Page 53 - Volume 14 Number 4

I defy anyone attending any other kind of a professional sports event to say the same. In fact, go to almost any public event, even an Earth Day parade – the FOD is everywhere.
I’d easily believe in a vision (the concept, not the uber- awesome Cirrus jet) wherein every pilot at the parade simply picks up after him or herself, and slowly, almost imperceptibly, shake their head at the rest. They’d do so, not out of even the slightest kind of anger or contempt, nor any type of deeply-held feeling of moral superiority, but simply in an internal expression of sorrow that so many could be so uncaring about the common good. It would mean a lot, if we’d each do a little.
Such simple things, so easily done, would usher in a far better world for us all, if only they were thought of more often. Pilots tend to be thinkers.
Differences abound, to be sure, but they pale beyond measure beneath the overwhelming shadow of those countless human qualities which unite us all. EAA’s AirVenture emerges once again as a stellar example. Therein exists an exemplary microenvironment inhabited by both litterbugs and picker-uppers alike. Picker-uppers prevail year after year because of the pilot culture. But every single human being who moves freely about within this space, confined only by time and acreage, is there for only one reason ... they love things that fly, and those who can fly them. Okay, um, I guess that’s two reasons.
The bottom line is that aviation can be a strong, uniting force, no matter who you are. The only real difference between pilots and the rest of us is a piece of FAA-issued paper. That’s no inconsequential thing. Pilot certificates are hard-earned. That is why pilots are so highly respected by others within society, me included.
In my own heart, after nearly 50 years of life filled with dreams of flight, an airman’s insatiable thirst for aeronautical knowledge, and the precious few deeply-cherished hours invested in the cockpits of various types of private airplanes, I consider myself to be a pilot. I just can’t prove it on paper.
Dana Oxley spent 11 years onstage as a professional drummer, singer and stand-up comedian. He has appeared on network television
as an extra in motion pictures and was part of a two-man musical act,
Volume 14, Number 4
“Charles Street Symphony,” warming up live audiences nationwide for legendary comedian Redd Foxx. Though he has been kept grounded throughout his adult life due to medical issues for which he says, “The FAA has no sense of humor,” Dana remains an active member
of EAA, Angel Flight West, the Las Vegas IMC Club chapter and COPA. Despite the challenges, Dana manages to get a fair amount of stick time in various types of aircraft and has participated in three C2A mass arrivals. Today, Dana still lives in Las Vegas with his
wife of 43 years, Diane, and has worked for Caesar’s Entertainment for over 29 years.
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