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That bang was a backfire and a fuel fire
resulted from it. Although the damage was minor, it stopped
their trip from Florida to California in the rental plane. That
kind of problem can happen to anyone. This is the time of year
to take a little extra time to cover all the bases.
I have often wondered why at least 50
percent of the runways in Arkansas are east and west runways..
The wind direction in the state is predominately from the
south. Most especially, the wind blows from the south during
the spring, summer, and early fall. During late fall and winter
the wind will be most likely from the west and north after the
fronts move through. In western Arkansas, where many of the
runways are east and west, the south wind blows nicely from the
gulf. That is the reason for the moisture and low visibilities
during most of the summer. If we know of the predominately
southerly winds, why are the runways east and west. I wondered
if the early aviators perhaps didn’t take the time to hold their
wet finger to the sky.
As I began to research this, I discovered
that the early American Indians gave Arkansas its name. In all
the years, I had never known what the word Arkansas meant. To
my amazement I learned that the word Arkansas in the Native
American language means “South Wind”. Well, go figure!!!! Even
the early Indians knew from which way the wind blew. I suppose
our forefathers forgot to ask the Indians what the word Arkansas
meant. Guess they were too busy fighting them. When it came
time for those Indian fighters grandsons to building runways the
east to west runway must have looked pretty good.
Thanks for allowing us to share a part of
your life this year. Our wish is for 2002 to be your best year
ever. |
