Author's Note: This is the first situational piece regarding my character Simon frim the Spring 2019 semester, which was writing about a death in the family for that character, and how they would deal with the news of the loss.
Mortality is a Sad Reality
“Potomac Approach, good morning. November Two Eight Four November Oscar is with you at 8, 000 for Manassas.” First Officer Robbie Saunders called out over the radio to the air traffic controller based at Leesburg Executive Airport. The hum of the engines was heard softly in the background as they passed over the agricultural landscape of Warren County, Virginia below, speeding along like a bullet which has just been fired out of a gun.
“November Two Eight Four November Oscar, radar identified. Descend and maintain 6, 000. Expect the visual, runway Three Four Right. Report field in sight,” the voice of the air traffic controller at Potomac Approach called out over the radio.
“Descend and maintain 6, 000, and expect the visual. We will report the field in sight. November Oscar,” the First Officer replied, cutting down on the callsign length as initial contact had been made at this point with the controller.
“November Oscar, read back correct. Confirm you have ATIS information Echo.”
ATIS, or Automatic Terminal Information Service, is a feature at controlled airports where pilots can get the current weather and traffic advisories for that airport, such as birds in the area, the wind conditions, or what runways are in use at that time. Normally updated once every hour, they sometimes can issue an urgent updated ATIS known as a “Special ATIS” if conditions drastically change at the airport within that one hour period, such as adverse weather conditions or a runway closure. Each ATIS is given an individual letter from the alphabet to identify its validity, and helps to ensure that the latest information is available to pilots.
Airports and airfields without a tower, known as ‘Uncontrolled Fields’, have a similar weather reporting feature known as AWOS, or Automated Weather Observation Service, which relays the current weather conditions. Pilots then use their own discretion to decide which runway to use if at all, sometimes deciding to go elsewhere instead.
“Affirmative for November Oscar.”
With that, the radio calls could go silent for a few moments. As Robbie reviewed the approach plate for Manassas Airport’s runway 34R, Captain Simon Ernest was at the controls.
“Descending to 6, 000,” Simon called out as he turned the altitude dial located on the window sill until it read 6, 000. As he did so, he also reached down to the island between their seats, with his seat to the left, and Robbie’s seat to the right. He took hold of the thrust levers for each of the three engines, and drew them back slightly to prevent the engines revving up during descent. There was a noticeable decrease in the hum of the engines outside as the elevators tilted the nose of the airplane downwards ever so slightly. The altimeters on either side reflected that the aircraft was beginning its descent from 8000 feet to 6, 000, averaging 300 feet per minute.
“Approach briefing” Simon called out as they continued to descend, the sun beginning to rise off to the east.
“Certainly Captain. Expecting the visual approach for runway Three Four Right at Manassas. ATIS reports clear skies and 10 miles visibility. Normal approach pattern. Aircraft to vacate runway as soon as able. In the event of an emergency, during initial stage, we will confer and initiate checks, advising ATC should assistance be necessary. The Captain will be the landing pilot for this leg. Should an emergency arise during final approach, I will call out the emergency and we will decide whether to commit or miss the approach to correct. We should also-”
He was interrupted by a sudden repetitive beep from the aircraft, with the aircraft communications addressing and reporting system, or ACARS, light coming on. “Oh goodie. Whatever could she want now?” Robbie asked as he hit the answer call button. ‘She’ was their boss, Helen Lock.
“Good morning. This is Titanic Air.” Simon said with a sarcastic cheer in his voice. He and Robbie both knew who it was, and whenever she called out of the blue via the aircraft ACARS system, it was to tell them that as their boss, Helen had done something to cause them even more grief. Typically telling them that the scheduled break that they had scheduled and even written down, was now called off because she’d acquired another client who wanted to go somewhere on short notice.
“Good morning.” Helen replied in a somewhat depressed voice.
“Is everything alright, Helen?” Robbie asked, noting that Helen wasn’t seeming herself right now.
“No, I’m not. Now listen. Simon, are you sitting down?”
“The fact that I’m currently at the controls of your aircraft would suggest so, yes. I always find it difficult to fly a plane while standing upright, or even when doing a handstand.”
“Good. Anyway, I just received a call from Charlotte.” Helen’s vocal tone had turned serious at that moment.
“What’s happened?!” Simon asked with a grave sound of concern in his voice, now beginning to get worried. Charlotte didn’t normally call unless something serious had happened.
“It’s about your Father. Your Mother called Charlotte and let her know that he died during the night in his sleep apparently.” There was a brief pause, as a sense of dread and dismay filled the cockpit. “I’m sorry Simon for your loss. I’ve arranged a flight over to Leeds for you and the family via Dublin which leaves this evening out of Dulles on Aer Lingus. Charlotte and the girls are at home packing right now.”
Helen then turned her attention to Robbie. “Robbie, would you mind doing all of the shut down procedures and checks after landing and parking the plane? I want Simon to be able to get over to his house as quickly as he can.”
“Sure, that’s no problem.” Robbie wasn’t sure of what to say as he was surprised and disheartened for Simon.
“Very well. I’ll see you both on the ground shortly.”
With that, the ACARS gave a double beep, signalling that the call had ended. Silence then entered the cockpit.
Simon felt numb. He was certainly upset, but the grief hadn’t quite hit him yet. He took a long, deep sigh, unsure of how to exactly process all of this.
“I’ll take control” Robbie said. This wasn’t just because he felt bad for Simon, but given the emotional strike which Simon had just experienced, Robbie felt that it would be in everyone’s best interests for Simon to not be at the controls at this moment in time in case those emotions distract him.
“Thanks. You have control.” Simon then felt his hands come up to his face and wipe in an upward sweep towards his hair from his cheeks. He just didn’t know how to react, or what he should be thinking or feeling at that moment.
As the aircraft continued its approach towards Manassas, things went swimmingly, or at least as swimmingly as they could considering the circumstances surrounding the whole event.
Upon landing, Robbie taxied the plane towards the hangar. There were no passengers on board from this flight, as the outbound flight to San Francisco had been their passenger laden flight, the result of some major corporate executives who didn’t like the idea of their return flight home having been cancelled by their previously booked airline with no available seats for three whole days. Because of crew legality, they had spent a day in the Bay area just relaxing and doing some sightseeing.
Once the engines had been shut down and the marshal had signaled that the wheels had been chocked, Simon undid his seatbelt harness and hit the reverse button on his seat, allowing the electric motor to move the chair back so that he could get up. He grabbed his two cases and gave a nod of understanding to Robbie. Craig was in the back still napping, and Simon didn’t want to disturb him as he exited the jet aircraft.
As he opened the door and lowered it to step down, Helen was waiting there. “Take your time. And remember that you need to be there for your family right now.” she said with genuine care.
“Thanks.” Simon was still unsure of how to take it all in. But for now, he felt that he needed to get home and be with his wife and daughters. He made his way over to the Jet Center lobby, and then out into the parking lot where his trusty SUV sat waiting for him. It would be a somber drive back home.
Upon arriving home, Simon pulled into the driveway and parked the SUV. Turning the engine off, there was a brief pause once again as he felt himself release a slow, methodical sigh. He still felt completely numb throughout, and in his mind, he questioned just how he was meant to react, or even feel. It felt unreal to him that this had happened. Sure, as a mortal human being, he was well aware that death was a perfectly natural outcome, and came to everyone, and Simon felt fortunate that he had as long with his Dad as he was able to. Not everyone gets so much time with a parent, as a memory from elementary school reminded him with a fellow classmate having lost her own Dad during the school year. And she had only been 8 at the time.
He remained sitting in his car for nearly 15 minutes, just lost in thought while trying to gather those thoughts and emotions. Indeed, he was brought back to reality when his younger daughter Ashleigh came outside and knocked upon the window of his door.
“Dad, are you okay?” she asked, somewhat muffled by the closed window and door.
He could hear the sadness and grief in her own voice as she asked him that question. Both of his daughter had enjoyed hearing stories of a steam train named ‘Little Willie’ in which he would spend the day crafting a tale about the little steam engine, tying moral lessons into the tale.
Opening the door, Simon reached down to undo his seatbelt while taking a deep breath.
“Well, I won’t sugar coat it. I just don’t honestly feel anything apart from numbness at the moment.” He rested his left hand on her shoulder. “How about you?”
“I miss him already,” she replied. A true statement even for Simon.
He reached over and gave her a hug.
“I know. I do too.”
Waffle King Richard · Fri Jun 07, 2019 @ 05:42pm · 0 Comments |