ACHIEVING ASPIRATIONS

Many special people helped to make the dream of becoming a pilot a reality.

DAVID DALE

Ray Andrews, my flight instructor, turned to me and asked, “So, you think you’re ready to solo in front of your friends?” After my half-hour flight lesson of three takeoffs and landings, with my childhood friends Larry Leonard and Michael Rafferty watching from alongside the grassy airstrip, I was surprised by his question. I had no idea this might be “the day” I would solo at Weiser Airpark (formerly KEYQ) outside of Houston. I don’t remember what I answered, but I think I just smiled and nodded. Up to this point, I had seven hours of flight instruction and performed a total of 42 takeoffs and landings. Andrews climbed out of the right seat of the Piper Cherokee, and I taxied to the end of the runway for what would…

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Plane & Pilot (Digital) - 1 Issue, November/December 2023

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