When Old Pilots Go West

A place to relax and discuss flying topics.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

Post Reply
User avatar
bsdunek
Posts: 425
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:42 pm

When Old Pilots Go West

Post by bsdunek »

Saw this on the AOPA facebook page. Kind of nostalgic.

Flying West

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where pilots can go when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that a lady could go
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, my Son, I'm proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
>From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds, and the noise,
Where all hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
This is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test!"
— Captain Michael J. Larkin
Bruce
1950 170A N5559C
User avatar
johneeb
Posts: 1520
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 2:44 am

Re: When Old Pilots Go West

Post by johneeb »

Thanks Bruce, I flew a lot with Mike Larkin, he always led stimulating conversations.
John E. Barrett
aka. Johneb

Sent from my "Cray Super Computer"
User avatar
cessna170bdriver
Posts: 4059
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm

Re: When Old Pilots Go West

Post by cessna170bdriver »

I read this at my Dad's funeral. Much more appropriate for that occasion than High Flight, IMOH.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
Post Reply