Cover Story
Stanford University and Golf Course stand out in the view of Palo Alto from the window of a Cessna 172.
California. Green said he enjoys the non-repetitive nature of his job, but that it’s not without its drawbacks. “It’s high stress, like people say,” he said. “But the stress doesn’t hit you until you get home.” Airplanes aren’t the only aircraft being directed in and out of Palo Alto. When a Stanford Life Flight helicopter approaches the airport Tuesday evening, refueler Mike Garcia has his truck waiting a safe distance from the landing area before the aircraft even touches down. “We know what they sound like,” said Garcia, who has worked for Rossi Aircraft, Inc. for six years. “They pretty much have priority over everybody else. We fuel them, they save lives.” After waiting for the blades to come to a complete stop, Garcia drives in closer and electrically grounds the helicopter to his truck before refueling the aircraft. Life Flight pilot Doug Evans, fresh off transporting a patient from Santa Rosa to Stanford, climbs out of the cockpit and exchanges pleasantries with Garcia. “They take care of us. They come out all hours of the day,” Evans said, referring to the 24-hour fuel service Rossi provides. Garcia said Airport Day reminds him that he works in a unique environment. “For me (the job) becomes repetitious,” he said. “But when people come out and see it they’re like ‘Oh, that’s cool,’ because they’re not around airplanes.” The airport, which is currently run by
Steve Blonstein, West Valley Flying Club general manager, flies over Palo Alto on Sept. 12. His passion to fly began as a practical way to commute from Grass Valley, Calif.
(continued on next page)
ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ-i«Ìi LiÀÊÓ£]ÊÓä£ÓÊU Page 23