It was 2021. I had not flown an aircraft since 1994, but circumstances led me to look into flying again. (That’s a story for another time.) With that much of a layoff, I assumed it would be like starting all over, like 1973 when I first started flying. Figured I’d need 30+ hours and lots of dual time. It looked to be prohibitively expensive for a retiree living on pensions and social security. I was 70.
But in my Internet searches of flight schools, I came across a link to the “Sheboygan Flying Club.” Since I couldn’t afford any of the flight schools, I called the number on the website.

It answered on the second ring: “This is Eldon.” (???)

I said, “Is this Sheboygan Flying Club?”

“Yeah, this is Eldon, I’m the chief instructor.”

“I'm a retired Air Force pilot. I haven't flown in a long time, and I'd like to start up.”

“Come on out, and we’ll get you checked out.”

“Uh, wait a second, I don’t even know if I can do it. Don’t know if I can pass the medical.”

So Eldon gave me the number of a Dr Green, over at the Oshkosh airport.

I had to be honest, “I haven’t flown a plane in 27 years. I’m not sure I have the skills anymore.”

“Oh, you’ll be fine. Come out, and we’ll fix you up. We have lots of ex military.”

“But I'm 70 years old. I may be past it.”

“Well, I’m 81.”

No excuses left, I drove over to Oshkosh. About an hour drive from home.

After I passed the medical (All good, but I need glasses now,) I spent a lot of time sitting in the left seat of the club’s Piper Cherokee Warrior. I had to find all of the switches, and they were the old steam gauges. Made sense, since the airplane was built in 1974, just after I started flying. It was familiar.

I went over and over the checklist. Not to memorize it, but to know it. What had to be done and why. Why was each step important, and how important? I wanted to be able to write the checklist.

Finally, I went out and met Eldon in front of the hangar. We pushed the plane out and started off.

Eldon is the best instructor I’ve ever flown with. He’s seen it all and all kinds of pilots.

When we took off, the feeling came back. I was rusty, but… I was flying! I was home!

I think, once you’re a pilot, it’s part of who you are.

We got through the stalls and falls and the steep turns. We did about a thousand touch and go’s.

It wasn’t all pretty. I botched some radio calls (Sheboygan is uncontrolled.)

Some of the landings were, “Take that, runway!”

But they were my landings. Eldon never had to take the controls.

Eldon signed off my BFR after two flights.

That was four years ago.

I fly when the sun shines and the wind is light. The fun, the thrill—it’s back. Oh, I’ve done a couple of cross-country trips, and renewed my instrument ticket, but I look forward to just flying in the sun and seeing the sights.

I am a pilot.