There have been a few snags in my late-life flying experience. A pilot friend of mine flew the Beech Musketeer that I used for most of my flights and suffered a disastrous crash with four passengers aboard while returning from Cleveland. The aircraft ran out of fuel about 10 miles from the airport, and the pilot was able to successfully land on a highway median. Unfortunately, the plane collided with an abutment during the landing, which resulted in three fatalities.
Such events do put a different slant on one's view, and I must say I am leaning more toward my wife's perspective. I now have five grandchildren and would have no problem encouraging them to take up flying. But I believe my flying days may be numbered and that more practical considerations are taking precedence. How much flying that will involve remains to be seen.
DR. JOHN O'HANDLEY is a family physician with the Mount Carmel Family Practice Center in Columbus, Ohio.