Total Eclipse: What a Difference an Airplane Makes

Rare celestial event won't be seen again in North America until 2044.

Monday, August 26, 2024 at 10:26 AM ET

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North America will not see another total eclipse until 2044, making the one that occurred on April 8 a special event for many. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

The author skillfully used their private plane to chase clear skies for the 2024 total solar eclipse, strategically flying to Jackman, Maine, to secure a prime viewing spot with 3.5 minutes of totality.
The eclipse proved to be a profoundly emotional and awe-inspiring experience, marked by unexpected visual phenomena such as the sudden onset of totality, a 360-degree sunset, and the brilliant "diamond ring" effect.
The article highlights aviation as the ideal tool for experiencing rare natural events like an eclipse, offering unparalleled flexibility to find optimal conditions and a sense of wonder that mirrored the celestial event itself.

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It was at 5,500 feet somewhere over Vermont when I received the text from my friends Paul and Marla. It was a photo of an overcast sky in Niagara Falls, New York. This was on the morning (April 8) of the last total eclipse North America will experience until 2044. They had declined a ride with me in my Bonanza because they booked a nonrefundable hotel room and wanted to road trip it with their dog.

A mistake as it turned out.

Ben Younger

Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.