I’ve been reading this magazine for two-thirds of my life, ever since I was an eager-eyed lad of 12. Back then, the arrival of Flying‘s newest issue was a highlight of my month. I’d read Len Morgan first, then Gordon Baxter, then Mac McClellan, Dick Collins and Peter Garrison, and then everything else. I had no clue about half the stuff I read, but at least it got me familiar with aviation lingo. I drooled over and plastered my bedroom with spreads of all sorts of airplanes: GA, corporate and transport, props and jets, vintage and new, and bleeding-edge prototypes. If it had wings, I loved it and couldn’t read enough about it. I still remember a lot of the covers, and some of my favorite stories — like the time Flying paired up with Car and Driver to race a Mooney MSE against a Ferrari 456GT across the wastes of West Texas. That one prompted a lot of angry mail from straight-laced law-and-order types, but I thought it was as cool as anything I’d ever read. Adolescence seemed so slow and dull, but by reading the words of the guys who got to do and fly it all, I put myself in their shoes for a few blissful hours and dreamt of living that life.
Taking Wing: Dreaming Versus Doing
Key Takeaways:
- The author shares his personal journey from an avid reader of *Flying* magazine to becoming a professional pilot and writer, illustrating how childhood dreams can lead to a fulfilling career.
- The article identifies two main types of aviation enthusiasts: "pilots" (doers) and "dreamers," emphasizing that many doers began as dreamers, fueling a continuous cycle of aspiration and achievement.
- It highlights that the crucial step to transform dreams into reality is making a concrete plan, which involves research, budgeting, breaking down tasks, and adjusting ambitions as needed.
- The author delivers an inspirational call to action, urging readers to stop deferring their long-held dreams, particularly in aviation, and to proactively plan their pursuit to avoid future regret.
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