Flight from Santa Catalina - 1994
By Paul Goforth, April 1995 (matt2867@erols.com)

                Fifty years young
                Norge' - Ole N7500A -
                Proves once again why
                The DC-3
                Is a revered workhorse
                Of the air industry

                Yahns, our captain and owner,
                Makes the final inspection
                While Real Estate Aviation Chapter families and
                guests  Settle in with full bellies
                Atop Catalina Island
                The dwarfed runway
                To be challenged by this
                Marvelous Flying Machine

                A thunderous roar
                From giant radials
                Signal the start of a
                Short field takeoff
                Brakes strain
                No longer able to hold back
                This Beauty from doing
                What she likes most
                Forward
                Louder
                Louder
                Then, lifting her tail in an instant
                Norge' says to Yahns
                "I'm ready!"

                In a catastrophic motion
                Yahns at the go/no go point
                With gentle hands
                No runway left beneath her wheels
                Norge' springs
                In an aerobatic heave
                Out over the ocean
                Majestically
                Leaving the crowd of doubters
                And well-wishers behind
                Quickly she glides
                Back to LA's glitter and concrete
                Gracing the tarmac
                Quietly leaving a
                Lifetime of memories
                Among the non-believers.

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