Death marks beginning of Summer in Southland

Barely into the three-day Holiday weekend and at least 3 people perished after a tour helicopter went down on Catalina Island this morning. Engine failure seems the most-likely culprit.

Got the call not long after getting airborne.














By noon, the SoCal approach controller we were communicating with while over the island told us that according to his supervisor, CNN was reporting that a 4th person aboard had perished.

There were 3 bright yellow tarps at the crash site, so that meant that one of the hospitalized had succumbed to their injuries.

By the time we landed @ 220pm, we still hadn't had confirmation from a second source.

Way to go...SMO !

Just read the news that a hotel in our own city of Santa Monica has made the list of "Top 10 dirtiest hotels in America".
Letterman aside, according to Trip Advisor the Pacific Sands motel backed-up just enough splooge to stain the carpet - and make it's dirty little mark at last on the list.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/dirtyhotels


THAT oughta help score some accolades at the next family gathering.
"Son, we hear the motel you own has won an award - we are so proud! Tell us the details..."

Like they say: You snooze...you lose!

Only just found out that AIRWOLF was up on eBay!

Of course, come to find out it was only a replica of the famed TV helicopter (personally, i liked Blue Thunder better), but hey - what a cool piece of memorabilia to have.




Now that the auction is over, wonder what the new owner is going to do with it?

Living in the backlot of Hollywood...

Noticed today that someone had posted some old photos of an episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" taken while filming at Whiteman Airport.

During that production, one of the episodes - circa 1968 - involved the character Aunt Bee deciding to get her airplane pilot license.

According to IMDB, the episode originally aired in February of 1968, so the actual production was probably filmed in January.



These were posted on the bulletin board in the pilots lounge. Unfortunately, the original photographer declined to identify him/herself.
(my apologies in advance of posting someone elses' photos. If you'd care to identify yourself, i'd be happy to give photo credit where-credit-is-due).

Clearly shows the mountains north of runway 30, and the power station "four stacks" to the east of the airport.

What's interesting to note is the lack of development along San Fernando Rd., adjacent to the airport, the visible smog in 1968 in the background and the lack of an asphalt runway.

"Ya gotta face for radio, kid..."

I've been saying for years that i have a face for radio.

More proof of that came just a few minutes ago when i was talking via computer to my wifes' family in the Philippines.

i noticed the 'video cam' link on the side of the IM module. Being the curious type, i clicked on it.

Voila! a medium-sized square popped-up and my face - awash in computer monitor dull bluish-white appeared in it.

Silence came through the speakers for a couple of moments. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked - seemingly in pain.

About two minutes later, we lost the connection.

Come to find out about ten minutes later, they had a power-outage in the Philippines at that exact moment.



Apparently a sign from above that i'm NOT destined to replace Ryan Seacrest - or anyone ELSE for that matter - on television any time soon!

TGIFILA !

Busy day today:

First off, noticed that a lot of heavy traffic was still having trouble coming off the 101 portion of the Hollywood Fwy just after noon.

Turns out, Sean "P-Diddy" (or whatever his nickname is this month) Combs was having the honor of getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
(or as many of us locals call it "the Boulevard of Broken Dreams" ).













As such, Hollywood Blvd. had been closed west of Highland Av. for the event, causing southbound Highland to backup to the 101 Fwy.

= = = =

After that, someone reported seeing a mountain lion in the hills just east of the Eagle Rock Mall.
After a couple of hours of searching, they found a golden retreiver wandering around a hillside.
An hour later they finally realized all the police and TV helicopters had scared the real "mountain lion" away hours ago.

= = = =

Later still, a brushfire broke out in the hills of Elysian Park, just north of Dodger Stadium.














About a dozen firetrucks and 3 water-dropping helicopters saved the day in about 90 minutes.

Thank God it's Friday in Los Angeles!