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again, mom, but we are still fight- ing battles of one sort or another all over the world – now it’s COVID. And even though an airline pilot’s life is extremely structured and repetitive, I have had more mechanical and pas- senger situations at the airlines than I had in military and private flying combined. I’ve had engine failures, a handful of generator and hydraulic failures and unruly or non-compliant passengers that I’ve had arrested. Thankfully, the judgment you helped me to develop guided me through it all. But don’t worry, I’ll be retiring very soon.
No More Pilots
I raised a family of my own, like ours. Except that I had to learn about little girls – turns out they’re amazing. I understand that now, even without the neurochemical reactions. None of them had any interest in flying, though, so the flying gene will end with me – no more Dingman pilots. You’re probably glad to hear that. The moms of pilots are probably a lot like
each other because we pilots are a lot alike. Somewhere in the lives of us pilots, there is someone like you that felt apprehensive about us flying and about little airplanes. But they saw us through the learning process, the cross-countries and the check rides. Some, like you, worry about us still. But the Duke is a very nice, bigger, little airplane. I love it, and I’m care- ful. So, try to relax, mom. You did a really good job. Thank you for laugh- ing with us in the best of times and sticking with us through the worst of times. Happy Mother’s Day.
Short N Numbers
Kevin Dingman has been flying for more than 40 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 28,000 hours in his logbook. A retired Air Force major, he flew the F-16 and later performed as an USAF Civil Air Patrol Liaison Officer. He flies volun- teer missions for the Christian orga- niz tion Wings of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beechcraft Duke.Contact Kevin at dinger10d@gmail.com.
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May 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 25