'wonderful reminiscence, Mike. We were fortunate to have grown in a time when airplanes and flying were still fascinating. My own Dad also had his stories of building a primary glider when in high school or trading for a boat from which they dove into the Maumee river of Gerti's (sp?) Island to find the storied cannon dropped through the ice by Mad Anthony Wayne on his way to Fallen Timbers. Our fathers had so much fun in the real world - as opposed to cyberspace. Barnstormers, learning to grind valves for OX-5 engines, driving friends to the National Air Races at age 14 in a body-less car,... 'so many stories of youth of another time. Thanks for posting the delightful memoir.