A different kind of Flying Story
« Eight-zero knots, two hundred feet, Sir ». Such polite people they are, really. When has anyone ever called me « Sir »?
« Steer two-one-zero, Sir! »
Well, I can do that, thought I to myself as I proceeded to make a gentle left turn.
« Right turn, please! »
Oops, now how did I make that 120 degree mistake? 
It’s a bit much to expect me to simultaneously manipulate two steering controls, hold course, keep the ball in the cage, all at 150km/h, 200 feet above the water, and following instructions in English!
What am I doing here? I’m flying a Seaking Helicopter with 2.000 PS and I am terribly embarrassed that these 9 people who came along for the ride have just seen me disgrace myself!
And where are we? Over the Skagerrak and Kattegat heading toward the « HMCS Halifax ».
How so? Well, that ‘s a long story and what does it possibly have to do with gliding? However, it’s the most unusual experience my young 54 years have experienced and perhaps deserves to be told:
Last spring, there was a Canadian glider pilot who wanted to go to Florida on vacation and get in some soaring. He stumbled upon our website and found the address of the Seminole Lake Gliderport, as well as the complete flight manual and technical information for the glider he wanted to rent. That way, he could prepare himself, and subsequently he was inspired to write about his experience. That’s how we first came to know each other, via e-mail.
A few e-mails later, Yves saw that I too was a sailor, and as a Naval Officer, asked me if I would be interested to accompany him on « his » ship. Of course I jumped at the invitation to sail aboard a warship, and asked him where and when.
But, what did he mean by « my » ship? Was he Third Officer or the Captain? And what kind of ship was it exactly, a Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel or an Aircraft Carrier?
Well, allow me to explain:
Yves Bastien is the Commanding Officer of a Canadian frigate. The « HMCS Halifax » is 500 feet long, has a crew of 225 and displaces 5000 tons. I didn't even have to share a hammock with the cook, I was treated to the Admiral’s quarters, quite appropriate, thank you!
When I arrived in Gotenborg, there were eight other similar warships in the harbor. The following morning, these NATO ships would cast off for maneuvers at sea, with Friedel Weber on the bridge of one of them. Now, is this actually part of the job description of a glider manufacturer?
In order to do justice to the full story, I would need to create another website. So, I’ll focus here on a few highlights that were especially memorable to me. First, I never really knew much about the military, and to me it truly is “another world”. Perhaps you too would be interested in getting a glimpse into life on board.
The Captain is the Boss!
The whole ship snaps to action at his command. He has comfortable quarters and does not have to stand watch, as he is always on duty. Every five minutes there is a question from someone. When he eats, the telephone accompanies him. Over his bunk, a compass is mounted on the bulkhead and the unavoidable telephone hangs beside him.
No one needs to stand at attention on the ship, but there is a certain distance between the Captain and the crew, even the Officers. That also means that he doesn't have the opportunity to exchange a personal word with anyone. This generalization is probably an accurate one.
In the evening, the Captain sits at his table and is pleased: « Today was a good day. We only burned 23 cubic meters of fuel. » Yeah, with 23,000 liters, you can drive your car 6 times around the world!
Discipline on board can be felt right down to the lowest ranks.
No matter who you speak with, everyone is undeniably friendly, but one can sense that certain distance which discipline brings.
The system of « Order and Obedience » is simply the way of life on board, and is questioned by no one. When an Officer says something, it is not questioned, rather the instructions are carried out quickly, sharply, precisely! In a civilian corporation on the other hand, one wants everyone to think independently, so that a department head contradicts the stated direction if he believes he knows a better way.
A trip on a warship can be a pleasant experience for anyone when it’s calm and sunny, as it was for me. However, even during a December storm on the North Atlantic, one still needs to stand his watch, performing his duties outside, as usual. Not such an easy life after all.
War on the video display unit
The very sacred and mysterious Operations Room, is where all information flows together. During critical situations, the Captain won’t be found on the bridge, but rather sitting in front of his video display unit. What is he doing there? I have no idea. There are limits even for the Commander’s guest, since he is « only » a civilian.
Flying a Seaking helicopter is quite a challenging art.
If only this….thing was a bit less skittish. It really does pitch and roll to all sides, and yet with all it’s 9 tons of weight is as maneuverable as a DG-800. Now, if I could just be able to take the theoretical instruction of changing altitude with the collective and controlling speed with gear changes, and translate that into practice, things would go just fine. So, when after a bit more than an hour, the pilot in the right-hand seat took his hands away from the controls, I was rather proud. However, when it came time to land on the pitching and rolling flight deck, I gladly relinquished control back to him!
That a helicopter lands at an international airport (Kopenhagen-Kastrup) on a 3.000 meter track (it comes down on the threshold), and then rolls behind the yellow Follow-me to the parked position, was not entirely clear to me. Taking off goes the same way.
Safety comes first.
In the military, the safety maxim is steadfastly adhered to, and even a glider pilot can learn from this. Well, maybe some of it is a bit overdone, but all rules are faithfully adhered to and before each flight, the same familiar safety briefing is repeated. The drills are practiced over and over and over until they drop. But hey, in a real emergency, at least they know exactly what to do!
No laughing during maneuvers!
A dummy is thrown overboard, and when a minute and a half later, it floats past the stern, the duty watch sounds the alarm, and a smoke flare is tossed out, marking the spot. While the crane is quickly used to lower the inflatable, the ship turns full circle. The rescue boat is in the water, racing toward the « drowing sailor ». They haul him on board, and already the medic who kept him in his sights is beginning first-aid. Did someone laugh?
The Executive Officer, (XO) Mr. Aquanno stands by with a stopwatch in hand.
« Six and a half minutes, not so bad, but we already did it in six!»
Then there is the neighboring ship which is boarding us. We are supposedly a freighter with suspicious cargo on board and must be searched.
The Captain of the boarding ship unfortunately speaks only German, which creates a slight problem for the Norwegian ship. 
Our guy is not exactly cooperative, and a shot must be fired across the bow (the « shot » fired with a beam of light). Then the commando-dressed Norwegian boarding party comes alongside in the inflatable to take a closer look. (We don't really mind that we’re being boarded, because a couple of hours earlier, we were doing the same to them…..)
Whoever laughs will be shot. « Bum! », a sailor taunts him. Of course, there’s no ammunition in those machine guns.
Representation is also part of the military.
And for this, there is special dress. When the fleet sets sail or while receiving a Canadian head of state, the (apparently) relaxed Commander is dressed in his flawless formal uniform, complete with sword. After all those years that my wife packed ties for me to take along on trips, here is one occasion where I would have needed it! This is also part of the « other world » of the military.
So how was it?
I cannot help but feel that my words are inadequate; seemingly dry and lifeless compared to the reality of the experience. What can I say? It was the most exciting and interesting experience which I have ever had. I wouldn’t want to be a naval officer, with all the responsibilities and trouble. However, being an Officer’s « very special guest »on a large warship is certainly a thrill of a lifetime which will never come again. And so, I certainly have gained some respect for these sailors.
Three Cheers for the Canadian Navy!
Three Cheers for Commander Yves Bastien
and the Crew of HMCS Halifax!
Many Thanks to all of you!
- friedel weber - 