To be a Piper or to fly a Piper ?

[cessna152towser]

Woke up this morning with a burning craving to re-acquire a chanter, bagpipes, music books etc. Must have been something from my dreams or sub-conscience. I used to have a set of pipes which had been assembled by the chap who supplied my Cunningham kilt, which had a red corduroy cover over the sheepskin bag, which matched the red in the kilt. I could play about ten simple tunes, mostly minus the grace notes, and although I busked once or twice with individual members of the local pipe band to help raise funds for them, I never attained the standard to march in the band. Having dabbled with flying lessons since my teens, and being from an aviation family, I finally decided to go all out to complete the private pilot's licence when my father became terminally ill with cancer, so that I could tell him of my progress while he was still alive. The bagpipes got sold to help pay for all the flying I was doing at the time. It would be nice to take up the pipes again and get back to where I was before and maybe progress to a higher standard of playing but realistically I just don't have the time for the tuition and practice which would be needed. Ironic therefore that while I can no longer call myself a piper, the aeroplanes which I now fly are mostly built by Piper Aircraft Corporation.

[ccga3359]

With one or two less flying lessons a year could you not afford the pipes? Are your flying lessons to end or lessen soon. Point is if it's something you really want you've got to find a way.

[McClef]

Perhaps the ultimate achievement is playing pipes whilst piloting a Piper?

I came across a fun quote recently:

"A true gentleman is one who knows how to play the pipes but doesn't."

Clearly coined by someone who doesn't appreciate them!

But for those of us who do it would be pity if you didn't give them another try.