Always Need A Good Co-Pilot

I often say that there are no words that can describe the bond a parent makes with a child.  Until you have kids, you simply can’t appreciate the love a parent can feel.

Every so often, my daughter and I will do things on a father-daughter day.  Sometimes it’s just the two of us loading firewood.  Sometimes it’s just the two of us grabbing a bite at Subway.  But it’s a special time for us to share time together.

A few weeks back, my daughter asked me to take her flying.  As a pilot for 20+ years, hearing my daughter ask to do something that I also enjoy as a hobby is a wonderful thing.

Although the flight didn’t last long, she was a great co-pilot.  And while I pride myself on be precise in my control and operation of the airplane, she’s more interested in quick climbs and decents that tickle her belly like a roller coaster (my late grandfather called those ‘howdy doody bumps’).  She’s also picking up the radio talk quite well, but is still a little shy to say too much.  So far, just a “roger, two niner lima” is the most she’ll put thru the mic, but it makes my smile.  I can even hear the smiles on the other end of the radio when ATC acknowledges that young voice.

So to those parents our there, make sure you spend time making an positive impression on your children.  And remember to enjoy the pride that comes with being a parent.  There's no other feeling like it in the world.