For some time now I have suspected that many senior citizens are great learn-to-fly prospects.
Consider that many senior citizens have more spare time and more discretionary funds than at any time in their lives. They have seen the movie, The Bucket List, and are interested in fulfilling their own dreams. They were often successes in technical careers. They are long past their “bullet-proof” years, and quite often eager to learn. They want to do it right.
Case in point: Julian King is in his early 70s, retired, and a friend of mine from church and Kiwanis. Many moons ago he got his private certificate and accumulated about 200 hours in his logbook. Then life interfered—as it so often does—and he drifted away from flying.
Julian and I sit at a table together at Kiwanis, where we are joined by a truly topdrawer CFI, Col. Bill Pawley. During our conversations, Julian ever so casually asked Bill about the hoops he would have to jump through to get current as a pilot—a retread, some call it.
Like most senior citizens, Julian had a few “bumps” in his medical history. Nothing serious, but Julian wondered nervously if he could pass the flight physical. He really went to work to get the medical behind him, talking with the AOPA medical people, and sending info to the FAA.
Less than a week ago (as I write this), Julian called me and he sounded like a 16-year-old boy who has just been kissed by the prettiest girl in town. “Guess what I’ve got in my hand?” he bubbled. “What?” I asked. “My flight medical,” he said. “In my hand!”
Julian was delighted. He called that afternoon to schedule a lesson. His wife Carole said he also bought a sectional chart, adding, “He has been carrying that chart around ever since. I was scared he would take it to bed with him.”
Any CFI would love to have a student with Julian’s attitude. Get this—Pawley gave Julian the choice of lessons in a Cessna 152 and a (more expensive, of course) Cessna 172. Julian quickly chose the 172 because, he said, “I like it better.” Breathes there a CFI who wouldn’t rather teach in the 172? Many young students just aren’t really sure that they have the time and/or the funds for flight lessons. Julian is no Bill Gates, but he does know that he wants this, he can afford this, and he can do this.
I wonder how many people there are like Julian. Maybe we should market to them. Many people have always dreamed about learning to fly. Give them the chance to realize that dream.
Ask them if flying is on their bucket list.
Ralph Hood, an aviation speaker and writer, has been flying since 1971 and has more than 3,000 hours of flight time. He is a multiengine commercial pilot with an instrument rating. Visit his Web site.
Related Articles
