I'm sure that there are a bunch of you out there who were best buddies with your fathers growing up. I sure was... every errand, every flat tire, every project around the house, I was right on Dad's heels. Unfortunately, living 3000 miles from my pop has made it hard to get good quality time in. Dad is one of few words on the phone, so when we get the rare opportunity to really hang out, I always hope we'll connect well and have some quality time. Its not always successful... but this visit home was different.

Dad got his pilot's license reinstated a few years back, and he just loves to fly. This time I visited during the summer, so Dad and I went out for a spin in the little Cessna he rents from his flying club. Now, I have to tell you that I'm not thrilled about tiny aircraft, and I get motion sick, so I wasn't really overjoyed about this excursion at first... but Dad loves flying, and it was a golden chance for us to hang out. And it turned out to be the best day I've spent with Dad in years... maybe ten years. It was like being a kid again, in some ways... a day I wished wouldn't end. If only he'd come visit me out here, we could go TT'ing on the twisties...

A few pics:

Dad and I with the Cessna. All of 100 horsepower, redlines at 2500 rpm! Dad is showing off his highly fashionable flying uniform. Later I learned that it gets really hot inside the plane and wished I worn shorts too!

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Check out the price on 100 octane fuel! Its $5.50 here in cali. (is aviation fuel different then auto fuel?)

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Not much space inside.. ("Hey Dad, when does the beverage service start?")

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Down the runway we go! (does this thing really fly?)

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Dad and Evan at about 3000 feet.

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Landing at a rural airfield just for fun:

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Very cool Evan. Thanks for the share!

 

Neat post ;-)

 

my step dad who I have always had a hard time *relating* to, in an always awkward way...we went out soaring for the day in his soaring plane....and wow, it was the most fun we had together in 17+ years

Now that my mom and him are splitting up, &lt;sigh&gt; I feel that we have become better friends because of the day =)

 

wow, that was really sweet. in my own way, i can relate. thanks for sharing

 

and thinking about my dad too. Thats really cool Sean. My folks were together for 25 years and just split about 7 years ago. That's made things a little more difficult with regard to family affairs... so days like I had with my Dad are rare and special.

 

Um, what airfield? Referring to last pic.

 

as we lAndEd oN tHe GrAsS, dad SaiD.. "this is a really good runway, most aren't this nice."

:-)

 

Pretty cool......my dad and I have nothing in common anymore....were working on it...divorce sucks

 

My Dad passed away 10 years ago but I feel ok. b/c at least I was able to show him that I was proud of him and loved him. ( He was a pilot too :-) Thanks for the story.

Sorry for probable English mistakes.