Apart from my first solo flight, the best thing that has ever happened to me in aviation was seeing my husband become a pilot. (We’ve been married 10 years, so I guess it’s about time!)
When I started my journey in aviation almost 16 years ago, I did not realize it was going to turn into a whole lifestyle. I caught the bug after a single flight. Was there a little bit of drive to prove the doubters wrong? Possibly. But those who caught the bug know the drive comes from you and not those around you.
Last year, my husband, Patrick, drove two hours to a flight school for each lesson. In flying, you have to want it bad enough to put in the effort. I was so proud of him when he passed his check ride.
The phrase “a family that flies together, stays together” couldn’t be more accurate. I got to cheer my husband on as he earned his wings. Then we flew together for the first time with him as PIC, appropriately, on December 17, the anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight. We have traveled to Kill Devil Hill, in North Carolina, and many other aviation landmarks as a couple.
Soon, our newest furry family member will take to the skies too. My black goldendoodle service dog, Chewie, (the best copilot in the galaxy) hasn’t flown in a small airplane yet. It isn’t very practical or safe with just the two seats in the Ercoupe.
Family, though, isn’t just about relatives. I also refer to the aviation family. I didn’t know that going to EAA AirVenture every year would become a family reunion. Aviation brings people together in profound ways. I am always amazed when the immense aviation family comes together.
I remember my first international trip as a newly certificated pilot. Suddenly, I was a low-time Ercoupe pilot jumping through government hoops to allow me to fly over Athens, Greece. Luckily, I didn’t have to find a way to fly an Ercoupe across the Atlantic. We found a pilot and an Ercoupe already in Greece.
We realized the short planning time wasn’t enough to get an exemption to fly solo as a U.S. light sport airplane pilot in Greece. We could have just thrown our hands up and given up on the flight. After all, I was there for a speech; the flying was just icing on the cake.
The Ercoupe owner and I decided to fly together. He would be PIC. This was one of the first times that I witnessed aviators coming out of the woodwork at an event or gathering to help share their love of the skies.
There are a few ways I try to give back. This summer, I look forward to cheering on the new Able Flight graduates when they get their wings. I hope to meet the Wright Flight students here in Tucson when they finish their course. And assuming another business jet doesn’t try to flip my Ercoupe over, my foundation and I will plan airport days for children with disabilities in the fall.
The homebuilt community is also part of the aviation family—and I’m looking forward to meeting more of them. The empennage of “The Impossible Airplane” arrives at the end of this month. The Impossible Airplane will be a Van’s Aircraft RV-10 modified to be flown with just feet in the left seat. The whole goal is to add another way to inspire more people.
If all goes according to plan, many will be inspired to take up aviation. But I’m not a CFI. I’m not a DME either. And I don’t work for ATC. I’ll be relying on you, dear reader, to help.
The aviation family is one of those things that makes flying so unique. Let’s keep it going! When you hear that someone wants to learn to fly, don’t shoot them down with the price tag—offer to help them find a scholarship. Don’t let another year go by without flying a Young Eagle. Who needs help with the fly-in a few airports away?
A family that flies together, stays together. Let’s make sure we never stop flying together as a community, as people with a common interest, and as a family.
I thank you for being that family for me.
