Hence I grew up spending weekends hanging around little airports and little airplanes. There were two highlights of our early 70's winter trip to Florida, a first visit to Walt Disney World that had been open just a few months, and a tour of the Piper aircraft factory at Vero Beach. It was amazing watching airplanes being built on an assembly line. Sadly no photos were allowed inside.
My father's first plane ride, was in a Ford Tri-motor. His school class was on a outing, and the local airport was offering plane rides. He spent a month's spending money for 15 minutes in the air. When he told his mother about it, she cried.
In the archive I have a momento from his first airline flight. An American Airlines DC-3 from New York to Detroit, late in World War II. The flight crew filled out a short description of the flight, that was read by the cabin crew, and passed around. In his army uniform, he was given it to take home. I found it among his mementos after he died.
I miss flying in little airplanes. There is something elemental about a simple machine gaining speed, and lifting off the ground. It is magic, it is alchemy.
I'd like the be a passenger in a small plane (the smallest plane I've ever been in was 12 seats). But I'm happy leaving the flying to someone else.
ReplyDeleteA two seater is even more fun,
DeleteSmall planes are the lifeblood of the Canadian north.
ReplyDeleteYes. Alaska has a ton of small planes.
DeleteI have never flown in a small plane, but as I realize that getting older has made me feel somewhat claustrophobic in small places, perhaps I should stick to larger planes.
ReplyDeleteI should write about my J-3 cub experience.
DeleteMy dad had a similar fascination although he never flew a small plane. He would watch them take off and mutter to himself, about it being impossible in his mind.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my grandparents never flew. My father's mother didn't fly until she was in her late 60's early 70s.
DeleteYes it is alchemy. It is magic but I can never get my head around big planes rising into the air loaded with people and luggage and zipping across oceans or continents. We seem to take this for granted.
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand lift.
Deletecount me out
ReplyDeleteThe Beechcraft Bonanza was known as the V-tailed doctor killer when I was a teenager. Doctors loved them, into the trees and mountain sides.
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