Drop in on any hanger flying session and somebody is probably retelling their first solo flight when the instructor steps out of the plane and says,
“Fly around the field twice and then come in.”
The mother of four wrote that her heart started palpitating. Slightly “rattled” she turned onto the wrong taxi strip, a mistake similar to driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
She called the airport tower and asked permission to taxi down the runway to the assigned taxi strip. Permission granted.
At the same time, a DC-3 in front of the terminal building revved up and also received permission to taxi. The two planes were approaching the intersection at right angles.
The tower called. “DC-3, hold for solo student in Cessna.”
Both planes continued taxiing, rapidly closing on a collision course.
“DC-3, hold for Cessna,” the tower repeated slightly louder.
The two planes taxied closer.
“DC-3, HOLD!”
The DC-3 pilot slammed on his brakes, glanced down at the little four-place plane merrily driving in front of his props, then gasped into an open mike,
“You didn’t tell me it was a woman driver!”
Note: Maxine Smith Elam made her solo flight in March 1956. Her family enjoys sharing her written account of the event.
I flew with Dick and with Maxine. Who was the best pilot? Well, Dick was more fun!😂 Think about it.😂🤘🏼