Aviation Enthusiast

Ever since I knew myself I had a passion for aviation. The fact that an aluminum tube can lift off full of passengers and cargo, and transport them anywhere in the world has always fascinated me. ​

 

A recent conversation sparked a vivid recollection of a moment from my childhood that crystallized my profound love for airplanes.

 

My fascination with airplanes started at a very early age. I had a large family, but my uncle was particularly cool to me because he worked at the airport. I knew he was not a pilot, but he worked with airplanes every day.

 

Every time my uncle would come over, he would help me draw airplanes! He was incredibly skilled at drawing technical drawings. He taught me so much not only about the airplanes themselves but also about physics: why wings have their specific shapes, how lift and drag work - why airplanes fly. We also created model airplanes from empty paper towel tubes and anything else we could find.

 

Recognizing my love for airplanes, he would often invite me over to his work (like bring your kids to work day). My parents would drop me off at the airport and I’d be his sidekick for a few hours. I would ride with him in the “follow me” car, guide airplanes from the runway to the tarmac, talk to pilots in the cockpit over the headset, visit traffic control tower, etc. I was in heaven.

 

Then, one day when I was about 7 years old, I was “scheduled for work” with him and I assumed it would be the same routine. But this time something was off. When we got to our first DC-9, we climbed up the stairs and the airplane was full of passengers. I was usually not allowed on board a full airplane. We took a left turn and found ourselves in the cockpit. I said “hi” to the pilots and they asked me if I have ever flown on an airplane. Of course I said no. I assumed we would exchange pleasantries and leave so the airplane could depart.

 

Well, my uncle was right behind me and he closed the cockpit door. He pulled out a jump seat and told me to sit in his lap. Both the pilot and copilot informed me I will be flying in the cockpit on this short, 45-minute flight. I was beside myself! I was so excited but at the same time so scared - I have never flown before.

 

My uncle would narrate every part of the departure which put me at ease - how the pilot uses the tiller for steering the airplane on the ground, etc.

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Then we got to the edge of the runway. The engines of a DC-9 roared and all of a sudden I felt I was being pushed into the seat with such force that I thought I would crush my uncle. And all of a sudden we were above the clouds, surrounded by the most beautiful blue color I have ever seen in my life. I was in a state of shock.

 

What snapped me out if it was a flight attendant opening the door and asking us if we wanted to eat or drink something. I said no to everything - I just wanted to watch the clouds and follow the pilot’s inputs and soak in all that I could.

 

The rest of the flight, including the immediate return back to the origin city, was a blur. I just remember I had my first flight and it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.​​