admirer in order to fly, or did she think to “end it all” in an airplane? I couldn’t guess, so told her, as I did all others who asked “how”, that the first step in learning to fly is to pass the physical examination given by the Department of Commerce.
I have been congratulated for swimming the English Channel, and being picked up by a ship near the Azores. So I received a few inquiries meant either for Gertrude Ederle or Ruth Elder (Camp, now). I have always felt that the three of us were somewhat thoughtless to have names all beginning with E.
One of my most frequent questions was, “Do you know Colonel Lindbergh?” Many had to do with sensations. How did it feel to fly high or low or fast or at all? Then there was one surprise package which does not surprise me any more. It was wrapped thus—and still is: “I am tremendously interested in aviation. I have always longed to go up in a plane but never had the chance. It must be wonderful to sail about in the blue sky.” Surprise. “Will you please send me your autograph?”
“My mother won’t let me fly.” In one form or another that was a plaint I heard many times.
In the early months of my editorship I evolved a list of “don’ts” for prospective flyers’ parents. Here they are:—do you want to try them on yours?
Don’t issue edicts against flying until you know something about it from experience.
