Aviation

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Aviation--The Highlight of My Youth

Summer 1979 in the Swedish Air Force with flight squadron "Semper Primus" (always first). I am on the left, 15 years old, getting ready to fly in the SAAB Safir SK-50, a single engine, low-wing three-seater, just post World War II military trainer in which I later did some aerobatic training. One winter, taking off from Bromma Airport outside of Stockholm, my instructor and I did spins, loops, rolls, and a tricky maneuver called a half cuban eight over the ice and islands in the Swedish archipelago.

Summer 1980, getting ready to fly the Libelle, a fiberglass high performance one-seater sailplane that feels like it's been tailored to your body. Note the canopy on the ground, which will be attached once I get properly strapped in. The hat protects against the sun's ultraviolet rays through the canopy, plus it makes you feel "cool." And, no, it's not all ice in Sweden. Average summer temperature is 63 degrees F, and average winter temperature is 29 degrees F, despite the 60 degrees north latitude.

Summer 1980, geared up in my flight suit and ready to fly the K-8 sailplane. I did my endurance flight of five hours for the Silver C award in this glider. Note the 30-pound sandbag under my arm; ballast to bring the glider within the weight and balance envelope. At 110 pounds, I was about 20 pounds too light to safely fly this type of glider.

Winter 1984, getting ready to fly the Bergfalke sailplane. Note the parachute I am in the process of donning. Also note how we have plowed a runway on the ice.

Winter 1984 on a frozen lake in northern Sweden. I am the flight leader this day and direct the traffic. My mother sewed the orange "flight helmet" for me to make me more visible in case of emergency landing in the wilderness.

November 1982 on Visingsö, an island in a lake in southern Sweden about a two hour flight from Stockholm. The airplane is a Piper Cub.

March 2009, a more recent flight from Salt Lake City to Logan a bit farther north.

March 2009, the view from the cockpit just north of Salt Lake City.

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Aviation--The Highlight of My Youth