I LOST A GOOD FRIEND THIS WEEK

I lost a good friend this week. He was not on my best
buddy list, because he was always too busy to do the
things that many of our other guys could do. We would take off
and go fishing or hunting, but he had to FLY.
He would fly for Gran-Aire, or he would fly for Blommer, but he would fly.

I have my original log book. We bought it at the Gran-Aire counter for one dollar. The first entries were Gene taking me on my first flights in a single engine plane. The first spins, the first stalls, and the first time I had control at takeoff. The log is dated 1960.

It was the thrill of my life and, reflecting back, the shove that allowed me to earn my pilot’s license and give the exact same thrill to others. Let’s not be confused. I have a license, but……Gene is a pilot. He will carry that rating no matter where he goes.

Gene Walenton is the guy I will always want in the LEFT SEAT…..and he rates a high spot on both lists.