Despite how unfashionable they are, some old ideas are still quite good, like this one:
When I was 21, the U.S. Navy taught me how to fly an airplane.
We practiced for a while in a flight simulator, and eventually the opportunity came to do the real thing.
With an instructor sitting behind me in the cockpit, I started the engine, taxied out to the runway, got clearance for takeoff, set the power, scanned the instruments and released the brakes. For a guy who had always dreamed of flying, this was pretty exciting stuff! As we raced down the runway and lifted off, I savored the moment.
“Is there anything you want to do now?” the instructor asked, shortly after we were airborne.
“No,” I said. “Everything seems to be going well.”
“Do you notice anything about the aircraft?” he insisted.
Well, now that he mentioned it, the plane was kind of slow. I re-checked the power settings, which were correct. The instruments looked good. What was dragging us down?
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