First Flight Out

Kristi was just a toddler when I first took her to Lunken Airport to watch the airplanes taking off and landing.


My brother Bobby and I first took an interest in flying when we were boys and frequently went down to the airport for weekend rides that were offered by commercially licensed general aviation pilots. So it was only natural that I would care to introduce my daughter to aviation at an early age.


But I had no intention of taking Kristi for a ride that day, until she began putting up a fuss, insisting she wanted to go.


After some persistent rejection on my part, and informing her that I did not have enough cash on me to pay for it, I finally relented. We approached the pilot, who had space for one more (paying) passenger and advised him of our predicament. As there was no one else in line, he agreed to take us for the cash I had on hand.


Everything was fine as we boarded the co-pilot (right-hand) seat of the Cessna-172 aircraft until, that is, the pilot started the engine. With Kristi in my lap, in some fear, she started crying and screaming to the sound of the engine noise. We held on as the plane taxied to the end of the runway, then began its takeoff run.


And this is where Kristi's first ride in an airplane took a turn to a more amusing heading.


With her head buried in my chest, tears racing down her cheeks, Kristi suddenly popped her head up to see what was happening as the 172's wheels left the ground and the nose headed skyward. Then, after quickly scanning the horizon from port to starboard, like a turtle, her head just as quickly retreated back into the shell of my chest.


Interesting, I thought. Maybe a little positive encouragement would calm her and retrieve a bit more of her participation for her first brief 20-minute flight.

As we flew over the city I searched for sights that I knew Kristi was familiar with that I could point out for her to see: the Ohio river with its boats, Union Terminal, the downtown area, etc. Even grandma's house. And each time I did so she popped her head up as she had first done and peered out the starboard window. Her big brown eyes brightly taking in the aerial view. That is, until she had gotten her fill of what I was showing her and she realized our altitude. In her vernacular, 'we were really up high'. It was then that her uncertainty would return.


So, as it was, Kristi and I celebrated her first flight. Oh, yes! One last thing. All the remainder of that day, the fear was quickly forgotten and Kristi proudly, courageously  and enthusiastically talked about how she first flew in an airplane.


I can't say how Kristi feels about flying these days. But I know she has flown commercially for business and pleasure. As for me? My head is still in the clouds!