For a supposed airline pilot and aviation writer, I’ve spent a scandalous amount of time at sea level over the past year. In late October, my wife, Dawn, and I cast off the lines from our summer dock in the Chesapeake and pointed our 42-foot sailboat, Windbird, southward to the Caribbean. From the eye-popping waterscapes of the Bahamas to the lush jungle of the Dominican Republic to the glittering, serrated archipelago of the Virgin Islands, it’s been the adventure of a lifetime.
A Sailor-pilot Ruminates on His Twin Passions
Key Takeaways:
- The author, an airline pilot, chronicles his recent sailing adventures, noting a strong correlation between pilots and sailors, suggesting they share a romantic yet practical personality type.
- He highlights numerous technical and practical similarities between flying and sailing, including aerodynamic principles (sails as wings, keels as wings), navigation, weather interpretation, and maintenance.
- Both pursuits offer profound aesthetic and philosophical satisfaction, providing freedom, adventure, and the deep pleasure of mastering challenging environments, ultimately shaping a fulfilling lifestyle.
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