Mac had always wanted to learn how to fly, and when Bequia’s airport opened in 1992 he began to think about it seriously. A fellow named Martin on Union Island had a private pilot’s license, and when Mac watched him land and take off at J.F. Mitchell in his little Grumman Tiger his yearning to fly grew stronger. Mac had turned 40 that year, a sure sign that he wasn’t getting any younger, and if he was going to fulfill his dream of flying a ‘plane he had to take action. When his friend Nik returned to Bequia flying a little single-engine Cherokee Mac became even more determined, and began to investigate how and where to take lessons, it was something he just HAD to do.
Mac wasn’t alone in his quest for a flight school; Kelly Glass from the mainland and Mikey Caldwell from Palm Island also wanted to learn how to fly, and they began to research where they could get training. They found out there was a well-established and reputable FBO (fixed base operation) and flight school in Crystal River, Florida, run by a couple named Tom and Gudi Davis. The Crystal Aero Group, founded in 1978, especially catered to foreign students, offering accommodation as well as lessons and certification, a perfect set-up for pupils far from home. Mac, Kelly and Mikey contacted the company, signed up for flying lessons, then packed their bags and flew to Florida.
I definitely had mixed feelings about the flight school venture. The house we had built was by no means finished, and the monthly mortgage payments were onerous. Although the Pizzeria and Villa Rentals were busy during the tourist season the tourist season was short, and those off-season months with no money coming in worried me. I just KNEW if Mac got a pilot’s license he would want to buy an airplane, and an airplane was something we simply couldn’t afford. However, learning how to fly was something Mac had dreamed about for a long time, it was something he just HAD to do!
Mac called from Crystal River pretty well every day with progress reports. He was obviously excited about lessons in the small Cessna, not so excited about lessons in the classroom. He got along well with one instructor, not so well with another, and the sleeping accommodations were great but the food was terrible. What came through loud and clear through the phone line was Mac’s happiness, he was enjoying the time away from home as well as the challenge of learning something new, and I admit I felt the odd stab of envy as I listened to him.
The lessons in the small Cessna 172 were intense. Before Mac could fly the ‘plane by himself he had to become proficient at take-offs, landings and navigation, and he did this with an instructor by his side. He was a bit impatient to do his first solo flight, but the instructor was adamant that Mac perfect his performance before being allowed to fly alone. After a few weeks Mac was given the green light, and told he would solo the following day. He called that night to tell us the news, excited that he would be flying the plane by himself. I told him I loved him before hanging up, then didn’t get a wink of sleep! I never told him how nervous I was about the whole flying scenario, I kept my anxiety to myself.
Mac’s first solo flight went without a hitch, he called as soon as he landed fairly bursting with pride and excitement. He then graduated to cross-country flights, and along with Kelly and Mikey was rewarded with a private pilot’s license. Mac looked different when he returned to Bequia, more mature perhaps, or maybe he just looked different because he had fulfilled a life-long dream. Flying was something Mac just HAD to do.