Elf Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

ELF

I chose a new job as extent of the past
Then in air, now on land
That was when we flew our flights
Logistic, the LF, ELF, ULF
Asian, and Europe, USA
In short each looked like this:

Flight bag full of needs, to helmet
Preplanned the Flight, routes chosen
Even the SID, permissions all obtained

The start SID to Delta, went to high; THR
The used aids TACAN, and VOR; ADF a backup
As would be the sextant, and LORAN
No CB but still IFR though good for VFR
On the way, reported, would be CAT
Well briefed about height, whereabouts
Had it been cumulus Radar helped
Now, useless, except for getting FIX

Almanac in the rack for stars and the sun
To get the LOPs, as today’s GPS
One of them LOP of the ALT, take TA off PA

Books and maps up-to-date for landing
VHF, UHF radios, all channels; and HF, ILS
If we lacked VIP, just crew
The Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, loadmaster, crew chief
And of course the man of the engines, or F. E.
Each of us with check list
And informed of -1, with revise
The cautions and warnings
ATC to inform of planes on our route
To speak when job much used Hot-Mike,
But when at altitude, music on PA.
Alternates were airports, new to see.
Hadn’t been, right Runways.
Some airports are open from sunrise, to sunset
With headwind, GS or groundspeed is low, not Airspeed,
Such would add the chances, for new adventures.