Desire to Fly

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"Flying had always fascinated me.  Ever since I was about 15, I'd watch airplanes circling overhead, and I'd dream of being up there one day.  There were even occasional blimps that flew over our area, though I have no idea what their purpose was – I just knew they were based in Akron, Ohio. Since then, I have had a desire to fly. I peddled papers and earned about 50 cents a week.  We also received a small weekly allowance in our family – 5 cents, actually. Sometimes, we even missed getting that.  

One day, I heard there would be a Ford Tri-Motor plane offering rides in Dunkirk.  This German-designed aircraft was known for its ability to take off and land on short runways, and the landing area in our town was just a grassy field, but it was long enough to make the plane airborne.  The cost for a ride was 50 cents – a significant sum, but I had saved up enough and decided to go for it. The ride lasted about 15 minutes.  The plane took off, circled the town, flew over the lake, and then returned.  Still in high school, after that experience, I learned about the aviation cadet training program.  Knowing that this was exactly what I wanted to do, I graduated valedictorian of my class. I thought, I'm going to have a complete shoe in on this thing here.

The program trained cadets for various roles – pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, bombardier, or navigator. I felt that I would be able to do all of these things. But of course, it didn't turn out that way.”

Editor's note: The Ford Tri-Motor, also known as the "Tin Goose," was an iconic three-engined aircraft, built between 1925 and 1933, that played a pivotal role in ushering in the age of commercial air travel. Its all-metal construction, a stark contrast to the wood and fabric planes of the day, offered superior strength and durability.  The three engines provided an extra layer of safety, allowing the plane to fly on just two in case of an emergency. Its ability to land on rough fields opened up remote areas, fostering economic development and exploration.