The Flight Safety gang after, "the party"

2. Aircraft acceptance and registration. We decided to change our certification from commercial to private category. We were avoiding the voice recorder requirement for commercial category. I had to deal with this in between classes and between Thailand and America. Cessna wanted to throw a party for Supap and we had to schedule everything around this while taking into consideration dates for departure and landing permits from the different countries. We had to accept the aircraft before the RVSM can be certified. The ferry flight needed RVSM certification for sure. Timing was a critical factor. Otherwise, we will have to wait and stand by for another week (not sure if I can survive more steaks and hamburgers!!).

We had to go thru all the guarantee papers and airframe/engine insurance programs. We had to work on getting all our manuals, books, and loose items shipped to Thailand since we were already overweight with all the feasting, wine drinking and Supap's never ending shopping.

3. Stuff to order for the plane. We needed stuff for the plane like life rafts, emergency medical kits, Travel Johns, window covers, APU, etc., all to be shipped either to where we were or to Thailand.

4. Make the actual flight plan back home and work on landing permits, clearances, and hotel reservations. It was tough since we did not have a definite date for departure until we had our RVSM certification. All hotels want guaranteed reservations and will bill our credit cards even if we did not show up. With hotel prices these days, that could easily be two thousand bucks if we were a day late.

5. On the side, I was trying to make an episode out of this trip for our Asian Air Safari TV show and working on the episode that would show that week as well. I received emails of the videos that would show for that week and gave my critique on the work our editors and writers were doing in between classes and socializing dinners.

Anyway, we were so tired of just having Kansas steak and regular American freshwater fish for Supap's new target diet. We were eager to get out and to head to New York, our planned first overnight stop. The Mustang has a very short range and normally, we like to plan for a maximum of 850-nautical mile legs to avoid stress and tension. A refueling stop in Lexington, Kentucky and a hearty lunch will be justified. I always like horses so this is a good excuse for me to see the popular Kentucky bred horses. Had lunch at the fancy Malone’s restaurant downtown and they had "shashimi". Whoa, did we miss Oriental food! Even our waiter is half Japanese but doesn’t even know a single word of Nipponggo nor the difference between Shushi and Sashimi. After a few stopovers in the nice horse farms for some video, we were off to Teterboro, New Jersey. This was the best place to land and leave the plane safely. Plus, it is just like a bridge crossing to New York.

We were so excited to be in New York. Of course our first destination was Little Italy for good authentic Italian food. It was a bit nostalgic for Supap and myself to be back after a long time. He enjoyed visiting NY when he was a university student in Florida. He takes pleasure in taking photos just to capture how much things have changed. I, on the other hand, used to have a small buying office in downtown Manhattan in the mid 80s.

The Marriott on Lexington gave me a room with a view. As I look out, I can’t help but reminisce. This place truly reminds me of long gone days of my youth, when I was still struggling to be on my own. I remember the times when I used to stay at a friend's apartment trying hard to save money during my visits… times when I used to hang out with my former schoolmates (Jun D, Ubert C, Roel R, Nonoy P. Bembot B, Mon R, Peng O. and many more) who were considered ‘Native New Yorkers’. We’d go out at night at Roel’s bar and have fun until the wee hours. I also recall enjoying having hot dogs with my kiddos when they were really young kids down by Rockefeller Center… Gee, so much has changed since then. It makes me realize how time flies and how much my outlook in life has changed too. Must be ‘age’ but I see life differently now.

Supap and I visited the usual places, enjoyed the restaurants and the nice long walks. Hey, 42nd Street has changed so much from the last time I was there. It was fun just watching the neon lights’ glitz and glitter. Times Square is interesting as always – what with-different kinds of ‘characters’ wondering around trying to make a quick buck from tourists. I also had a chance to meet up with Bing Medel, a classmate in high school. It was fun remembering the ’good old days’ and getting to know new interests and activities that we do now.