I met my teenage doppelgänger

In October 2025 I found myself speaking to the Spokane chapter of the Washington Pilots Association about the history of General Aviation News.

After my presentation, Stephanie Hughes introduced herself by saying there were a few moments that she thought she was listening to her childhood.

Newspapers and flying were fundamental parts of her young life as well.

Her Mom owned and published a newspaper, just like me.

We shared memories of helping our parents with production, from the darkroom to the layout light tables to putting labels on subscription renewal envelopes.

More incredibly, when she was 13 she soloed a single-seat ultralight balloon.

Like Stephanie, I also soloed an ultralight at 13, but it was an airplane.

For those unaware, operators of ultralight vehicles are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements or have airman or medical certificates. (See FAR Part 103)

While not my doppelgänger by definition, having publishing and flying in common at such a young age is pretty remarkable.

Stephanie is still involved in aviation as a balloonist.

She built her own single-seat balloon in 2022 and named it Chairlift One.

One of the more inspired purposes for Chairlift One is as a show-and-tell example for young students at schools. Any excuse to engage young people with aviation, Stephanie says.

It is amazing the people we meet when we get out of our comfort zones.

Thank you for saying hello Stephanie. I look forward to hearing more stories from you.