Flight begins at 40, or maybe 50

One of my secret wishes is that when Im 90 Ill have at least half the belly-fire of Howie Keefe. The man is 90 (or maybe 91 now) and still attacks the day like hes flying a P-51-something he did 'round the pylons of Reno many years back. Thats just one facet of a flying career that would keep your rapt attention over several beers.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article advocates for a "Flight begins at 40" initiative, proposed by veteran pilot Howie Keefe, aimed at attracting new pilots to General Aviation (GA).
This strategy targets professionals in their 40s and 50s who possess the financial means and a long-held desire to learn to fly, shifting focus from younger, aspiring airline pilots.
The program would involve peer-to-peer mentorship flights with volunteer pilots, designed to break down perceived barriers and introduce potential enthusiasts to the flying lifestyle through relatable experiences.

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One of my secret wishes is that when I’m 90 I’ll have at least half the belly-fire of Howie Keefe. The man is 90 (or maybe 91 now) and still attacks the day like he’s flying a P-51—something he did ’round the pylons of Reno many years back. That’s just one facet of a flying career that would keep your rapt attention over several beers.

Howie is also a businessman who’s made his dimes on seeing and seizing opportunities. He invented Air Charts, spiral-bound books of all the en route and sectional charts for the lower 48, with changes mailed to you as lists so your books were technically current for a year. While I can’t say Howie and I see eye-to-eye on what today’s market wants from a chart solution, I still get a kick out of our phone calls.