Something For the Accident Board to Ponder

Author: Miles Crowell

Columbus 82-08 spring 82.  I was in the contact phase and doing okay, so continuity wasn't much of a concern.  I flew with many different instructors and rarely twice.  I was slated to fly with an old, crusty Vietnam-era major who smelled of stale beer and cigarettes.  He seemed pretty laid back.  I was dutifully pre-flighting my helmet and mask, and I noticed on the other side of the island, he had neatly laid out a bandana.  In the bandana, he put what looked like a desiccated monkey paw, an eagle feather, a marble, laced panties, and some other tokens.  He carefully folded it up, zipped down his flight suit, and stuffed it in his underwear.  About that time, he caught me staring, winked, and said: “Something for the accident board to ponder”.  As far as I remember, the ride went well.  Never flew with him again, and I can’t remember his name