American Bonanza Society Magazine

My interest in aviation began while we were visiting family in Stevenson, Washington, when my Dad arranged for an airplane ride from a grass strip on the side of a mountain overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. I don’t remember my exact age, but I was probably about 14. I got to sit in the front seat and was thrilled and captivated by all of it, from the views to the feeling of freedom that we are privileged to experience. As a friend of mine was fond of saying, it was more fun than humans should be allowed to have! On November 1, 1976, while a senior in high school, I began taking flying lessons and received my Private Pilot certificate on April 7, 1977.