Using my RV-12 to celebrate 50th anniversary of first solo…
I soloed April 4,1971 when I was in high school. My father flew a B-17H in WWII and he taught me to fly - this was after he and I rebuilt a 1946 Aeronca Chief. I flew 80 hours in the Aeronca and had to sell it to pay for college. After I got married, my father and I partnered in a nice J-3 Cub which I kept for 23 years, 1100 hours, and a lot of memories. Five years ago, I traded the Cub for a flying RV-12 and never looked back.
So today, Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 is the 50th anniversary of my first solo. My father passed in 2008 - I have his USAAF Pilot Wings that my mother pinned on him, displayed on the RV-12 instrument panel. To celebrate, today I flew my RV-12 round trip to West Virginia - 250nm. My wife held up Easter dinner until I arrived home.
Beautiful day. I miss you Dad...
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