Remember When You First Fell For Flight?

The little boy was probably four or five years old and he moved with that side-to-side rocking gait -- the one that any stressed-out young parent will tell you, only looks slow. Junior rocketed across a street with Dad, Mom and siblings in a disarrayed trail.

"This one, Daddy. THIS one!" and he beelined for a Cirrus. "I like this one!"

It's hard to fault Junior's taste in planes; a couple of moments of joking with his dad established that the kid was the big plane fan in the family, even though Dad flies. "He probably got it from me."

Advice to Junior: learn to be a doctor and then buy the plane.

But watching the kid look at the sleek glass speedster with absolute love in his eyes told us that wasn't going to happen. I Gotta Fly Disease has claimed another victim, before the little guy even made it to kindergarten. He's gonna be a pilot -- may God have mercy on his soul.

The kids are one of the few undiluted joys to be found on the airshow circuit. You might be tired, tender of foot and cranky of mind, but seeing a kid light up for the first time is all the refreshment you need.

Craig Muth, a US Dealer for Supermarine Aircraft of Brisbane, Australia, can't resist a kid's query: "Mister, is this your airplane? Can I sit in it?"

Now, remember, Muth has the only Spitfire Mk 26 in the USA, a gorgeous 80% replica of the timeless British classic. And he's been shooing away adults who want to sit in it, pretty much all day.

So of course, he says, "Sure thing, kid, climb aboard." True, he's mighty particular about where the kid can step, and what he might grab hold of (and what not). But the kid is equal to the task. Under the proud and watchful eye of his parents, and the guidance of Muth, the kid simulates a flight.

He's well behaved and inquisitive, a model student in every way, and his brother is up next. Sitting in a real airplane! It doesn't get much better than that.

Now a new kid shows up, and Muth hoists him, too, into the pilot seat.

He didn't really set out to be a Disney attraction, but how can he say no? He can sit in a Spitfire replica any time he likes. These kids, on the other hand, might never get such a chance again.

And it might just make the difference between having a lifelong love of aviation, and not.

But kids, do yourselves and your posterity a favor: get that MD degree, first. THEN learn to fly.

You'll be glad you did.

FMI: Read ANN's Coverage of Lakeland 2006, www.supermarineaircraft.com