As we journey through life, all of us find "loves" which we Cherish and hold closet to our hearts. Mine have been Barbara, who passed away this past Sat AM and aviation. For those who prayed for my wife, thank you, believe me it helped!
As for aviation, it will always be with me, until I am called to duty in heavens Air Force.
As far as my love for aviation, it all started in 1948, walking about 2 miles to the local airport, all 1800 feet of dirt runway. After making some friends at the airport, I begin to wash aircraft for free flying time, a PT-19, a Taylorcraft, a Ercoupe and a Piper PA-12A. These were all good aircraft, but the PT-19 was my favorite. It had a inverted Ranger engine, ball bearing controls and fixed gear and manual lowering flaps.
There is a "closed" cockpit version, the PT-26, which I never got to fly as non was around.
After flying all of the aircraft at the local airport, I moved on in late 53 and early 54 to the Beechcraft T-34, then the T-28, The C-45 and C-47, then to B-26 school.
The T-34A, great little trainer aircraft, based on the Beechcraft Bonanza.
One of the best flying, fun aircraft you will ever fly!
While I no longer trust my health enough to fly solo, bad eyes, irregular heart beat, I still have friends who do own aircraft and I still get plenty of offers to kick the tires, light the fires and leap into the blue.
But the one thing that I do have, is the ability to log into Aces High and fly a number of aircraft, interact with friends on line and generally just enjoy a touch of aviation which only costs $14.95 per month! There is no way that you can get the entertainment that this game provides anywhere in the world for that price!
To all who love aviation and play this great game!