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Sometimes The Impossible Just Takes Total Commitment
In 1966 at 21, I Became a Pilot at a Major Us Airline
Career Boosts Can Come From Crazy Places, Be Ready
It was race day on Biscayne Bay in Miami Florida. I was a crewman on a forty-foot sailboat, owned and skippered by a Pan American Airlines captain named Lou Oates.
I was 17 and an experienced sailor who had crewed for Lou many times. After a great day of racing, we were sprawled on the front lawn of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, talking over the day’s events. Lou was in his 40’s, a soft-spoken man whom I viewed as a mentor.
“Lou, I’ve got a problem. I’m going to graduate high school in June, and I have no idea what I want to do with my life.”
He grinned and patted me on the shoulder. “Why don’t you consider becoming a pilot?” I was stunned. I never even slightly considered this. It just seemed like that was something someone else did, but not me.
“Gee Lou, how do I go about that?”
“Well, head out to one of the local airports around here, sign up for a solo license course, and see if you like it. Normally takes about 10 flight hours for most folks. You just progress from there: Private Pilot license next, Commercial license after…
