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From Terror to Triumph

Benjamin hangs out at Bryce Canyon Airport. Credit: Pia Bervquist
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author initially struggled to share her love of flying with her son, Benjamin, who developed an intense aversion to it despite an early fascination.
  • Benjamin's perspective gradually shifted as he experienced the significant time-saving and convenience benefits of flying compared to long car trips, particularly after a camping trip and a traffic jam incident.
  • A memorable multi-day flying adventure to Oshkosh, including visits to national parks, solidified Benjamin's appreciation for air travel and created profound, cherished memories for the mother and son.
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I have loved airplanes since I was a little girl. So when my son arrived, I was excited to share my passion with him. The early days seemed to indicate that he shared my fascination with flight. One of the very first sounds Benjamin uttered as a baby was a crowlike “cra-cra,” which he excitedly made, while pointing to the sky, any time he saw an airplane. As he grew older, Benjamin made funny noises as he swooped toy airplanes around in aerobatic flight patterns.

As a toddler, Benjamin was not one to throw a fit. He would never scream and roll on the floor at Target because I wouldn’t buy the toy he desired, as some kids do. He wouldn’t cry if I refused to buy the tub of ice cream he wanted at the grocery store. However, if I said we were going flying, all hell broke loose. “I hate flying! I don’t want to go flying!” he would scream as soon as I told him we were heading to the airport.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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