Good on Ya Tom... That's great..!!!

Big John: wow, I am jealous, that is a great picture to have! I was a big time Sky King kid also.

I am feeling bad now I didn't get the kid's contact #, as it is this site I landed is one that is better not hit too often, just every now and then is OK, but I don't want to wear out my welcome or push my luck as it is one of "those" landing areas. NOT illegal to land there, it just has never come up before and how the local powers that be if and when they got their noses rubbed in it would react is always a crap shoot. Past experience tells me to not push it. BTW, there is a paved strip less then a mile away, which only weakens any argument I may attempt as to why I land in that field if ever asked. No excuse in other words, it's just much closer to the cafe and more of a challenge so lots more fun, that's why.

I have several places I have landed for years now, but only once or twice a year, I try not to get greedy. A while back I got a friendly talking to at one of these sites I've been landing for over 30 years, by a government employee that will remain vague, for his own protection. He commented that some of his fellow employees may not be as aviation friendly as he, and may be more strict in their interpretation of the rule book. He was so on my side he even went on to say that if of course I was having an emergency, landing this site would not be a problem, he was wiggling his eyebrows while telling me this. Practically begging me to claim it was an emergency! I think that would be cheating, I'll save that get out of jail free card for when I really need it, and told him as much, and referenced the short walk to yet another cafe as the only reason, and we both had a good laugh over my no BS (and no guilt) explanation.

Anyway, I digress..... what I'll do with the kid is to fly back over fairly soon, it's less then an hour away,and circle the 'hood for a while where he was hanging out, I'll then head over to the paved strip and land and wait. Then takeoff and repeat. Then, when I ride my bike over to the cafe, I'll eyeball the snowmachine site where I met him. Then when I'm at the cafe I'll ask the lady owner about him, small town type deal, it may be as simple as that. That way I'll feel like I'm making an honest effort to take him up, and maybe grandma, without screwing up my once or twice a year site.

Good job CG!

Gonna have a tour of the S7s project by the grades 3-5 students here in about a month. They are studying various power plants and need a look at an aircraft engine.

This is the only way to keep GA going. Again I say, good job!

...make sure you check with mom first though. There is one in CO that still wants my scalp for taking her kid up without permission. Upon further reflection, it was dumb on my part.

It's too bad that most kids now have to view airplanes through chain link fences now..At our airport, you can't even see through the 15' fence around the GA ramp.
Pete

Did ya get a chance to give that kid his ride yet? I know at that age I would've killed for an airplane ride. It wasn't until I took my first lesson that I got a ride, never looked back, but I know if I had gotten a ride as a kid I would've never forgotten it!

Kudos buddy! That's what makes our world go 'round:)

I think it is very unfortunate that most kids are not raised right anymore. Many of us would like to think we were like that "kid" when we were young but I know for damn sure I wouldn't have been allowed near a snow machine or a gun when I was 10. Most parents, especially today molly coddle, or ignore their kids, They never learn or teach the important things like responsibility, integrity. live life without fear. Their heads are filled with negativity and mistrust. They end up apathetic, introverted, goalless with piss poor self confidence, and waste their lives living in a virtual world . ( hey, that sounds vaguely familiar )
That was a great story, It's almost hard to fathom a parent that trusts their 10 year old to roam unsupervised on a sled. A kid who is bold and persistent and not at all intimidated by adult strangers and I bet, could shoot the balls off a brass monkey at 100 yards. That kid is totally gonna dig that ride, it most likely will make a big influence in his life, and that is important to us. Enthusiasm like that must be rewarded.

Though flying a lot during this latest high pressure stretch of perfect weather (though no new snow dammit) I haven't been within 60 miles of where the Kid was, but that will happen in a week or so. I need to do it on the same day of the week, have decent weather, and not be working or flying elsewhere. It's a tough life

Awesome Story, I sure hope the Kid gets his ride. I grew up in a fundamentalist Mormon Community, one of 12 children. We were very poor as to material things, although we didn't know it at the time. Oh how I ached and wanted to fly in an airplane. It hurt so bad I could taste the pain. I was nearly 17 years old before I got my first ride. A neighbor had a Cessna 182 and found out I was interested in aviation, and airborne I became.

I will never forget that first ride, how magical and incredible it was. I was hooked. I will forever be thankful to the man who took the time and interest enough in me to invite me along. Two years later I had my A&P license and eventually my pilot's license. I had to set flying aside for a time as my own family was growing, but in recent years was able to pick it back up.

There are literally tons of kids out there with that same ache, desire and interest to experience a flight. I hope to someday be in a position to give back what I received. I have taught religion classes to young boys and used flying and flying stories to help illustrate a point. They are captivated by the subject. Every flight is incredible and it's own spiritual experience.

That's just flying in general. Shortfield and backcountry flying is something even more precious and special. We need to find these kids and create opportunities for them. I think we would find general aviation would literally explode with growth and be propelled forward with unstoppable momentum if we would take the time and interest with the next generation.

Thanks to those who have and will yet take the time to give even one Kid their first ride, or who buzzed and waved. It makes all the difference. I work on aircraft every day and still run to the window or door every time I hear and airplane, thirty years after that first flight.

I didn't get my first airplane ride until I was in my mid-twenties and I had to pay for that ride. Heck, I'm still paying for that ride!