The building was a hulking blue, metal-sided affair, pockmarked by a nondescript door and a window air conditioner—but no window. It might have been difficult to reconcile the uninspiring appearance with the promise held within if not for a sign that declared: “Airplane rides, you fly the plane. Air-conditioned lounge and gift shop.”
That First Flight
Key Takeaways:
- A grandfather took his two grandsons, Clemens (15) and Graham (12), for introductory "you fly the plane" flights at Ocean Aviation, where they each piloted a leg of a journey in a Cessna 172.
- The author was impressed by the boys' "innate airmanship" and ability to control the aircraft, noting their prior experience with flight simulators seemed to translate well into real-world flying.
- The discovery flights successfully ignited a passion for aviation in the grandsons, culminating in logbook entries and a clear desire to continue flying despite the acknowledged financial barriers to flight training.
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