The following
string of articles share my story of how I gained an interest in aviation, learned to fly,
and eventually buy a vintage tailwheel airplane. A few months ago while browsing the aviation section of an old bookstore, I came across a work entitled Week-End Pilot, a book written by an ordinary Private Pilot. It’s rare to find the
in-depth story of just a typical pilot these days, so I’m thankful to have
found a saga as rich and experienced as that of Frank Kingston Smith. Mr. Smith
masterfully wrote three books about his journey from landlubber to lover of the
air and, along with many of his other works, his books have inspired me to
write these articles. Who knows? Maybe one day I will consolidate them into a
book but for now, I simply aim to tell the day-to-day story of owning my 1946
Luscombe 8A, N77903.
Among my favorite
of Mr. Smith’s witty works are:
Week-End
Pilot ISBN 978-0394710693
Flights
of Fancy ASIN B0007E0GEY
I’d
Rather Be Flying ASIN B0007E3XDA
The first article, From Boeing to Cessna, is a condensed story that begins with my first memory of a “real airplane:” the
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress specifically The
Collings Foundation’s 909. It travels through my extended road to Private
Pilot, my mad dash to CFI, and finally my first flight in a small tailwheel
airplane. I hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I did thinking back on fond
thoughts while putting them on paper.
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