progress.

None of the warriors here involved were forced into battle, a circumstance which removes a certain amount of ugliness and the saddening, hopeless sense of futility normally created when the soldiery is impressed.  Here the human combatants have engaged themselves willingly, knowing full well that their blood might stain the field.

Now I want to tell you about another flyer, a US naval pilot. I know very little about him save for his words and, just as Gann, his words are eloquent, powerful and moving. He uses the non de plume of Neptunus Lex. This is how he describes himself.

I’m stowing this in what I hope is ancient history – it’s somehow embarrassing for me to write about myself in a current addition. Can’t say why.

Raised in old Virginia. Taught to be a gentleman before it was required of me.

A naval officer, and naval aviator – still serving, but no longer current in an airplane, alas. A trade school graduate, I got my wings in Meridian, MS a long time ago, and spent another 18 purgatorial months there instructing before joining the west coast fleet, flying God’s jet – the FA-18 Hornet. Cruised aboard the USS CONSTELLATION (twice) and INDEPENDENCE (once).

Did a tour after that in Key West, Florida, flying the F-16N, F-5E and A-4E aircraft. Best. Job. Ever. Also where I had the Worst Day Ever. But that’s another story [indeed, tomorrow’s Post]

Department head tour in Japan. Hornets again.

TOPGUN instructor after that. Was never more proud to be a part of something.

Commanded a west coast FA-18 squadron.

Served as Operations Officer aboard the fleet’s finest aircraft carrier. Put her to bed after 41 years of faithful service.

Now serving as a staff pogue in sunny San Diego. Believe certain things to be true. Don’t declare them to be, however.

Married to the best girl I ever met, who also delivered up three wonderful children. Don’t really know how I could be happier, or more blessed.

Vitals:

– Flight hours: ~4400
– Arrested landings: 570, or so.
– Deployments: 7
– Original thoughts: Tends towards zero
– Ability to recognize a good idea: Tends towards infinite

Lex has been gracious enough to give me permission to publish his details and the story of his Worst Day Ever.

By Paul Handover

• Aircraft
• Core thought
• Flying
• History