"Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for." Tennessee Williams

Freedom to birds is the ability to fly, to soar, to make their own decision on where to go. Does freedom mean the same thing to everybody? I would think not. Freedom to someone that used to be on Death Row may mean a second chance at life. Freedom to someone that works a stressful job may be the weekend when they do not have to care about responsibilities. Freedom to a dog or cat may be as simple as being able to go into different rooms within a house. So what does freedom mean to you and when do you experience your greatest moment of freedom?

My greatest moment of freedom came when I was 17-years-old. I hadn't moved out of my parents house. I hadn't purchased a new vehicle. I didn't receive a new cell phone. Freedom came to me after I started taking flying lessons. I had been learning how to take off, control it in the air and how to land it for a number of months. I vividly remember doing a few takeoffs and landings with my instructor and after the fourth one he said, "Why don't you let me out on the next pass and you go solo." I couldn't believe it. I was going to fly all by myself. I would be in charge of an airplane that could regularly exceed 120 MPH. Only, I would control where I went! This was it!

I let my instructor out, checked all of my instruments, including my compass, fuel and elevator trim. I was ready! I back taxied down Runway 18, called the local traffic and stated, "Cessna Skyhawk, Seven-Three-Four-Bravo-Uniform. Takeoff Runway 18. Remain closed traffic." Knowing nobody was in the area, I did not wait for a response. I pushed the throttle all the way in to 2,400 RPM. The wheels started to roll forward, slowly picking up speed. I could see the distant trees rolling by on my right faster and faster. I was going nearly 60 MPH, having to fight the plane to keep it on the ground, continually pushing it down. At 67 knots, or approximately 74 MPH, I pulled up ever so slightly on the yoke and felt the plane bounce up off the ground like an eagle taking flight. I was airborne! I kept my plane in a steady climb position until I was 500 feet above the ground. At this point I leveled off, reduced my throttle, trimmed my air/fuel ratio and turned to the left so that I would remain in the airport traffic pattern. When I made that turn I saw the beautiful blue sky all around me and the town of Deridder 500 feet below me. My blood was pumping fast and furious! I was free! There was nobody there to hold me back. I could go up, down, left, right, faster or slower. Everything was determined with my own fingertips.

After my euphoric moment, I continued with my regular "dance" around the flight pattern. I leveled off the rpm at 1500, readjusted my trim level to keep me level, switched on my carburetor heat for deicing purposes and informed the local traffic that I was performing a full stop on Runway 18 in Deridder. It was all so basic and all of the procedures had been ingrained in me after doing it so many times. Yet, I will never forget that moment of freedom I experienced; all by myself, surrounded by the blue of the sky and the grace of a bird at my fingertips.