Judy & Ray Johnson
Judy and Ray have been active in the Pulse Club since 2002 when they hosted the group's rally at the Fly/In Cruise/In at Marion, Indiana.
Below is the Pulse #347 with Ray Johnson's 1947 Aeronca Chief and his
1956 Ford F-100
Judy getting flight instruction from Chuck Furgason
Judy with her Pulse #347
Judy has given many rides in her Pulse
Judy with "The King"
Ray has interviewed many people at the National Pulse rallys over the years.
Below --- Ray Johnson with Inge Hart and the film crew
Ray with Jim Bede in 2009
In 2007, Inge with camera, records Ray as he interviews Pulse owners.
The professional videos are posted to youtube.
FlyIn CruiseIn Youtube Channel ..... Click Here
Ray and Judy provide a delicious lunch every year at the rally.
Just a few of the Lunch Crew at the Johnson's hanger. Thanks for the great meal!
You never know what you'll see at the Fly-In Cruise-In.
Below, Ray dreaming of someday returning to the good life down on the farm
Below, a rare picture of Ray on Judy's Pulse
Below, Steve Schmidt, Ray, Ed Butcher, Leo Doyle and Ken Weger in 2005
Ray was presented a 'Solid Gold' Pulse from Steve Shafer
at the 2004 National Rally.
Below in 2006, the club toured to Jim Richardson's "Summer Place" for lunch
Jim and Ray
PULSE Versus HORSE and MULE
by Judy Johnson
Saturday May 16, 2008
Ray and I were invited to a surprise 50th birthday party of a flying friend
of ours about a hour drive from Marion. Due to the poor flying weather we decided to drive the Pulse instead of taking the Aeronca Chief.
We were just 6 miles east of Sheridan, Indiana on Indiana State Road
#47. Ray was driving about 50 mph when all of sudden, the
car in front of us slammed on the brakes and we wondered why.
Then, we saw a herd of horses running at full speed across the road. There were 6 of them and one mule. The horses had gotten out earlier and the owner was attempting to round them up.
The car in front of us somehow managed to miss the herd and never stopped. The horses then seemed to the turn and run straight at us. At least one horse and the mule hit our Pulse.
Ray recalls that he actually locked up both wheels and skidded slightly to the right as he tried to maneuver between them. We were probably
down to 40 to 45 mph on impact. Ray saw a hoof including the nails on the shoe coming right towards his face. I believe the
roll bar deflected the animals leg before it hit him.
We later learned it was a Tennessee Walker, a large horse, who hit the Pulse in the front shattered the windshield and his hoof that came within 3" of
Ray's face. Another witness said that a mule also hit
the Pulse and flipped over the top of us.
The Pulse mechanically is better off than you would expect, the other hand, the body is in need of extensive work. One of the tail wings were taken
out and the turn signal lights were knocked off. We believe Ed Butcher would be pleased to know that even though this is a
compact car, it is safer than a motorcycle when something like this occurs and the rollbar did its job.
Son-in-law Brad came with his big truck and trailer and we
chained down the Pulse and delivered it to the body shop for repairs.
We're sad, but very thankful that we are alive, much less hurt!
The Lord certainly looked out for us today.
Love,
Judy
Thanks for the memories
And thanks to Mike Grindle who put this Pulse back together
Litestar Pulse Webpage