I wrapped up a crane job last week setting trusses on a house in a nearby rural area, due to bad weather and a inexperienced crew (them, not me) it took two trips. As I was backing out a guy ran up, who turned out to be the new homeowner, and he asked me if I wanted to be paid? I had expected to just bill the contractor as usual, but thinking quickly, I responded with "sure." He went on to say that if I wanted to come back in a couple hours, he would have cash, or he could give me a check now. Thinking quickly again, I quickly responded with "I'll come back."

He was obviously a rancher, a cowboy, judging by his nearby saddled up horse (my first clue), his footwear, and his hat. His 8 year old son was a smaller version, a minature cowboy. I pointed out to the cowboy my cartoon rendering of my plane on the rear window of the crane, and told him I'd fly back in a couple hours......and all he said was OK. After driving the big rig back to town and parking it in the crane shed I jumped in the Prius and drove home, as usual, 5 MPG versus 60 MPG, but the Prius can't pick shit. Late afternoon now, once back home the unsettled day had cleared into a nice evening, so I took off and made the 20 minute flight (over an hours drive) back to his area, texting him that I was on my way and would eyeball the surrounding area to see if I could find a place to set down. He responded with "I need you to sign a release of liability and send it to my insurance company and personal lawyer first." Not really , he just sent "hayfield to the south." A quick aside...how cool is it to be able to text while flying, I've gone from no radio at all to first years to texting and sending pics while in flight, pretty handy.

Sure enough, a couple hundred yards from the new house, was a cut hay field with the usual pivot lines, it was easy enough to avoid the sprinkler lines and the ruts the drive wheels made and the landing was a piece of cake. A crew cab pickup drove up, and the first thing the rancher said was "I thought you were kidding." I told him "I never kid," and then said, "I'm kidding." HIs father was with him, another cowboy, who had some kind of previous flying background, as a passenger in many small planes anyway, and we all agreed the plane was great, the field was great, I was great, the new house was great, and could the littlest cowboy sit in the plane? As soon as he was lifted in and started making airplane noises, his cowgirl big sister decided it was her turn, and promptly ejected the little guy before his time was up and took his place. Her grandfather, father and me looked on while she did this, powerless. I have 2 older sisters so know how these things work. As I started to get in and blast off, thanking him for the use of what turned out to be his field, he mentioned I hadn't been paid yet, a minor detail, so we took care of that, and then after I lifted off I took a few pics of his operation and texted them to him, just another day at work.

Just like this, I always look for the opportunity to do the same...

Cool story, I think it is the first time I've seen a pic of your plane. Very nice. Pretty spectacular setting too.

I need to figure out a job, so I can get paid, then figure out a way to fly and pick up my pay.

I read that title with one letter different and it made the story quite confusing.

Sometimes you get lucky

To COOL

My smile meter pegged for the day!

Farmers and ranchers never short you and often pay with cash. Good story.

I love reading your stories!!!!!

Great story. A better ending would be: a few days later, when the weather was suitable and sufficient daylight available, and with the parents prior permission, I returned to take each of the kids for a 20 minute Young Eagles Flight. A photo with each of the kids receiving their EAA Young Eagles certificate could accompany the post. It’s not too late.