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Two Antique Men and One Antique Plane

** Jack Hubbert and Gary Yost with Hubbert's
Aeronca Super Chief**
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • 82-year-old retired airline captain, Jack, fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing a 1947 Aeronca Super Chief and embarking on an 1830-mile, 5-day cross-country flight from Wisconsin to Washington.
  • Accompanied by his 83-year-old friend Gary, who served as navigator despite minimal flying experience, the duo navigated the journey with the help of positive rituals, experiencing one amusing navigational error by landing at the wrong airport.
  • The successful completion of their adventure, despite the physical challenges of age and cramped quarters, was celebrated with an unexpected and heartwarming "Welcome Home" reception from friends and family at their destination.
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My name is Jack — I am 82 years old. My friend Gary is 83 years old, and my 1947 Aeronca Super Chief (N3900E) is 65 years old.

In 1960, I went to work for Alaska Airlines for 25 years. Before and during that time, I worked on a lot of different airplanes, and for the last 12 years I was co-pilot on the Boeing 727 one year and served as Captain for the next 11 years. Sadly, I had to leave Alaska Airlines due to a heart attack, which forced me to retire. Between 1985 and 2012, I flew very little — about two to three hours a year, mostly on floats.

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