About
This blog is about dreams. Although I'm approaching the age of 65, which is the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots, it's the beginning of the next phase. In 2000-2001, after a 23-year career in the Air Force and flying for a commuter airline, I flew for TWA. The 9-1-1 events put an end to that, and two years ago, I never dreamed that I would be flying for a major US airline again. At the age of 61, I was sent a recall invitation, as the airlines were expanding again and fortunes had improved for American Airlines following their bankruptcy and merge with US Airways.
There were three major challenges. One, I had not touched the front of an airplane in 12 years. Could I remember the essential technical parts? Two, I had not received a Federal Aviation Administration flight physical in 12 years. Everything from the previous exam had to be reported and within limits. And finally, at the age of 61, could my mind perform quick enough to relearn? In the 60s, we begin to slow down, physically and mentally.
This blog is a record of the comeback, and my final two years before flying off into the sunset with American. Will there be another sunrise after that?
Mike
There were three major challenges. One, I had not touched the front of an airplane in 12 years. Could I remember the essential technical parts? Two, I had not received a Federal Aviation Administration flight physical in 12 years. Everything from the previous exam had to be reported and within limits. And finally, at the age of 61, could my mind perform quick enough to relearn? In the 60s, we begin to slow down, physically and mentally.
This blog is a record of the comeback, and my final two years before flying off into the sunset with American. Will there be another sunrise after that?
Mike
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