Ok, the question is rhetorical. So here is the rhetoric. Friday, I took Dad (age 81) on a flight from Kvll (Troy, MI) to a small grass strip off Lake Huron 55G (Arnold field in Croswell, MI). When we landed, the local farmer/airport attendant gave us his car and we drove 2 miles into town for lunch. After lunch, we flew along Lake Huron then returned home. It was truly a highlight for me as I first soloed an airplane in 1986 and only recently obtained my Private Pilot certificate. I promised myself that Dad would be my first passenger as a Private Pilot. I am also an airplane owner, a 1949 Cessna 140A.
Reflecting on my journey, I recall my first flight in a small aircraft (a discovery type flight) at the age of 8 while on vacation in Florida, circa 1974. (a defacto young eagle?) After high school, I soled a C-150 then ran out of money. Soloed a Skyhawk in the late 90's and early 2000's, kid's college, career prevented me from finishing.
In March of this year I purchased the C140A at the age of 44. Shortly thereafter I soloed again (a defacto gray eagle?) and became a private pilot.
I have three points:
1. Flying at a young age can light a fire.
2. Flying as an adult is aviation's answer to the fountain of youth, (I am still 8 or 18 at heart).
3. I am really proud of finishing my goal, flying my Dad and becomming a private pilot.