The Amazing Gift

Dec 2012 The Amazing Gift

This may well be the happiest story I’ve ever posted on LadiesLoveTaildraggers and it happens to be about my friend Nancy Warren, 84 years young.   Nancy is a pilot and truly remarkable woman who took her first flying lesson in her 50s. She’s a former Citabria owner, a member of LadiesLoveTaildraggers, and until recently, proud owner of Cardinal N30172.

Nancy Warren riding for the 1st time in the backseat of her Cardinal. (Notice her LadiesLoveTaildraggers tshirt!)

Nancy will be the first to tell you she’s had a wonderful life with many happy hours spent aloft in her 30 years of flying. She has fond memories of the support and encouragement she received as a student pilot and early in her flying career. It was the contacts she made in the early years that paved the way for her to fly right-seat in DC3’s and Beech 18s.

Nancy Warren, DC-3

At 84, Nancy appears to be the picture of health and even has a recent biannual & 3rd class medical. She could continue to fly but recognizes she’s slowing down a little ….. and that got her to thinking. Please read on and you’ll understand why I believe this is happiest story I’ve ever posted!

Always a Pilot

by Nancy Warren

ON JULY 12, 2012, I GAVE AWAY MY BELOVED CARDINAL 177, THE AIRPLANE THAT, FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, HAD SURELY AND SAFELY TRANSPORTED ME THROUGH MANY HOURS OF FLIGHT AND JOY-FILLED ADVENTURES .

For quite some time…..especially the past few years…..I have thought about this time, even as I dreaded it. Overriding the dread, however, was a growing commitment and determination to end my time in the sky on a “high note”.

I wondered if I would know when it was time to “hang it up” in order to do that.

You see, I didn’t want to wait until I had gone past that time and incurred a bad experience…for me, the airplane, or anyone else. And I really didn’t want to “lose” my license to fly; to have it taken from me because of an inadvertent violation of the regulations, failing a flight physical, or any type of incident or accident. So, I waited and continued to fly, though not as often or as far as in the past. And, I never flew on days when I didn’t feel well and strong! (We do experience good days and bad days as we get older, especially past 80.) However, I had passed my flight physical easily this year, also my BFR. Both the plane and I were in good condition!

As time went on, the thought of my flying days ending somehow felt less painful and depressing. I even talked about it more.

Nancy Warren with Eric DeBusk, left, and Thomas Kieffer, right

And then, almost two years ago, I received a letter from a young pilot, Thomas Kieffer, who had read my book and wanted to know if we could meet for breakfast or lunch and “talk about flying”. We met, talked flying, and I came away very impressed with this young man. Then, I met Eric DeBusk, another young pilot, close friend and flying buddy of Thomas, who also greatly impressed me.

We had frequent contact with each other and the next thing I knew I was climbing into the rear seat of their rented Cherokee 140 one day to fly to lunch and do some shopping with them. I loved it! From that time on, when the Cardinal and I were flying somewhere, one or both of them would go along if they were free. It gave them opportunities to fly and become familiar with the Cardinal. In no time, this unusual alliance of pilots, a 19 year-old, 21 year-old, and 83 year-old, were planning a flight to Sarasota, Florida. We made the flight in June, 2012. Had terrible weather….took two days to get there….visited an amazing number of airports….and had more fun than you could imagine!

Eric says, “Thomas didn’t realize how many sectionals it takes to get to Florida!”

The boys took turns in the left seat as PIC, while I rode in the right seat. This gave me time and opportunity to observe how well they flew individually, their teamwork, and their judgment in dealing with the challenging weather conditions. They did a great job and I was totally confident in their ability to fly well and safely.

In Florida, as the three of us were having breakfast one morning at the Blue Dolphin on Longboat Key, I looked across the table at these two fine young pilots who had become as dear to me as grandsons, and I knew this was “the time”. I said, “Thomas and Eric, I have something to tell you.” Both looked up from their breakfast with attention. (they are so courteous and respectful) “I am giving the Cardinal to the two of you.” Thomas looked stunned, and I think Eric had tears in his eyes. They truly didn’t know what to say for a few seconds, and then they broke into smiles, laughter, and excited conversation.

I’m sure there was no sleeping by either one of them that night!

Pilots Thomas Kieffer & Eric DeBusk flying the Cardinal.Thomas is a sophomore at Purdue University and Eric is
studying mechanical engineering at the
Purdue College of Technology in Columbus, Indiana. 

So, how did I feel then? Like I had just done the most important and the most “right” thing that I could ever do in my life. It felt like giving back a little of all that had been given to me and done for me throughout my journey in the world of aviation.

I have loved every moment of my time in the skies….embraced every adventure….met every challenge, accepted every failure, and savored every triumph. I felt blessed to have done what I’d hoped to do…end my journey on a high note. Now, I could hand over the keys with a glad and grateful heart, for I’d had my turn….. now it was theirs. Even more, N30172 will remain in the area, and the boys and I will fly together from time to time.

Proud part owner, Thomas Kieffer

Did I have even a moment where I thought, “my God! What have I done!?” Oh, yes! It was the day when all the paperwork was done and sent in to FAA, Insurance people, and State Revenue people. Suddenly the finality of it hit me….I don’t have an airplane anymore. I don’t even feel like a pilot anymore. Who am I now?

It was my flying buddy, Rusty, who rescued me that day with these words, “Before you were born, and after you leave this life, you WILL ALWAYS BE A PILOT.”