It was one of those perfect spring days in Springfield, Missouri—clear skies, warm sun, and just the right breeze. I had no idea the day would turn into one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Dr. Saibal Mitra, my professor and mentor, had invited me to go flying with him in his private plane. We met at his place in the morning, and after a quick chat and some light-hearted jokes about trusting a student in the air, we hopped into his sleek BMW and drove toward the local airport. He had a special airport access pass, so we were able to drive right up to the hangars, which felt surreal—like we were entering a world reserved for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
There it was—a compact, short-range aircraft, simple but beautiful in its own way. As we walked up to it, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Dr. Mitra did a quick pre-flight inspection, explaining each step to me, from checking fuel levels to inspecting the flaps. His confidence was reassuring.
Soon, we were taxiing down the small runway, and with a smooth throttle push, we were airborne.
The world shrank beneath us.
Springfield spread out like a model town—green fields, winding roads, tiny rooftops. I took the controls under his supervision. It was nothing like a flight simulator or even driving a car. The vibrations in the yoke, the constant adjustments, and the sensitivity of the controls made it a challenge. The plane responded to every little motion. At first, I over-corrected a lot, but Dr. Mitra calmly coached me through it, and eventually, I started to feel more in tune with the aircraft. I won’t say I was flying like a pro, but I was definitely flying.
We cruised for about an hour, looping gently over nearby countryside, occasionally spotting familiar landmarks from above. The sun lit up the cockpit, and we joked about how this was a lot more exciting than grading papers.
As we touched down and taxied back to the hangar, I couldn’t stop smiling. That one hour in the sky gave me a sense of freedom I’d never felt before. Flying is as much about trust and focus as it is about thrill, and I was lucky to experience it with someone as knowledgeable and patient as Dr. Mitra.
It was more than just a ride in a plane—it was a day I’ll always carry with me.
– December 2017
