Poetry for us rotornuts

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; [rotorwings]
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

---O the promising young men we have lost
WWI & II, Korea Nam Irac Afgan, the dear cost
---all to keep our freedoms and safety here
lest we forget the lives lost for what we hold dear...
--HellEd1

Photo below is John Magee Jr.
 

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OLD DOGS SHOUT & CLOUT...
---Won't be long now for us old dogs itching to run
roll em outside, check over real good, ready for fun
---prime that baby, pull it thru, hear that friend shout
winter rest did it no harm, sounds all full of clout...

---Head for runway, warming up like it should
puring like a tiger, makes this old boy feel good
---very few of us know what this is all about
in just a few words, turns us back to kids that shout... [yes mam]
 

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Arnie, That was embarrassing, I got hacked bad, Capt. Fetters sent the crook 2000.00 bucks, [just kidding] I don't get on RF much any more. Too many low time experts on here that poo poo guys that learned everything the hard way. Just read your masterpiece, 3/1/12--- Arnie you are a poet, you could run circles around me. Man, I'm impressed. Don't stop now my friend. I just wrote a good one on our friend Homer Bud Oneal...
 

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BENSEN DAYS COMING UP FAST, MADE ME REMEMBER ALL THOSE YEARS BUD WELCOMED US AND APOLIGIZED FOR ALL THE BUCKS HAD TO SHELL OUT FOR REG. CAMPING, ETC. IT WAS WORTH EVERY CENT BUD. WHAT A GUY! THIS POEM TELLS IT LIKE HE IS...
THIS ONES FOR BUD...

---To our world, your friend and mine
Bud not only handsome, but so kind
---a people person like none other
all his good traits from his Mother...

---All those good years at Bensen days
I learned every one of his good ways
---everyone else that knew him best
his southern gentle ways tell the rest...

---More friends then I can count to
so glad Bud we are friends with you
---now let us enjoy our golden years
thinken of memories that bring us cheers...

---Bud your good friend and mine
Dr Bensen robust & in his prime
---he surely was one of a kind
is in Heaven having a good time...

[THIS PHOTO TAKEN OF DR. BENSEN BY YOUR FRIEND AND MINE, RON IACONIS
IMEDIATELY AFTER HE LANDED AFTER A SPECTACULAR FLIGHT IN HIS CAPT. FETTERS ENGINERRED INSTALATION OF THE FIRST UL 2/STROKE TO REPLACE THE MAC. POWER & TORQUE WAS AWESUME, DR. HOVERED IT AROUND, HANGING ON THE PROP, LIKE A HELICOPTER. HE WAS A PILOTS PILOT...
 

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MOST PATROTIC MAN...
---If everyone was like our friend Bud
our world would be chock full of love
---Bud is most patriotic man I know
check his Homer Oneal FB, it will show...

UNDER BUDS WATCH, THIS GYRO HAULED HUNDREDS OF KIDS 20 MINUTE RIDES FOR 5 BUCKS A HEAD FOR OVER A DECADE. ADULTS WERE 10 BUCKS.

MOST RIDES ENDED UP 30 MINUTES, [ASK BERNADINE?] EVERY PERSON EVER IN THIS MACHINE, EVEN 6 YEAR OLD KIDS, FLEW IT, IN THE AIR, THEMSELVES AFTER SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS, THEN GUYS [WITH DUE RESPECT] LIKE GURU DOUG, BADMOUTHED AIR COMMAND FOR OVER A DECADE. NOT ONLY DOUG. BUT A PASTLE OF BIASED PILOTS. THEY WERE WRONG THEN, AND STILL WRONG NOW...
 

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No poets?

No poets?

STILL NO POETS?
---Have not been on RF since March or less
no poets that are Rotor nuts is what I guess
---been working on and flying 6 days a week
the smoothest rotor & perfect weather I seek...

---Gyro flying is dieing as we can see
the American man is lazy as can be
---not any incenative to build a craft
on a magic carpet with no driveshaft...

---They will never know a joy we share
lost their zest just like they lost their hair
---home from work, then turn computer on
waste another evening till they start to yawn...

---Life is short
I must report
---days wiz by
before my eye...

---Youth goes fast
prime is cast
---midlife looms
old age zooms...

---Whats the use
no golden goose
---all in vain
lots of pain...

---Nothing eazy
shun the sleezy
---get er done
while theres' sun...

---Soon be over
head for clover
---way up above
there is love...

---Cradel to grave
work is slave
---try our best
then get rest... {[email protected]}

These pictures are a machine I built for Angelo Manual with 100 HP Subaru.
Secret to this performer is a narrow thin 60" Tenn prop to turn only 2600 RPMS' take off, 2200 cruise. Fuel use under 3 GPH. This baby can put on a airshow...
 

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You sum up the life of a charter pilot well Arnie. But it never does away with the joy, or didn't for me.

This was inspired by a phrase of Vance's

Pilots

We cavort across the trackless sky, both you and I,
bound by bonds as intangible, invisible,
as the element we dance through on our gleeful paths.

Swooping and soaring across the azure canopy above
the heads of those unfortunates who,
lacking these wings that bear us up above the mundane,

Must stand beneath and watch, as we soar; lifted out
of the daily rut and dreary round.
Dancing through the lofty sunkissed cloud pillared halls.

Tasting the joy, that freedom in those unfettered heights
brought to those of us, who casting off
Earthbound shackles, reach out, embrace the ecstasy of flight.
 
There once was a guy named helicopter Ed
He just could not get rotorcraft out of his head

Master of poems, Commander of Air
He graduated many pilots and each added a new grey hair

No short-timer he, dedicated and devote
He will tell you or anyone just what rotorcraft are all about

Gyrocopters, gyroplanes, autogyros, helicopters, rotordynes and convertaplanes
To Ed are all are good and he will explain

Building, flying, training all a joy
To Ed these are all fun but not to be treated as a toy

A PRA founding father and a blazer of many trails
So many contributions like ripples made much of our little gyro pond.

At Mentone every year, you can meet him, seem him fly, few hanger chats are so dear
So when the sky is clear, think of Ed, surely next to a rotorblade he is near.
 
Tim, a pilot, instructor and poet...

Tim, a pilot, instructor and poet...

ALL WE NEED IS A FEW GOOD MEN...
---PRA in good hands with Tim
can count on anything with him
---a pilots pilot workaholic to
all his efforts for me and you...

---His big red machine floats along
singing that Don Farrington's song
---up, up and away with ease
with Lycoming and alittle breeze...

---Want an instructor to do it right
with that Lycoming he can fly at night
---lots of take offs and landings will do
makes a good gyro pilot, it could be you...

{sorry Tim, {I wasn't on forum for a month}, your poem is v-e-r-y good...
 
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Need to dust this one off for Marion {was on her profile}.

Miss Marion...
---Old age for you is a long way off
Dr. B said for every minute flying aloft
---is doubled & added to your lifespan
and from Aeronca on, U flew your plan...

---So take care of all your critters and stuff
keeps you so busy can't worry about fluff
---will keep you so pretty and young at heart
be up at dawn raring and gung ho to start...

ADDITION,
---You have any idea the admiration for you
all the people you helped with patience too
---all your care and writing for PRA and others
always more fun then the Smothers Brothers...
YES MAM...
 
Long ago when gyro pilots where bold
and prerotators weren't invented
they towed their Bensons down the road
then flew away contented?
 
Been wondering where you were. Good to see you back. I lost Gaylord's number. Can you PM or email the number to me? Thanks, Ed

James Lee - TN
 
My name is Mylo
I'm new to the Forum
I may not have a gyro
But I still join the fun

On this thread I got a chuckle
Reading with certain delight
Knowing at one time they had to white knuckle
To realize their dream of flight

To this I can relate
It's not like riding a bicycle
And while it's still in a crate
I'll do the same when I fire up my Helicycle

It takes a special breed
To take on building and flying
Quick to lend a good deed
To those grounded and crying

I like being a rotor head
Thoughts in the clear blue sky
My reason to get out of bed
Is to one day be able to fly


Thanks for the entertainment

Mylo
 
Well done, Mylo, Kevin and thank you Ed!

.
 
A MANS MAN, OUR HE-MAN...
---Always the gentleman, white shirt and tie
inventor, craftsman, with a twinkle in his eye
---5percent inspiration 95percent sweat&tears
a doer, a done-er, test pilot for all his years
-
---His command of pure English with his brogue
all 19 different machines could carry the load
---his patience, demeanor made him our chief
what he accomplished is way beyond belief
-
---He has ascended to that ocean of air above
where all aviators greet each other with love
---"time spent flying is added to our lifespan"
Ken stretched his years to 97, being our he-man...
 

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A STORY POEM}...

MY LIFELONG DREAM...
---With nary a word or hint to anyone at all
I started my journey determined not to fall
---rather then drive or fly to get there in ease
I hopped a freight as easy as you please...
-
---I switched trains as needed, on the run
sometimes barely making it, made it fun
---headed for Chicago, for something exciting
for what I had in mind, no one was inviting...
-
---I got there in daylight looking for a cobbler
wanted some claws on my shoes like a gobbler
---the shoe man looked at me as if I was nuts
this guy had no idea, this old man had guts...
-
---I left the cobbler with my modified shoes
knowing in my mind, my plan might make news
---the sun was still high, badly needed to eat
headed for the Sears tower, wanting some meat...
-
---My eye caught a steakhouse with in a trot
I would soon fill my stomach for energy a lot
---had until sundown, yet four hours to kill
ordered the hungryman special for my fill...
-
---Energy would be needed to reach the top
once I got started, no way I would ever stop
---scouted the huge base of the Sears tower {Willis}
the weather was perfect, no sign of a shower...
-
---This would be the highlight of a race to run
lay down for needed rest till the set of sun
---under cover of night won't be easy to spot
real embarrassing for this redneck to be caught..
-
---With night coming down I leaped to begin
had asked for forgiveness for any past sin
---had a hook with a handle & the shoe claws
With strength, guts and will started up the wall...
-
---Furthermost thing from my mind was any glory
as I struggled slowly upward story after story
---was enough light from the buildings around
to see all the edge holds I needed and found...
-
---Climbed hard and crazy like you know what
wondering if a door or window on top would be shut
---not to worry I would get in one way or another
why bother with small things easy for this smuggler...
-
---As the things on the street were just a speck
I lost any fear of falling, and breaking my neck
---made it to the top, the midnight bell was ringing
laid down to rest the night, with no more clinging...
-
---Next morning well rested sunshine so bright
looked over the edge couldn't believe the sight
---city way down there below starting to steam
couldn't believe I had really done my dream...
-
---Took a good picture would be my only proof
if I get caught going down inside, I'll spoof
---took one last look at below & broke a window
climbed inside, not a soul in sight did show...
-
---Took the 110 floor stairs at a real slow pace
with that special feeling that I had won the race
---no eyebrows raised with my shoes with claws
or my handle with hook and smile on my jaws...
-
---Back outside took one last look and picture
my luck had run good, weather and the mixture
---couldn't have went better I say under my breath
now will head for home, happy I had cheated death...
-
---Headed for the big train yards to hop a ride
hopped a slow headen south on the door side
---after my feat this trip will be a piece of cake
took my rest, a chance to think of every ache...
-
---Safely hopped new trains to reach near home
now will stay put awhile not wanting to roam
---missed by nobody the days I did my thing
somethings a man gotta do, to feel like a king...
-
---Did this really happen or was it only a dream
I know one thing, it was as real as it can seem
---not a sole witness saw me from bottom to top
in all I have dangered, this was cream of the crop...
-
{helled1)
 

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OUR COLORFUL WORLD...
---Some of us lucky ones see the real beauty
with a birds eye view of the wonderful world
---of Fall, from our Magic Carpet of Aircraft
with Rotorblades. The dreamers of old didn't have
---this privilege or joy, man has always wanted to fly...
 

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APRIL THRU OCTOBER...
---Any nice morning noon or evening
we roll out our Magic Carpet thing
---for peanuts we fly for an hour
we take off climbing our Ivory Tower
---Helo's are beyond our pay grade
elusive dream learned the hard way
---in what other aircraft can we putts
half throttle or less, and need no guts
---will not stall ever, at slow putzen to zero
Ken W, Dr. B, Ken B, Bill P, Dennis F, all our hero...
 

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A BIRTH OF A HIT...
---Any one in Rotor Kingdom have the
gift of putting words to music?
---Wrote a Country song that needs
a hit making melody, needs a special
---ballad type a crooner can bellow out..
-----------------------------------------------

{Song of love}. (Copyright, Helicopter Ed. Verizon 513-225-3172)
YOUR LITTLE GIRL VOICE AND SMILE...
---All these years, mutual admiration society
something lately clicked for us both to see
---gentleness kindness patience, both our traits
we know without a shadow, that why we waits...

---To be together even for a wee little while
brings both a tingle and that genuine smile
---words not needed we are on the same page
a lot is not even relevant, especially our age...

---An older man and a younger girl is what I see
and we both have a sincere reverence, for Thee
---working together we blossom like a fresh rose
a little shorter, may just need on your tippy toes...

---Sometimes you leave me hanging, that's okay
I just read between the lines, listen to you say
---In that little girl voice and that little girl smile
I'm so crazy to be with you, I love your style...

---Lots of years left to share much more together
maybe lots to do inside, in inclement weather
---two heads together are much better then one
let us both face it, nothing new under the sun...
(Chorus)
---So easy to want and love, you self made woman
your whole life ambition has been to "get er done"
---I love what I learned to know these many years
as near as your phone, to kiss away all your tears...
 

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