Robert Morien wrote:
In article v6Jse.13278$5s1.12355@trndny06,
George Patterson wrote:


Robert Morien wrote:


aw, come on. How does a 14 year old without any flying experience manage
to start an airplane, much less know how to control the throttle?

The ignition switch works just like a car, which he's seen used thousands of
times. The throttle on a 152 is exactly like that on a farm tractor and is
clearly labeled. I'd bet he's either been given rides in aircraft or driven a
tractor.




In which case the story might have reflected on how easy it was for a 14
year old to pick up the flying skills necessary just by watching someone
else do the flying.

But then again I'd bet the universe of 14 year olds that have driven a
tractor is pretty small.


I was kind of thinking that also. A 14 year old managed to steal a
plane and fly around for almost a half hour and although he crashed it,
he did not kill himself. It just shows how "easy" flying really is.
The real "hard" part is the book study learning the regs, etc. To get
your landing and maneuvers down smooth just takes practice.

And I have never lived on a farm but I drove a tractor by 14. I visited
a friends uncle's farm a few times and drove one their.