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It Was Never A "Job," It Was Fun!
It Was Great While It Lasted (Nothing Lasts, My Friends)
I started my airline flying in DC-3s in 1959, moved later to the Piper Navajo for a couple of years, then flew the Fairchild
F-27 propjet. Later, I flew the DC-9, the B-727, B-747, DC-10, Airbus A-320. I retired in 1994.
I enlisted in the Air Force in 1953,qualified for Aviation Cadets, and entered Pilot training in Class 55-India,graduating
in February, 1955. I retired from military service in 1973, after 20 years, attaining the rank of 0-6. In the Air Force I
flew lots of airplanes; Piper Super Cub, T-6, T-28, T-33, F-89, F-86L, and the F-102. These airplanes were mostly obsolete
by the time I flew them, and I never got to fly a first line fighter, but I had a great time. There were others, but these
were the main planes in my flying life. I had a ball!
In 1969, I volunteered for a stint in Southeast Asia, and flew 53 missions out of Danang AB, SVN during my 90 day TDY
(Temporary Duty). It wasn't much of a contribution, but at least I showed up.
Flying was my life, but the FAA and the government had a policy that airline pilots had to retire at age 60, so 12 years
ago (February 1994), I flew my last airline trip. They did me a huge favor, because, had they allowed it, I would have kept
flying forever. Forced retirement made me find other interests, and I discovered that there is a life without airplanes.
Life is good.
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