Peake Performace Marketing
 DAVID'S COLUMN
 Helistop

Who is this woman?
Her Profile reads more like science fiction
with a touch of Alice in Wonderland

Rosie has me figured out pretty well. Those who know me, know that I like to spend more time listening than talking.

When Rosie’s introductory email turned up out of the blue, my first reaction was that ‘Sydney was a long way to go for a cuddle’ but she had such an interesting profile, almost unbelievable so I thought it worth while to find out more. Little did I realize that being a long way away was part of her plan.

 It was only six weeks later that an idea to revisit the West with a friend started to take shape. April 07 was a likely time slot to take advantage of the school holidays and minimise my time off work as a relief driver had to be found.


 By mid November 06, all plans were put on hold when a student pilot landed the aircraft heavily on it’s nose causing considerable damage to the fire wall, nose gear and propeller.
Uncertainty over aircraft availability meant that holiday leave was not booked and the trip planned for April 07 just did not happen.
Meanwhile, email correspondence continued with Rosie as we explored ideas and experiences and understood more about each others likes and pet peeves.

The best way to show everybody that the aircraft was not only flying again but in better condition than most (Even some of the newer models) was to take it on a long trip.


 
 

Not wanting to make the trip with an empty seat next to me, I considered asking Rosie to join me as we seemed to get along and her flying experience would take much of the stress out of the many hours of ‘straight and level flight’.
Her enthusiasm was encouraging and when she mentioned a detour Northwards, I realized that if we left one week earlier, we had a good chance of being on site for the twentieth anniversary of her son’s tragic disappearance.
This meant covering new ground for me. Planning revealed there is no bulk fuel in the triangle between Southern Cross, Geraldton and Northam. Yes, you can get drum fuel delivered anywhere but I was quoted nearly $500 for one drum to Carnamah.


As planning progressed, Rosie commented that ‘this would be the world’s longest blind date’.

Which attributes in a person make for a successful date and which ones don’t? I believe if you ask the right questions and get truthful answers, accurate impressions of compatibility can be derived.

What’s important to me is honesty and reliability along with tolerance and compassion. Any technical understanding is a bonus while having aviation experience was an unusual skill.

Lack of sincerity and a failure to understand your position in life just won’t work.
 
 

The fact that we have not met or spoken to each other before September 20th is of little relevance to how compatible we might be given that we will have been learning about each other for one year.

I suppose aviation is a relatively small group of people being very passionate about what they enjoy doing, so it was not surprising to keep discovering that the same people have crossed both our paths.

 There will be new experiences for both of us, not the least will be Rosie redeveloping her fixed wing skills.

David.

Now we are back, please read on.......
 
 


Post script to David's Column
How was She?
Perhaps more relevant to ask How were we?

You will appreciate that a trip like ours over such long distances (Three Time Zones) in just a few days is complex and demanded great attention to detail. In other words, 'A busy and stressful lead-up'. As pilots, we are trained and very practiced at focusing on the tasks to navigate our way safely through multiple airspace hazards, changeable weather and to deal with any operational issues that arise during the flights.

This left little time or emotion to explore any natural feelings that a man and woman might have or develop for each other, so the first three days of flight were strictly professional; two flight crew who had never worked with each other, thrown together to do a job. Our togetherness as a team gave us a chance to confirm what we already thought about each other from the previous year of constant emails.

By the second day our confidence had increased and combined with the old world charm of the Palace Hotel at Southern Cross, set the stage for further developments in the relationship.

By the third day we had achieved our mission goal when we flew reverently past the rugged Zuytdorp Cliffs.
Rosie had control while I took photographs and kept a wary eye on her emotional state. This was the most difficult part of the trip for her as twenty years of sadness and uncertainty about her son's disappearance culminated against the rugged and inhospitable nature of the majestic cliffs.

Once past the cliffs and a new course set for Denham, the atmosphere became a lot more relaxed. We had done the job; the Pilgrimage was complete.
She has already indicated in her post script that I am not romantic or tactile but at this stage I did detect a glow in her smile that signalled a change in the romantic weather leading our relationship to a new level. As a consequence there was a saving on future accommodation although in Mandurah we did splurge a little by upgrading our two rooms for the Pent House Apartment.

Some of my friends have commented that 'Rosie is a little bossy'. We still joke about this and it always brings a laugh at our public appearances.

During the trip, there were several frustrating delays with weather or searching for something lost in the luggage or left back in the motel but none of this evoked so much as a peep from Rosie who waited patiently while I worked through the tasks. Quite a change from what I have been conditioned to. Rosie is so different in many ways that I am continually surprised by her outlook and attitude. Together we feel a calmness and a comfort with each others' company that has been lacking on both sides in previous relationships. (Yes I can speak for Rosie's past too)

An interesting result from what started out as just Pen Pals on the RSVP dating site over a year ago. Our desire to continue email contact was based around our aviation activities and general life experiences given such differing backgrounds. Meanwhile, I had been dating several lovely Ladies from RSVP contacts who were all told of this 'Helicopter Lady' in Sydney. However, as the Longest Blind Date drew ever nearer, I started to set limits about other dating 'just in case'.

During our date, the friendship was given many opportunities in which to fail but it did not. Our four days together in Sydney at TV and Radio interviews, meeting family and friends also gave plenty of windows for failure but again it did not. Nor has our email and phone contact diminished during the subsequent time apart.

Our next challenge will be introducing Annie the Yorkie to Bear, Ruby, Lucky and Fluffy the cat.

Thanks for following our story so far. Much has yet to be published and who knows what the future holds.

Safe Flying.

 

Annie
12paws
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