Total Eclipse: What a Difference an Airplane Makes

Rare celestial event won't be seen again in North America until 2044.

Monday, August 26, 2024 at 10:26 AM ET

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North America will not see another total eclipse until 2044, making the one that occurred on April 8 a special event for many. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

The author leveraged the flexibility of private aviation and strategic planning to successfully chase clear skies and optimal totality for the 2024 solar eclipse, finding an uncrowded airport in Jackman, Maine.
The total solar eclipse was described as a profoundly emotional and awe-inspiring event, creating a lasting memory of wonder and a unique feeling of insignificance.
The entire experience, from planning to viewing and flying home, reinforced the author's deep appreciation for aviation as a tool that enhances the sense of magic and wonder in life.

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It was at 5,500 feet somewhere over Vermont when I received the text from my friends Paul and Marla. It was a photo of an overcast sky in Niagara Falls, New York. This was on the morning (April 8) of the last total eclipse North America will experience until 2044. They had declined a ride with me in my Bonanza because they booked a nonrefundable hotel room and wanted to road trip it with their dog.

A mistake as it turned out.

Ben Younger

Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.