Ex-President Views His Relm

Last year’s President of the Third Laguna Hills Mutual housing association, George Portlock, risked life and limb, Saturday, October 16, 2004, by flying with Roger in a Robinson R22 helicopter. We departed from Rotors Aviation at the Long Beach airport at Noon for an hour flight. We took the usual “Tourist Tour” down the beach to Laguna, then over to Leisure World to check out all the property. There is nothing like a thousand foot perch to see what it looks like. (NOTE TO FAA: Actually a 1,396' perch. LOL)

On the way back to Long Beach, while flying past John Wayne airport, George related to me an event in his life that I really had to take notice of: It seems when George was a teenager, he was interested in aviation and wanted to be a pilot. At that time a friend of his had a bi-wing Stearman airplane. The Stearman is like the airplane the "Red Baron" flew: Open cockpit, with tandem seating, one behind the other. Shortly after take-off, his friend, the pilot, told him he was going to do a roll. George asked him if he would fall out and the reply was, "Not if you keep your seat-belt fastened." The roll was made and while upside down, George, the teenager, UNBUCKLED his seat belt and guess what ... He fell out. After a successful parachute deployment and a less-than-perfect-landing in a tree, young George was greeted by many in his family - NOT as a hero, but ... well, you guess! His piloting career was summarily ended that day. What a guy, George! That story will get you a free beer at any Fighter Pilot's hangout in the world!




Not only are you a great President, but one heck of a guy. That was very gutsy … or was it something else? You’re my Hero!