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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 passion for flying with her son, Benjamin, who developed an extreme aversion to it despite early childhood fascination.
  • Benjamin gradually overcame his dislike for flying after experiencing its time-saving benefits and being bribed with trips to desirable destinations like Catalina Island.
  • A memorable multi-day flying adventure to Oshkosh for AirVenture, including stops at iconic sites like Bryce Canyon and Mount Rushmore, significantly deepened Benjamin's appreciation for the unique experiences general aviation offers.
  • While Benjamin hasn't fully embraced his mother's deep love for flying, they have created many valuable shared memories and he now recognizes the practical advantages and unique journeys flying provides.
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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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