From Seattle...
Well, I'm finally here. I've actually been here for coming up on three weeks, but I've been rather delinquent in posting on here, so this is my first post from my new location. I'm working for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Everett, WA (the widebody factory), as an intern in the 787 Hydraulics Test group. Here's some random thoughts and pics from my experience so far:1) I've decided I want to end up working in commercial flight test (which, I found out earlier today, is definitely doable, even though I won't have any experience as a professional pilot).
2) Somebody really needs to make two specific models: a 1/72 747 (injection molded, not vacuform), and a 1/72 P-8A (737-800). Done properly, these could be two of the most badass models ever made.
3) Speaking of models, Skyway model shop is probably the best hobby store in the world.
4) Unfortunately, due to a rather unforseen sequence of events, I won't be getting my pilot's license this summer. Instead, I'm going to slowly do it over the course of the school year. I've decided this isn't so bad for two reasons. First, i'd rather not have to be forced into learning on somebody else's schedule, and have to drive down to Renton every day that I take a lesson (it adds an hour to my commute). Second, half the reason that I'm interested in aviation in the first place is for the cool equipment, and learning back in Boston means I'll be training on a Diamond Aircraft DA-20 Katana, definitely one of the most badass two seater piston singles ever made.
5) When people were talking about "good weather" during the summer out here, I think they were just referring to it not raining, rather than actually being sunny.
6) They come runnin' just as fast as they can, 'cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man! <face-melting-guitar-solo>...</face-melting-guitar-solo>
7) Pics to come soon, but pictures.mit.edu is down (crystal-gravy sucks), and all of my recent photos are in .crw (raw) format, and I haven't had time to edit them. I'll pos some here (especially from the Mt. Rainier trip), but my hope is to set up my desktop computer with my own picture server once I get back to Boston at the end of August, at which point I'll be able to upload everything I've ever taken (as opposed to the relatively limited collection I've got on pictures.mit.edu).
8) Things in Iran seemingly have gone from bad, to worse, to just plain strange. I mean, come on, "elastic loaves"?!
9) I've recently gone on a modelling binge. I'm currently working on three (1/72 707, Dash 8, and Twin Otter, aka "Twotter"), and I've got a fourth (1/48 S-3A Viking) on the way (got it dirt cheap on eBay (brand new, $13.00, shipping included).
10) In short order (once the aforementioned 707 is complete), I'll have the most badass desk model of anybody at Boeing (save, maybe, the people that have ones of the YF-23 or A-12, if they're around from the McDonnell Douglas days).
11) Can't think of anything else, so I'll head to bed.
posted by Fred Gay @ 20:11
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