Most Americans think that small power planes are 'extremely dangerous', and whenever it slips out that I fly gliders, casual acquaintances think that I'm 'totally nuts'. The people that already know me well before they find out about my piloting are usually surprised because... 'But, you seem so normal!'

I think your experience is unusual.

Not completely. When I was younger, the fact that many people viewed my gliding as "extreme" enhanced the appeal of soaring. Even in high school in the 60s, not everyone wanted to be thought of as "normal" (read: boring).

Chip Bearden