Recently, while gardening on a clear, sunny day, I heard the throb of an aircraft engine in the distance. As the sound grew clearer I suspected it came from an older model, maybe powered by a vintage Continental, 90 hp or less.
The engine’s tone was relaxed, as if just cruising along at relatively low power, in no hurry. Soon a Cessna 140 appeared over a nearby ridge and flew overhead. It looked great with the sun shining on its cream-colored paint with dark blue trim. As usual I started thinking about how much fun it would be to own an airplane like that and travel in it regularly, low and slow enough to truly take in the surrounding splendor. I know I am not alone.