That flying smile…
On my last flight a couple of weeks ago, I took a gentleman up for his first flight in a small airplane. His name was Ronnie Green, a friend of my cousin and frequent passenger Joey Hemming. Joey’s done a great job of recruiting folks to join us for flights and to introduce others to the fun and safety of general aviation. Ronnie became the latest member of my Rogue’s Gallery.
I think I’m fairly convinced that taking someone up on their first flight is at the top of my “favorite moments in the air” category.
I ran into Ronnie Green a few days ago and an instant grin appeared on his face when he saw me. That “flying grin” I’ve seen so many times. He commented on how much he enjoyed the flight.
Flying has an almost magical quality to it. Regardless of how advanced aviation has become these days, flying in a small, general aviation airplane reminds pilots and passengers alike that what they’re doing is extraordinary. They’re defying the gravity that has bound them to their home planet and navigating a vast sea of air. They’re seeing their familiar world from a whole new perspective with a front seat view that stretches for miles.
