A recent flight into Sedona Airport (KSEZ) marked the end of an exceedingly long chapter in my life as a pilot. I felt a soothing , unexpected sense of closure as soon as the Cessna 182’s tires chirped against the asphalt, and I realize now that I might owe John King a thank-you note.
A little more than a decade ago , around the time I decided to resume flight training after a 25-year lapse, I was perusing instructional videos online, probably seeking confirmation that my decision made sense. I came across a clip from King Schools in which John is in his Mooney, talking about the payoffs of earning a pilot certificate. As he chats, he flies the traffic pattern at Sedona, lands, parks, and steps out onto the wing. The camera slowly pans to show the colorful ridges and cliffs that surround the field.
