Retired Pilot Gets Wish of a Lifetime Flight at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Once a pilot, always a pilot is a truism that was obvious during a special flight experience recently at Elite Aviation. Mary Gowans, at 95 years young, took to the air on November 8th, almost two decades after her retirement from flying, thanks to an arrangement with Elite Aviation through the AARP Wish of a Lifetime.

During her visit, Mary Gowans continuously expressed her love of flying and eagerly accepted the opportunity to be back in the pilot's seat. She was accompanied by her younger brother, Jack Miller (85), who flew along in the back seat of the plane, and her niece Alice Miller, both of whom worked to arrange the flight. Also there were some new friends from her assisted living residence.  

Daughter of a pilot, Mary Gowans was raised in University City but spent most of her adult life in East Lansing, MI teaching French, typing and other subjects and only returning to the St. Louis area this summer to be closer to family. Independent-minded, in her forties she took a year off to live in France with family and then, in her mid-sixties, she earned her Private Pilot Certificate after being introduced to local general aviation on a flight over the northern waterways. She flew for about ten years, attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh annually, until 2002, when she started having a medical issue that ended her flying days. Undaunted, she continued to pursue other interests, including geology and astronomy, while promoting women in aviation with memberships in organizations such as the Ninety-Nines. 

"When she puts her mind to something, she does it!" Mary Gowans' niece Alice Miller told The Aero Experience. "She flew because she could. She is unstoppable and generous with the people around her. She loves to teach things to people, she loves to share her experiences. She is just really giving."

Jack and Alice Miller arranged for the Wish of a Lifetime Flight, and the day chosen was a beautiful fall November afternoon as if custom ordered. Mary Gowans met her pilot, Elite Aviation CFI Michael Andrew, in the lobby before they moved out to the apron where the pre-flighted aircraft was waiting. It did not take long for her pilot training to kick in, and she began checking the engine air intakes for obstructions and examining the propeller during her own impromptu pre-flight inspection. 

Mary Gowans was helped into the left seat, and her brother Jack Miller, a much taller man, was eased into the back seat. She immediately began discussing the plane's instruments, radios and other cockpit items with Elite Aviation owners John and Donna Tipton. Then it was time for her to exchange her heavily ornamented hat for a headset and have the seat harness properly adjusted. 

The 2:30 P.M. startup was made directly in front of the Elite Aviation hangar, with everyone outside cheering as the plane pulled away. The 1.5 hour flight included an Arch fly-by over downtown St. Louis and a loop back southwest to view family farm property from the air. 

It was clear upon their return that all enjoyed the flight, though Jack Miller said it was getting a wee bit bumpy in the back seat. "I enjoyed it, I certainly did!" Mary Gowans said after the flight. Jack Miller added, "After flying like that, you just want to take lessons yourself!"  

In a post-flight video greeting, Mary Gowans again thanked Wish of a Lifetime, Elite Aviation and all who made her flight possible. "A pilot could not ask for a better day to fly. Mike, the pilot, was like a friend that I'd known for a long time. I certainly enjoyed every minute of it!"

Here we feature the post-flight activities, including posing for photos with her brother Jack Miller and Elite Aviation's Michael Andrew and John Tipton. Logbook signoff and presentation of gifts followed before the conclusion of their visit. 

The Aero Experience thanks Mary Gowans and her family, the AARP Wish of a Lifetime program and Elite Aviation for making this unforgettable flight experience a reality!