Originally published at: Across America at 10,000 Feet: The Journey Begins
A college graduate’s cross-country flying adventure starts with a call from his dad—and a few surprises before takeoff.
Man, I’m impressed in a Cirrus no less! Would have been worth reading had it been in an older open cockpit bipe. Oh wait, that’s been done decades ago.
Must be nice. When I was 21 was happy when I could scratch together 38/hr (plane and instructor) just to get an hour in the 150.
Hope this gentleman realizes his good fortune
In the summer of 1976 after high school graduation I was inspired by Richard Bach’s book “Nothing by Chance,” about him flying around the country selling rides in his Curtis Jenny. I flew halfway across the country and back in a 1948 Luscombe with no communication or navigation radios, using only maps and pilotage. I’d stop for fuel at uncontrolled airports. Now that was an adventure! I slept in a tent under the wing at night. I was surprised to learn that kind FBO operators would loan you a car to go get a bite to eat. When I asked “You’re going to lend me your car?” He responded “Well, I’ve got your airplane.”
Minor correction: Bach flew a Travel Air 4000 in Nothing by Chance, not a Curtiss Jenny.
omg wow thats so cool, i really wanna do that one day!!! pilot sounds cool too, im excited for the future versions of this!!
Thank you for the article! Reading about the triumphs and tribulations in traveling the US was exciting and inspiring. I look forward to reading more articles in the future.
Wow, this is so inspiring and makes me believe that everything is possible! Reading this brought me back to those crazy, exciting first days and at the same time I can’t believe I actually lived it! Thank you for making me a part of this incredible journey, and to you and Dylan for being the amazing pilots who kept me safe and entertained😂. Looking forward for the second part!
I think a lot of staying true to yourself is the act of spending some here, and spending some over there. For now you stand separate from your peers, life ahead and aware of busy happenings. Believe in what’s there. Remain intact. Collect your processes and release the greatest of directions into what was once there before. Find and utilize unique moments and see to it that they rotate as every day is a new day, and every night is dark. As the great ones say, the pilot and plane are both knives to a homemade steak.
I would like to speak to these pilots immediately. What an incredible and fascinating read. I’m sure the two gentlemen are very good looking as well.
I was blessed to be part of a trip like this when I was instructing. Our flight school did one every year. Four 172s, two students, an owner, a renter, and three instructors. About 65 hours of flying over 18 days. There’s no better way to tour the country!
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