Never give up 8-4-2022

Life is an amazing thing. It really is. Since I was a small child and I saw my first airplane in the sky I wanted to fly. I flew rubber powered airplanes and made rockets. I watched every space launch and movie from “Strategic Air Command” to the Disneys “Man in Space”. To quote Pink floyd I could never “escape its irresistible grasp”.

I didn’t have the notice from my parents. They didn’t kindle my interest or take it seriously. That was a shame. But I never stopped trying. I’d make rockets out of cardboard tubes and use C02 to launch them. I would do whatever I could to get a little piece of me up into that sky.

I grew up. I went to Hollywood and had a wonderful career but during that time I had a building table where I built model airplanes and flew my socks off. I never stopped looking up. Today I’m still doing it and will until I drop. I don’t think any of us will ever know why the sky calls us like it does. But it’s in your soul. Once an aviator always an aviator.

I have regretted never getting a private pilot’s license, a PPL. I had many opportunities and the money to do this in my career. But Hollywood was demanding and time was always hard to find.

So here I am 70 years old. Still looking up at the planes flying out of Oxnard airport, Camerillo, and point Mugu. Wishing I could be up there.

Yesterday I received an email from the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron 61 stationed at Camarillo Airport. One of my favorites. They asked me if I could join them to assist with their cadet rocketry program and model flight. I said yes. Camarillo airport is 15 minutes from my house.

Ricardo of the Squadron called me and we had a very long talk about all this and airplanes. He and his wife both work in military aviation. Ricardo is like all of us. A died in the wool aviation wing nut with a solid passion for all things that fly.

He encouraged me to join the Civil Air Patrol. I didn’t know this could be done by someone like me but he assured me it could. He also told me I could go on missions in their aircraft. Also, using Microsoft Flight sim 2020 I could get formal training in learning how to converse with the ATC. They have software that plugs in and allows you to talk with a virtual ATC with real air traffic controllers and virtual air traffic. 

What this all may lead to is flying with them. Getting some stick time and maybe a PPL at long last. If nothing else I’ll get to wear a flight suit and get up there. Up there where I have been looking since I was 3 years old. To say I’m excited is an understatement.

I have my first meeting with the Squadron August 9th.

The moral to this story is never, never give up. And keep that inner child alive and well. And be ready. There are always great things ahead.

Quoted from the Civil Air Patrol page:

Squadron 61 contributes to the Civil Air Patrol’s mission as America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers, including the members of Squadron 61  are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. The Squadron is part of a compliment of 60,000 members who selflessly devote their time, energy and expertise toward the well-being of their communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.

“Supporting America’s communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development, and promotion of air, space and cyber power.”