Register

Gear Up: The Splendid End

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A professional pilot is completing his final commercial flight trip, marking his retirement after three years as a CJ3 captain for JetSuite.
  • He experiences a complex mix of emotions, including wistfulness for the flying and camaraderie, wonder at his unique career opportunity, and significant apprehension about an uncertain future without a planned next step.
  • The article details the mundane yet significant moments of his last multi-leg journey, culminating in a bittersweet departure from the cockpit and his colleagues.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Well, this is it. I’ve given notice. This three-day trip will be my last as a CJ3 captain for ­JetSuite. It has been a grand three years and a few days, but the nights away from home just got to be too many.

Dick Karl

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.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE