Twelve Years and Counting

About a dozen years ago, I saw my first Cessna 195 (about 200 are flying today). Its art deco appearance, classic lines, and “luxury with speed” stance sucked me right in. I was very fortunate to be able to do a quick pickup A2A with it a dozen years ago, but shortly after the plane crashed and was totaled (pilot walked away). Then came a decade dry spell when I would see one or two here and there but had no access to them. I kept looking and made a click here and there, but that was it.

Then last fall I got my first flight in one and it was magical! The 195 is on floats and our flight took us up and down the Columbia River. We were to do an A2A the following day but wildfire smoke came in making it 0/0. Then the next scheduled flight, a mechanical stopped the fun. Then winter and then … that’s the nature of following your passion to get a subject in a viewfinder. Now, I have not one but two scheduled A2A dates with two different 195s in the next month. I’m so counting the days, I can barely wait, it’s twelve years and counting.