Fear of Flying

I have to admit, I have a fear of flying. I have nothing against airplanes once I get up in them or how little time they get me from point A to B, but I simply just don't like getting into a tin can and zooming 30,000 feet above the world. Perhaps it's something about being two feet or four wheels on the ground. (Of course the irony is I have been in 17 car accidents and never once had a bad flight.)

Anyway, one of the seniors at the high school where I teach is a pilot and he invited me to go up in the air with him. He chose a beautiful spring-like day and the two of us, plus his flight instructor and my daughter took to the skies to fly to Dexter, MO, which is down near the Missouri Bootheel. Our purpose: Chris is working on his high performance rating (which means he can fly bigger and more powerful aircraft). Our destination: Hickory Hollow restaurant for their ribs.

We went up in a Cessna 182. I had headphones on and I could hear all the conversation between Chris and Jeff, his flight instructor. I have to admit, I didn't understand much of it. But as both explaned to me later, pilots have to be able to multi-task. We took off at sunset and headed south. After one little, drop your stomach oops due to twist, not pull, we were off. It was the most relaxing flight of my life. Even though it was a clear day and a beautiful night, Chris flew most of the way with "foggles" which allowed him to practice flying instruments only in bad weather. Our landing was fine, once the lights at the airport finally clicked on and stayed on. I found it interesting that the airport was deserted, but by using a code only pilots know we could hang out in the lounge until the shuttle came and picked us up. Flying is a complete world.

Next year Chris will be in Warrensburg, MO, working on his degree in aviation. He wants to come out of college a commercial pilot. As for me, did you know Colin Morris (from Legally Tender) is a pilot? I didn't either, but he is and I've got some wonderful material now researched for the book. Coach Stroh, a PE teacher at my school, says he's going up with Chris next.

All I know is that neither my daughter nor I had no fear flying with him. If I'm ever rich and famous and need my own pilot, I'm going to snatch him up.

Michele