Why we fly

I fly as much as I can. It’s something I do for pleasure, for transportation, and for work. So it may seem strange when I say even I can get caught up in all the things I have to do, and forget to enjoy the amazing experience that is flying.

That’s why, a few weeks back, I decided to take advantage of a good weather forecast to remind myself, and some of my team here at AOPA, why we fly. Actually, all I had to do was send an email. The airplanes took care of the rest.

I invited a few of my colleagues to fuel up their airplanes or reserve a rental aircraft and join me for a little after-work excursion to Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. They accepted and, in turn, filled their airplanes with their co-workers, including some student pilots, rusty pilots, and nonpilots.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky on this particular Thursday afternoon. The wind was gusty at 19 knots, but headed right down Runway 30 as we departed Frederick, Maryland, close to 5 p.m. A turn to the east took us over lush, green farm fields. From there, each pilot selected his or her own route. Depending on your path, you were treated to up-close views of Baltimore or overhead views of some beautiful countryside.

Our mix of airplanes included two Van’s RVs, a Cessna Skyhawk, a Skylane, and a Skywagon, and we could hear one another making position calls on the radio as we neared our destination.

Our paths began to converge as we crossed the Chesapeake Bay and headed for Kentmorr Airpark (3W3) in Stevensville, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Again, the winds were stiff, but almost right down Runway 29 as we landed one after another in the springy green grass. Being pilots, we couldn’t help judging those touchdowns, but there wasn’t a bad landing among them.

Kentmorr Airpark is one of our local gems. It’s a beautifully groomed 2,400-foot grass strip that ends right at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. One side of the runway is lined with hangar homes; it’s a great example of an early residential airpark. The other side boasts a barn and cow pasture.

The residents are welcoming, and a short walk down the road takes you to a beautiful marina and Kentmorr Restaurant, a family friendly waterfront spot specializing in crab, oysters, and all the other great foods Maryland fishermen pull out of our local waters.

I’ve lived in many parts of the country through the years, and they all have some wonderful airport gems—places with great restaurants, easy access to family fun, aviation history, or some other special charm.After a dinner filled with hangar talk, we meandered around the marina, enjoyed the views from the shore, and then headed back to our airplanes feeling satisfied and content. Within the hour we were all back at Frederick Municipal Airport, and our airplanes were bedded down for the night.

This is why we fly: camaraderie, adventures, fun. Flying opens new worlds and possibilities. If we were land-bound, we would never have considered going to Kent Island for dinner on a Thursday night. Under the best of circumstances, the drive takes close to two hours each way. Add some rush-hour traffic to that equation, and the drive-to-fun ratio drops even further.

Kentmorr Airpark is one of many fantastic little airports within an hour’s flight from AOPA’s Frederick headquarters. And that’s not unique. I’ve lived in many parts of the country through the years, and they all have some wonderful airport gems—places with great restaurants, easy access to family fun, aviation history, or some other special charm.

While flying season is here, I challenge you to find a local gem of your own. Talk to pilots and flight instructors at your airport. Ask your connections on Facebook and Twitter.

Then gather some friends, load up some airplanes, and go explore. You’re sure to find a spot you’ll want to visit again and again. And while you’re at it, take a moment to remember just how lucky we are to enjoy this amazing freedom to fly.

Email [email protected]