Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Sting and his mosquito into the Blue

flying machine

In case you were wondering whatever happened to the famous airplane called mosquito and the pilot Sting. I am here to tell you that the two of them are chopping up the blue sky. Sting a.k.a. French Husband passed his exams about a year ago. Though he has yet to take anyone up into the blue… Solo flying is his thing for the moment, and actually that is fine by me.

flying machine 

French Husband kicking checking the sturdy, massive, all in important, life giving, Oreo tire.

Is it just me or do those tires look rather small? I swear they are about a big as my hand. I try to imagine landing with those little puppies… and I cannot… they seem a bit make-believe to me. Like Oreo cookies.

French Husband said the first time he landed alone he tasted fear. Undeniable fear in a massive dose. He said he couldn't imagine fear like that, it encompassed every cell in his body. When he landed and got out of the plane, he walked away saying he would NEVER fly again…. 

Though as you can see he is still flying. Time is an amazing medicine for healing.

flying machine 

Sting and Mosquito, and a chicken taking the photos…French Husband says he feels he is nearly ready to take someone up into the blue with him. As soon as he feels comfortable with taking a passenger… I think. I hope. I doubt. I fear. I must. I will go up with him when he is ready. I just won't look at the tires.

take off 

Oh. I don't know. I hope he feels uncomfortable for a very long time. Really I do.

into the blue 

Into the blue.

Comments

41 responses to “Sting and his mosquito into the Blue”

  1. M-Noëlle

    I know you’d rather stick to firm land and hopscotch to “sky”…
    http://pagesperso-orange.fr/cros.phil/Marelle.jpg
    …
    Be aware… next step could be an alternative way to Alaska !?!…
    (Can Mosquito fly that far ???)

    Reply
  2. Kit

    I with you keeping my feet on the ground – the whole thing looks very small to me. Adrenaline is way too scary!

    Reply
  3. Jeanne

    Love and hugs

    Reply
  4. pauline

    There is fear, yes, but oh! there is an exhilaration to flying in a small plane that is incomparable. I have not soloed but I took a few lessons. That moment of lifting off the earth… and then the moment when you know you are safe again on land! You should experience them just once.

    Reply
  5. Billie

    I understand your feeling because my husband got his license a few years ago. You see and share some beautiful things up there! (think of the photos!) I honestly don’t feel afraid when I am flying with him and the planes seem to get larger with more experience.

    Reply
  6. Catalina

    I understand you Corey….first time I flyed (no, not me…someone else experimented pilot was the one “driving”) in a mosquito like this one I was scared…VERY…and then…suddenly being in the sky…was wonderful…and I forgot about being scared and I really, really enjoyed it!
    xoxo

    Reply
  7. Susan

    My brother got his pilot’s license when he was 15. Mom had to drive him to the airport for lessons because he didn’t have his driver’s license. When he was 16 he took mom, dad and me on a flight from Iowa to central Illinois. It was great fun, but I remember my dad being white-knuckled all the way. Brother went on to be a fighter pilot in Vietnam and retired as an airline pilot. Flying is thrilling.

    Reply
  8. Cindy

    I would share your fear! I hate to fly, but will do so with commercial airlines of course. But those puddle jumpers? Been there, done that, hated it!

    Reply
  9. Candy

    I once dated a guy who was a pilot. He rented a plane about this big and we flew from Phoenix down into Mexico – about a 3 hour flight. I remember it was exhilarating. I even got to “drive” for awhile. That was scarier. I trusted him more than I trusted myself. But that was back when I was very young and invincible and not nearly as claustrophobic as I am now. I don’t know if I could do it today.

    Reply
  10. anna

    I’m praying to his Guardian Angel to keep him safe, as I know you are doing as well. God bless him! I flew in my brother-in-laws small plane once, from San Francisco to Carmel and back, and that experience was enough to last me many lifetimes. I was just grateful I landed with clean underwear.

    Reply
  11. Jewel

    My husband wants to build a PIPER CUB, he has the plans and video,the plane is made of fabric and wood….like thin popsicle sticks. He’s a pilot and has built planes before…but I wasn’t married to him at the time, so I’m a little bit……… terrified.

    Reply
  12. linda

    Well Corey, at least your husband likes to stay in the plane while it’s in the air. Mine used to jump out while the plane was in the air!!

    Reply
  13. Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    I agree with you Corey, those tires look very tiny, hardly enough to support the weight of a plane. I can just imagine the feeling the flying a plane must give you. However, I know for a fact how difficult the task actually is. Does he land on a paved runway or grass. Around here, out in corn country the smaller airfields have grass runways. Now THAT’S exciting.
    Our friends are pilots and have taken us up whilst explaining what they’re doing. It’s very interesting but I’m content to enjoy the ride and let them worry about the technicalities.
    I’m glad you’re agreeing to be a passenger. You will enjoy it.
    – Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    Reply
  14. Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    Catalina – I will say a thank you to your brother for his service in Vietnam. It was a terrible time and the soldiers, sailors and airmen were victims of the war at home also. My husband did not dare wear his uniform while traveling. So just tell your brother I’m thankful that he served.
    – Suzanne

    Reply
  15. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh Jewel
    Popsicle sticks and Oreo cookies. Sounds like we are in the same Goody-goody club.

    Reply
  16. Stacey

    Loved the dance video!!
    Stacey

    Reply
  17. Dee

    My husband has a piper warrior…and yep…the tires are small…but I love to fly with him!

    Reply
  18. Vickie Hallmark

    Think of the great things about those tiny planes…oh, the places you can go!!! I have no desire to fly myself, but I love traveling with my DH in his Mooney. We’ve gone from Texas up into Canada twice now. I can imagine that flying around Europe could be fabulous!!

    Reply
  19. Rosemary

    Scary Corey!!
    I’m with you.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  20. shannon in oregon

    i can post! 🙂
    and what is that adage?
    you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

    Reply
  21. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Stacey
    Isn’t it amazing! I want to fly dance like that, ballet shoes skip the oreo wheels.

    Reply
  22. Miss Sandy

    Wow Corey, you really did marry adventure. Is there any feat your man won’t try? Quite the daredevil and I’d be a chicken too!

    Reply
  23. Carol

    Hi Corey,
    My Uncle took me flying as a child over Los Angeles/Hollywood and San Diego in a little plane and I loved it! He was a retired military pilot who had survived WWII. It was so amazing to me and he was my hero.
    I’d be afraid these days just like you, but once FH has more confidence and the sky is clear you should join him. Think of flying over all of those beautiful castles, cathedrals, vineyards, rivers and lakes you have in France with the love of your life.

    Reply
  24. Kris

    HAHAHA I remember when we lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when my kids were just wee ones. We rented a flat and lived upstairs. The owners lived beneath us. He had his pilot license and offered to fly me, husband, and two kids to our home town in Indiana.(My sister had a baby who was born prematurely (6months) and I was going to go home to help take care of her other two children while she re-cooperated.) It was in May and it was extremely humid. He owned a small Cessna and I wanted to sit in the front seat(what ever possessed me to do that I don’t know.) As soon as we took off and made the gradual incline up into the sky I grabbed the strap attached to above the window (which I never released until we landed) terror written all over my face and a stomach that was moving up and down like a roller coasterwith each dip edging me towards, well you get the picture. Imagine if you will, me sitting in an upright position with one hand under my seat and the other raised to hang onto the strap that was above the window. Hubby was in the back with kids ages 2 & 6. Lucky for us he had barf bags in the pouches on the back of the seats. I turned around once only to see my children’s faces looking a shade of pale I had never seen on them before!!! All barf bags were used (by the kids) and I was ready to use one myself when Scott(the man who took us) said “just look out into the distance”. “Don’t look straight down.” I followed his instructions and didn’t throw-up but let me tell you what I said then: (and I still haven’t changed my mind about this) I will never ride in a small cessna plane AGAIN! It was and still remains in my mind the trip from @$#@.
    Kris

    Reply
  25. Elaine

    Oh, Corey, my brother used to take my daughter all the time when she was a little girl. It was her job to “watch out” for other small crafts. LOL. My Mother thought he was serious and would always freak. I’m still here, Aimee is still here, you’ll still be here if you fly with FH. Enjoy!

    Reply
  26. Mary in MN

    Corey, my husband is a commercial pilot who started out in Cessnas. We went on several very pleasant trips together in that small plane.
    When I was 9 months pregnant with our son (now 25), MDH took me with him to ferry the 207 just a few miles from the main Minneapolis/St. Paul airport to a smaller airfield. On takeoff the plane’s door on my side flew open. My husband calmly reached over and pulled the door shut. After that nothing much could scare me. Quand FH sera prêt, tu auras confiance en lui, j’en suis certaine. With your mutual spirit of adventure, wonderful winged voyages await you. Do they have “fly-in breakfasts” in France?
    Mary in MN

    Reply
  27. Lisa Boni

    My dad used to fly and would take the family on vacations that way. Flying in a small plane is amazingly freeing. I still hate flying in jets because I can’t see the controls and what the person who is flying the plane is doing! Flying in a small plane gives you a view of the world that few people ever see ~ it’s enthralling!

    Reply
  28. Marilyn

    Though I love to fly, those little planes terrify me. I don’t blame you for being afraid. I went up in one once and said never again. Good luck when the time comes.

    Reply
  29. Star

    Scary. Very scary. Until you get French Husband right three beside the plane (and those Oreo tires) for scale, it is easy to imagine that the plane is bigger. I think my heart would be in my throat the whole time.

    Reply
  30. Terri

    My Joe loves to fly too! He is always talking about getting a little 4 seater and we can fly here and we can fly there. I like staying on the ground. Really, really like staying on the ground! I guess I will have to get a ‘scrip for Valium and join my beloved in the wild blue yonder! LOL

    Reply
  31. heather

    that would be kind of scary to fly in a small plane with my husband piloting…..but then again, think of the possibilities. you guys could hop all over europe!

    Reply
  32. Margie Wouters

    Hi Corey, I am chicken too…Mr Margie, son in law to be, and boyfriend to my other daughter, all fly with our friend in Perpignan (and he is a trained instructor). I stay on the ground…feet firm on terra firma. Apart from the small tyres, the flimsy frame gives me the heebee jeebees.Congratulations to French husband on obtaining his licence. hugs Margie.

    Reply
  33. Kimberly

    Corey I was cracking up at the oreo cookie description. Shared it with the boys and they laughed too. By the way, I am with you on this one. I would rather ride a motorcycle across the United States any day over a flight in the mosquito! Blessings, Kimberly

    Reply
  34. carol

    Oh Corey, NO! remain the photographer. Let FH go solo.

    Reply
  35. My Melange

    If you can see driving on a Harley across the great US of A as a great adventure, surely you can go up in the plane for a short spin.
    Actually you could kill two birds with one stone and just fly across the US and be done with it. You could spend the rest of the summer lounging on a chair on the beach, sipping a pina colada 🙂

    Reply
  36. Elaine L.

    I don’t think you have anything to fear regarding FH’s flying skills. He is obviously being careful and doesn’t want to take the responsibility for another’s safety, until he feels he’s ready.
    I think it would be fun as long as you don’t get motion sick, because in a little plane you feel all the bumps. Small planes are, also, very noisy. You have to yell to talk with one another.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  37. Julie Loeschke

    There is nothing like the thrill(terror?) of that first solo take off and landing! It’s been 25 years since I’ve flown, but can still feel it!

    Reply
  38. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Heather
    First we have to be able to go to p
    Point A and return to Point A without getting lost!

    Reply
  39. Catalina

    Suzanne, I guess I’m not the right Catalina… I don’t have a brother that served in Vietnam…we are not from USA…

    Reply
  40. jill

    luckily, when my husband got his pilot’s license I was pregnant…and the doctor advised me NOT to go up in an unpressurized plane…something about an exploding uterus…
    He rarely gets a chance to fly these days, which is just fine with me. I do find it interesting that his awareness of space became different…in all directions rather than our earth bound awareness of space.

    Reply
  41. Tom Knowles

    Hi Corey. Please tell Yann I am inpressed by his bird. It is not as small as I thought it would be. Wow, to fly over the French countryside in that…heavenly. Thank you for all the comments about Daisy. They lift me up. Love you, tom

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions