Pilot Proficiency

Examining Decades of Accumulated Aviation-Related Treasures

Monday, June 18, 2018 at 06:00 PM ET

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Come into Dick Karl's house. He has a lot of airplane stuff in here. Philippe Lechien

Key Takeaways:

The author expresses a deep sentimental attachment to a wide array of aviation memorabilia, from inexpensive pens and keychains to elaborate models and artwork, valuing their personal meaning over their material cost.
These treasured items serve as powerful reminders of specific flights, significant career milestones (like type ratings or check rides), and cherished relationships within the aviation community.
The author's home is filled with these personal artifacts, each triggering memories and reinforcing a lifelong passion for flying, emphasizing that these treasures take them "into the air, and back in time."

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“Hey, can you hand me a ballpoint pen?”

Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying. Dick’s monthly Gear Up celebrates the human side of flying. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them.