Our week at 2018 EAA Airventure is full of happy reunions, thrilling experiences and gorgeous airplanes. Plus, I collect at least a year’s worth of free sunglasses so the trip is definitely worth it! Lots of good stories to share, but my favorite is about the “airplane ride” I take at the Air Cam vendor booth. There they have a cockpit of their airplane on display.
Intrepid Pilot
A 6 year old is seated in the pilot’s seat offering rides to any takers. I agree to fly with him and once I contort myself into the back seat we are ready to go. “Don’t touch anything” he admonishes me as he prepares to take off. After flipping a few buttons and lining up on a imaginary runway he pulls back on the stick for a near vertical takeoff.
We roll and loop as he demonstrates his expertise. We must be doing an entire acrobatic routine because the stick between my legs thrashes violently in all directions. And no, I am NOT touching it! After a while, I am ready to get back on the ground but hate to interrupt his flight. He agrees to let me virtually parachute back to earth while he continues to soar.
His Mom explains to me that he often flies with his Grandfather who I bet taught him that passengers don’t touch anything. She assures me that he has hours of flight time. “He flies every day,” she shares with me, “if not with Grandad, then on the couch high above the virtual clouds in his living room!” I can just picture his future career as an aviator and that is what EAA Airventure is all about.
The Rest of My Airventure 2018 Story
Hey Sunny, Foul Weathers here. Thanks for making me famous. The offers are pouring in; only question is who will play me in the movie? Haha. Great to see you and (Thunder)Stormy at OSH. thanks for taking good care of my bruh NClement… Best, Foul.
I am sure you were already famous! It was great to see you too! It was our pleasure to have N as our guest. Let’s do it again next year.