Seeing is believing

By BILL BOND

“Clear!”

I turned the ignition switch to start my red little 1963 Cessna 150, N1924Z. The Continental engine turned over once and roared to life.

My big day!

I taxied into position for takeoff from the grass strip at Dodge Center Airport (KTOB), just 20 miles west of Rochester, Minnesota. The assignment for this portion of my flight training for the private pilot ticket of my dreams? My first solo cross-country flight to Waterloo Airport (KALO) and return. 

The crisp September VFR morning on that Tuesday after Labor Day, many years ago, provided the perfect set up for a successful flight. My flight instructor, Mark Bigelow, had been at the hangar to ensure I was fully prepared. As I lifted off, I glanced at him waving. He then extended an exaggerated “thumbs up” signal for that little boost of confidence he thought I might need. 

Turns out, I would.

After climbing to pattern altitude, I left the traffic pattern to cruise southeast at 3,500 feet AGL. Piloting your own aircraft all alone to a destination in another state is truly an amazing first-time experience. The magic moment generated a quick smile. However, my respect for the hazards of careless pilotage pushed any gloating into the background.

“No — this is serious business, this taking your life into your own hands and flying somewhere,” I thought.

“Pay attention,” I coached myself out loud.

As this aerial melodrama played out in my mind, something suddenly caught my eye. 

Turning my full attention to the object, the wing of another aircraft appeared directly in my flight path. 

I panicked.

Instinctively I jammed the yoke forward to avoid a collision. But it appeared to be coming closer. In futility I broadcast on frequency 122.8 my altitude and flight position, imploring any and all aircraft in the vicinity to respond.

No radio response.

Closer and closer, still no response. I banked the little Cessna 90° to the southwest and returned to level.

Attention directed at the target directly in my flight path once again, immediately I saw my visual error. Viewed from a different angle, the metal roof of a farm building reflecting the morning sun had been my target. No aircraft were anywhere near me at that moment.

With a hollow laugh, I redirected my airplane to get back on course for the rest of the flight. Relief settled in as I tried to dismiss the sheepish feeling that I had panicked over nothing.  

On reflection, the real value of ATC flight following comes into focus: Another pair of eyes scanning for conflicting traffic, a professional controller tracking on radar all the air traffic in my vicinity. Truly a much better way to fly. 

I learned a basic — but crucial — flying lesson on that first cross-country flight. Seeing IS believing — but be sure my first sighting is not based upon poor, untested visual references. I need to avoid jumping to conclusions without benefit of additional verification.

A first glimpse followed by hasty judgment can lead to ill-conceived conclusions and bad outcomes.

In Life As Well as Flying

Not restricted to piloting aircraft, this theme has become the “true north” for much of my life. Am I allowing ill-founded beliefs to color my life decisions and choices?

Recent demonstrations and rioting in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area have generated international headlines and media coverage for months. Nearly everyone has a point of view on the “Black Lives Matter” cry for justice. A relative of mine has a black wife and stepdaughter, so my interest in the movement is more than just an opinion. 

It is a family matter.

As I tentatively discussed this very sensitive issue with him recently, I observed that — to my shame — I did not know a single black pilot. He pointed out my perspective comes from a rather narrow, suburban vantage point. I was assured that many black pilots are flying all over the world. He further suggested that the military provides ample evidence of black soldiers serving as pilots, navigators, and air traffic controllers. 

To recover from my obvious naivety, I went on to suggest I was hoping to nurture his young daughter to pursue pilot training as a career choice. I reminded him that I had offered rides to augment my encouragement. 

“After all, every little effort can lead to progress,” I reflected later as I thought back on our conversation.

But was my meager effort to bring more color into my little world of flying enough? Maybe…maybe not.

Recently I learned of a very special effort encouraging children to pursue aviation that includes a number of kids from families of color. A St. Paul, Minnesota, church pastor, who is also a pilot and CFI, is offering lessons that teach successful principles for living by offering blended Bible lessons and flight training. Pastor Chik Chikeles is creating practical opportunities for young people who might not otherwise imagine pursuing flight as a way of life. 

As he discussed the reasoning behind this unique “head in the clouds” idea, this pastor stated matter-of-factly, “I maintain that getting children into flying in this way will help keep them on the path toward devotion to God and success in life.” 

“After all,” he slyly suggested, “flying is so expensive they won’t have money to waste on the temptations of drugs and alcohol.”

He has a point. I wish I had thought of that idea. I’m glad he did. I just could not see how my love of flying could translate into leading anyone down a better path of life.

Yes, for him seeing is believing. Maybe I could learn from his example and see how my passion for flying could improve our world. 

Look for a feature story on Pastor Chik in an upcoming issue of General Aviation News.