Air Travel

Posted by Dr. Reginald D. Terry on November 14th, 2009 filed in Comfort, Encouragement, Perseverance, Suffering, Survival, Thanksgiving

A cold and dreary atmosphere permeated much of the east coast in the wake of Ida—a much anticipated hurricane that was eventually reduced to a tropical storm. Although the weather conditions resultant from the gulf winds were downsized somewhat, low cloud cover produced dense fog over a great portion of the eastern sea board and threatened air traffic for many travelers. Several flights were actually cancelled due to strong winds that made flying absolutely unsafe. Thankfully (and nervously, I must admit), our direct flight from Newark to Omaha did not make that list. The take-off was extremely choppy and reaching a comfortable cruising altitude all but seemed impossible. In spite of it all, we pressed on!

The science of air travel has always fascinated me. Even more intriguing is the confusion of flying when there is no visibility. I still cannot fathom this process. After years of boarding and deplaning aircraft, I finally decided to ask the pilots when we were aground. My question was a simple one: How in the world do you maneuver this huge jet through dense cloud cover and the often in darkness when in truth you cannot see? I know this is the case, because from my seat (as a passenger), I can’t see. Their response to me was interesting. They conceded my observation was true. From the cockpit, their view was the same as mine; but they said they didn’t need to see. The planes, they reported, are equipped with an instrument panel and multiple sensors. All they needed to do was pay attention to the indicators, and they could almost always land on any runway to within mere feet. I got happy!

If the manufacturers of these large big-iron birds could design airplanes with the essential equipment capable of navigating just about every conceivable condition, how much more, then, does it make sense that our Manufacturer has also equipped us with critical sensors to negotiate every circumstance we face. Through a shifting economy, unemployment, tough times, and more, we have already been equipped to survive, and even overcome.

Be a witness today and find someone who may be struggling and just say to them, “You can make it; God has already willed it so!” Be encouraged, my brothers and sisters!