Letters

That was just a wonderful article. At age 84 I have been a member of the United Flying Octogenarians for awhile. I did not mark my entry into this special status on my birthday, but found out about it later, applied, and have been attending UFO events when they are nearby. I fly regularly and will continue to do so as long as those around me continue to affirm my skills. I agree with everything you said—except that I believe God flies an Ercoupe.

Bill McElwee
AOPA 929940
Cherry Hill, New Jersey

I really enjoyed Richard McSpadden’s article describing his dad still flying at 80 years old. I recently turned 75 and am still flying. His article brought back fond memories of my flying carrier.

My dad took up flying after the Second World War. Once he got his license, he would take me with him in the Champ, Taylorcraft, PT–19, Luscombe, and Stinson. What a hoot. We would go up and chase DC–3s and wave at the passengers and them at us. Can’t do that anymore. Seems like once that avgas gets into your system, it is hard to get rid of it.

December 23, 1980 (I call it my Christmas present to me), I was granted my private license. Been flying ever since. The following spring, my dad came from Ohio to our home in Texas to visit. I had the chance to return the favor and take Dad flying. He had not had the controls of an airplane in over 20 years. Once I got it up and leveled off, I put my hands on the dash and said, “You have the airplane.” He was grinning from ear to ear. Our daughter at age 5 was with us. I have that photo on my home office wall.

Three other photos I have are of our now-adult son and me on my sixty-fifth, seventieth, and seventy-fifth birthdays, flying together. 

I have had so many great memories during my purely recreational flying, nowhere near the hours his dad has built over his years of flying, but great memories just the same. My goal is to hang one more up there on my eightieth.

Ed Buehler
AOPA 719656
Rosenberg, Texas

That’s a pilot

I thoroughly enjoyed the article by Dennis K. Johnson (“Musings: That’s a Pilot”). I witnessed what he described when I did a long cross-country from California to Florida and stopping at these small-town airports along the way.

I was so surprised when I landed at an airport in Bogalusa, Louisiana; a gentleman working there helped me fuel my aircraft and handed me the keys to a courtesy car to drive around town. I have never encountered such generosity and trust before. When I landed at a small airport in eastern Texas, the linemen and the owner of a small FBO were so polite and helpful. It was raining when we landed, so they brought us umbrellas to use and helped with our luggage to the FBO. On the way out, they helped fix a small issue I had with my landing gear without charge.

And of course all the charitable organizations in aviation are amazing. I used to fly for Mission Aviation Fellowship in the Philippines helping out with pastors and missionaries. One time we landed at a small airport in Indonesia, and I was welcomed into their humble home as if they’d known me for a long time.

Ira Pedrosa
AOPA 936514
Los Angeles, California

Worth the effort

I just wanted to tell you how surprised and excited I was to read Natalie Bingham Hoover’s article in September’s AOPA Pilot (“Flying Life: What Are You Afraid Of?”). My wife (especially) and I are avid readers and listeners of Brené Brown—I think she has all her books and frequently references Brown’s research at her job. When I read Hoover’s article I exclaimed to my wife that I was amazed to see Brown’s research mentioned in an aviation magazine. Vulnerability is something that I’m learning to practice and encourage in my life and family—it is hard, at least at first, but well worth the effort.

Arlin Sauder
AOPA 5699948
Millmont, Pennsylvania

Friend or foe?

Dave Hirschman’s article in the September issue about zebra mussels needs some facts added. In the mid-1970s, Lake Erie was considered a dead lake, due to a century of industrial pollution. Zebra mussels were discovered in the early 1980s, being introduced by ocean-going ships dumping ballast. There was a big panic.

To make my point briefly, the mussels devoured all the dead and decaying oxygen-depleting organisms that were killing fish and other bacteria beneficial to aquatic life. Then lo and behold it was discovered that zebra mussels had a natural predator, the sheep head bottom dweller. I have never heard of any power plants or boat motors being affected, let alone “billions of dollars in damage.” Lake Erie today is a vibrant body of water. The fishing industry—both private and commercial—is thriving. On a flight from Hamburg, New York, to Dunkirk, New York, which both border Lake Erie, I sighted a couple of cruisers moored just offshore. You could see the slate bottom of the lake. It looked like the Bahamas.

Ken Garasz
AOPA 1078756
Titusville, Florida

Thank you

I would like to personally thank Mark Levy for his candid video (“Video: Engine Out” July 2018 AOPA Pilot).

My young son, who is a pilot, and I discussed the video at length. The very next day my son suffered a partial engine failure in a vintage aircraft in mountainous terrain after takeoff. Lessons learned from Levy’s video without a doubt avoided serious injury at a minimum, but the result was a successful dead-stick landing back at the airport due to prompt and timely decisions.

I am convinced that had it not been for Levy’s video, the outcome would have been much worse than just injury.

As a professional pilot and father, I am speechless and humbled in my thanks to Levy, his candor, and his willingness to teach through the media.

A teacher knows not their influence.

Jimmy Rollison
AOPA 1066045
Vacaville, California

Errata

“Little-Known Aviation History: First Airmail Drop” (September 2018 AOPA Pilot) refers to September 23, 1911, as the date of the first airmail flight in the United States. In fact, John Wise transported the first official U.S. airmail aboard his hot air balloon in 1859.

“Full Circle” (October 2018 AOPA Pilot) omitted words at a page break. The section should read, “A check of FAA records revealed that the little Champ was alive and well and living in Livermore, California (east of San Francisco). I contacted its owner, Jim Bottorff, a retired architect….”

“Super Cub Sweepstakes: Sea Wings” (October 2018 AOPA Pilot) incorrectly credits the photo of AOPA’s sweepstakes airplane. The photo is by Tres Clinton.

AOPA Pilot regrets the errors.