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HPR4387: Did she say she flew light aircraft?!

Hosted by Elsbeth on 2025-05-27 01:00:00
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In this nostalgic episode, I share my personal experiences riding and flying light aircraft during the 1980s and 1990s. From the hum of a Cessna engine to the grace of a Bonanza slicing through the clouds, it’s a journey through the skies filled with stories of daring, faith, and the wonder of flight.

Topics Covered:

  • Light Aircraft Overview
  • General insight into what qualifies as light aircraft and why they’re beloved by private pilots and hobbyists.
  • Light aircraft – Wikipedia
  • Flying in a Cessna
  • Memories of flying in various models of the iconic Cessna—dependable, nimble, and a staple of personal aviation.
  • Cessna – Wikipedia
  • Bonanza Adventures
  • Experiences flying in the Beechcraft Bonanza, known for its sleek design and comfort—especially memorable during cross-country flights.
  • Beechcraft Bonanza – Wikipedia
  • Missionary Aviation Stories
  • Recollections of missionary pilots and their vital roles in reaching remote areas, often relying on small aircraft to deliver aid, supplies, and hope.
  • Missionary aviation – Wikipedia
  • Aviation in the 1980s and 1990s
  • A look back at the culture of general aviation during this era—before GPS was common, when flight was guided more by instinct, skill, and charts on your lap.
  • General aviation – Wikipedia

Listen now on your favourite platform and take to the skies with me!

Provide feedback on this episode.

HPR Comments


Jim DeVore says: Thanks for the inspiration

RE: hpr4387::2025-05-27 Did she say she flew light aircraft?! by Elsbeth
00:29:26 Listen in ogg, opus, or mp3 format.
I have long had a pilot license on my bucket list, ever since a friend took me for a ride in a '39 Piper Cub. Your episode reminded me that this type of flying, while expensive, is within reach. Thank you!

KEVIN B OBRIEN says: I loved the show

RE: hpr4387::2025-05-27 Did she say she flew light aircraft?! by Elsbeth
00:29:26 Listen in ogg, opus, or mp3 format.
Great show, I loved hearing about your flying experiences with your family.

Paulj says: Flying

RE: hpr4387::2025-05-27 Did she say she flew light aircraft?! by Elsbeth
00:29:26 Listen in ogg, opus, or mp3 format.
Thanks for the interesting show Elspeth. I have been flying model aircraft (predominantly gliders) since my teenage years, and also fly full size gliders for several years in my 40's. Gliding is a great way to enjoy flying, and in my humble opinion everyone wanting to fly should start with gliders! Anyway, I have too much to say on the matter, so I think I will have to add the topic to my "HPR Shows to create" list.

Looking forward to your next show!
-- Paulj

archer72 says: Thank you for sharing

RE: hpr4387::2025-05-27 Did she say she flew light aircraft?! by Elsbeth
00:29:26 Listen in ogg, opus, or mp3 format.
Hi,

Thank you for sharing your flight experiences.
It was interesting that both you and my wife grew up in Oregon, and that my Dad is also a Vietnam veteran.

He liked gas power model planes when I was growing up, the type which were fly-by-wire, or control line flying, which I just looked up.

https://web.archive.org/web/20060720184411/http://www.coxmodels.com/prodinfo.asp?number=006020

It was not quite like the link I just put, but was a solid blue one, which I think may have been a kit build.

Anyways, thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Looking forward to more shows.

-Archer72

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