The year was 2004, and what began as an enjoyable stroll across a quiet ramp at a small rural airport had become somewhat heated. My friend Matt and I stopped by on a whim to check the place out. Neither of us was an airplane owner at the time, and we enjoyed daydreaming as we learned about all the various types of general aviation aircraft in the hopes of owning one someday.
We were met with example after example of depressing neglect. Over here, a Tri-Pacer with ratty fabric and visible rust on cylinders. Over there, a Luscombe with flat, cracked tires and yellowed windows. Next to the Luscombe, a Cherokee 140 covered in bird droppings and ravaged by harsh Michigan winters.
