John Kitsco

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Looking back (as we all do) I have special fondness for the memories of times
spent in the air, with some very special folks. For example, one gentleman
(who likely would prefer not to be named) was basically a detective. His desire
to fly for me ( on aerial photography assignments) led to some interesting
conversations. Like clockwork before leaving the tarmac my detective-pilot
would remind me to quickly tell him what were important things on take-off
and I would recite the same line, that the black box was in the rear of the plane,
the fire extinguisher was between the seats and that in the event of going down
to leave the door slightly ajar and then my detective-pilot would chuckle and say
that in fact, the door was not a jar...well, that was his sense of humour. But often
this gentleman was quite serious and I would know that likely something went
on and he was not liberty to talk about it. Police information stayed with the police. But I could readily detect his sadness or anger and tried to deflect that
mood with some of my own stories about where we were going and what we were
taking photographs of. One flight my detective-pilot arrived with plastic
gloves and quickly remarked..."Oh, just finished a drug bust and just about got
bit by a mean junk yard dog..."  and that was all the information I would get.
Then again, we were off on another photo-flight.  On one of the last times I had
flown with my detective-pilot he did tell me that his work was stressful and he
intended to move up north with his wife, Both were woodsy folk and would like
the isolation that others fear.

Another gent (Stan) was a combination farmer-teacher-pilot-welder and had
many stories to tell about the farming community, how the crops were looking
and some very sad stories about the danger of working with equipment, such as
one gentleman who had both arms pulled into a chipper and then eventually
died and not a soul was near to help.  It just demonstrates how easily accidents
happen. Stan himself crashed his car on the way to meet me at the airport one
Saturday and that flight was cancelled. Stan had his car demolished and was
told he likely passed out from exhaustion, as this gent had far more on his plate
than most of us. It just caught up one day. Stan always took time to speak of
God and how we all need to be thankful for each day.

Then there was Al, who grew up near Manitoba and fought tooth and nail to
be successful and eventually owned a few aircraft and some tidy shares in the
oilpatch, all along the way keeping his life simple and his acts of kindness
always showed in his conversation and things he talked about. Al had a terrific
sense of humour while flying and when things went wrong as they often do in
a small aircraft Al tried to deflect the conversation while showing a look of
worry of whether we would make it back safe and sound...

And then, a dear dear friend Garry who was respected in the flying industry
and taught aerobatics  and tested small aircraft. While testing a small aircraft
something went wrong and the small plane headed (nose first) to the ground.
Garry (in spite of being in a wheelchair) has to be the most positive person I know. I don't think that anything that might happen could take away the joy
and wonder of life that Garry carries each day. And not to forget his incredible
desire to study and learn in many areas where others might fear to tread. Garry
once reminded me that things are never so bad and that some carry a bigger
cross and bigger pain....and the time Garry encouraged me to take over flying
one sunny day, he reminded me in a unique way.....yes, you can do it.  

And that is a sampling of just a few of the fine individuals who took me about on
many years of aerial photo-flights and each one rightfully has a story and a
special quality. Yes, there is something very special about our pilots in this
world....and each pilot understands the risk factor and the faith factor when
beginning a journey.