My father, Fran Markette, flew fighters for the Air Force for 20 years. When he retired in 1984 I asked him, “Pop, what are you going to do now, fly for the airlines?” I received the quick reply, “When Mario Andretti stops racing do you think he’s going to get a job as a bus driver?” Well, I guess not.
On my father’s last mission he flew his F5 to the range, unloaded all of his ordinance, did some stunts and then returned to base for his final landing. He walked off the tarmac and never took the controls again. Today January 14th, Fran Markette turns 70 and he is returning to the sky in the same plane that he took his first flight in, a Cessna.
Good luck pop. Have fun. And please know that even at age 70 it’s okay to pretend to hit the pickle button.