We Can

We’re all about light sport aviation here at Gateway Sport, so we tend to look at the world from a certain perspective. For instance, it’s Saturday, and I have a choice of a growing list of household chores, or going to the airport. I should do some chores, and there’s nothing I particularly have to do at the airport, but somehow the airport will win out. You see, I’ve been working hard all week, and it’s not that I’m aviation deprived; after all, my vocation is aviation. There’s just something about the airport, especially early Saturday morning, before the lessons start, and the pattern fills up. Just as the sun begins to break over the horizon, this is my favorite part of the day. There’s no noise, no one on the ramp, and the phones aren’t ringing, just peaceful anticipation of what the day has to offer. I probably won’t even fly today, but that’s not the point. The point is, we can. In my way of thinking, “we can”, is a profound statement. In this country, we have the privilege of owning, or renting an aircraft, and flying wherever, whenever we want. We have been blessed to live in a land of plenty, and having the resources to pursue our dreams and ambitions. Flying just seems to be one of those things that people dream about their entire life. Some have been fortunate enough to fulfill that dream early in life, and for others, the dream is still there, waiting to be realized. It’s easy to spot those of us afflicted with flight; we’re the ones that hearing an airplane fly overhead, have to sneak a peek to see what it is. We fidget at the television remote until we find a program, any program, which has airplanes on it. We concoct, all sorts of reasons to just drive by the airport, and the interesting thing is this behavior knows no generational or gender boundaries. Young and old, male and female alike share the dream, and that’s where I get back to light sport aviation. Aviation is expensive, no doubt about it. $6 avgas, and half-million dollar airplanes have taken a toll on aviation, and that’s a shame. However, current long lines for TSA screenings, cost for checked baggage, and higher prices for reduced airline schedules are once again making general aviation more attractive. I am convinced the Light Sport certificate, and aircraft classification, is one of the things the FAA did right. Believe me, after a career with the FAA there are plenty of things I think they did wrong, but this is one of the keepers. Light sport is allowing us “old timers” to keep living the dream longer than we could before. It’s making it more affordable for our kids, and grandkids to experience that thrill of their first solo flight. Light sport aviation, however, is also a valid and practical means of transportation. I am a very fortunate man on many different levels, but not too far down the list, is the fact that I get to share my love of flight. I get to give pilots who have been out of aviation for 10, 20, or more years, the opportunity to get back in the cockpit. I get to take that 15 year-old, (had to ride their bike to the airport kid) on their very first flight, and marvel as they took the controls to maneuver the craft as they desired. I am privileged to see the person who has had a full and prosperous life, finally embrace their dream, and take to the air. If you’re still with me, here’s the whole point. You have the same opportunity. Let’s get out to the airport; take a friend, or better yet, one of the neighborhood kids, and share our dreams, pass along our passion, just because “we can”.

I plan to make this column a regular feature of the web-page. Usually air traffic controllers aren’t this philosophical or reflective, but retired controllers get a little leeway, especially on rainy, windy Saturday mornings. I will be presenting mostly practical tips and sharing some of my plans or experiences to hopefully make your Light Sport Aviation a safer, more fulfilling experience. If you have questions or comments, or desire to talk with us about satisfying your dreams of flight, give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.