Remember When You First Fell For Flight?
The little boy was probably four or five years old and he moved
with that side-to-side rocking gait -- the one that any
stressed-out young parent will tell you, only looks slow. Junior
rocketed across a street with Dad, Mom and siblings in a disarrayed
trail.
"This one, Daddy. THIS one!" and he beelined for a Cirrus. "I
like this one!"
It's hard to fault Junior's taste in planes; a couple of moments
of joking with his dad established that the kid was the big plane
fan in the family, even though Dad flies. "He probably got it from
me."
Advice to Junior: learn to be a doctor and then buy the
plane.
But watching the kid look at the sleek glass speedster with
absolute love in his eyes told us that wasn't going to happen. I
Gotta Fly Disease has claimed another victim, before the little guy
even made it to kindergarten. He's gonna be a pilot -- may God have
mercy on his soul.
The kids are one of the few undiluted joys to be found on the
airshow circuit. You might be tired, tender of foot and cranky of
mind, but seeing a kid light up for the first time is all the
refreshment you need.
Craig Muth, a US Dealer for Supermarine Aircraft of Brisbane,
Australia, can't resist a kid's query: "Mister, is this your
airplane? Can I sit in it?"
Now, remember, Muth has the only Spitfire Mk 26 in the USA, a
gorgeous 80% replica of the timeless British classic. And he's been
shooing away adults who want to sit in it, pretty much all day.
So of course, he says, "Sure thing, kid, climb aboard." True,
he's mighty particular about where the kid can step, and what he
might grab hold of (and what not). But the kid is equal to the
task. Under the proud and watchful eye of his parents, and the
guidance of Muth, the kid simulates a flight.
He's well behaved and inquisitive, a model student in every way,
and his brother is up next. Sitting in a real airplane! It doesn't
get much better than that.
Now a new kid shows up, and Muth hoists him, too, into the pilot
seat.
He didn't really set out to be a Disney attraction, but how can
he say no? He can sit in a Spitfire replica any time he likes.
These kids, on the other hand, might never get such a chance
again.
And it might just make the difference between having a lifelong
love of aviation, and not.
But kids, do yourselves and your posterity a favor: get that MD
degree, first. THEN learn to fly.
You'll be glad you did.