In the Spring of 2016, Dr. Smithies recorded his memories of his experiences as a pilot and flight instructor. These recordings were edited and are presented here in 18 “chapters,” each covering a different aspect of what he referred to as his “airplane adventures.”
Chapter 1: “Childhood”
Dr. Smithies explains growing up in a small English town and getting inspired to become a pilot when he saw a movie called “Biggles.”
Chapter 2: “First Logbook”
Dr. Smithies talks about what’s in his first pilot’s logbook, which details his first official flying lessons.
Chapter 3: “1977”
Dr. Smithies describes flying again after a 14-year hiatus. Included his first flight in a glider plane.
Chapter 4: “Medical Certificate”
Smithies has his medical certificate, (which is required for solo flying), withdrawn because he has hypertension. As a result, he learns instrument flying while he is forced to ride in the passenger seat.
Chapter 5: “Australia”
Dr. Smithies flies in Australia while on a scientific visit.
Chapter 6: “First Thunderstorm”
Dr. Smithies’s flying instructor and friend, Field Morey, tells Smithies to fly through a thunderstorm.
Chapter 7: “Aerobatics”
Dr. Smithies learns some aerobatic maneuvers, and meets the author of a favorite aerobatic manual while he’s visiting a friend in Sewannee, Tenn.
Chapter 8: “Firetruck Story”
On the flight back from his Sewannee visit, Dr. Smithies’s plane malfunctions and, in fear that he might need help, the airport calls a firetruck for assistance.
Chapter 9: “Color Blind”
Dr. Smithies talks about growing up with color blindness
Chapter 10: “Icicle Story”
Dr. Smithies has trouble keeping his plane at the right altitude and has to face either losing oxygen or having ice accumulate on his plane’s wings.
Chapter 11: “Famous Airports”
Dr. Smithies flew when it was still possible for a small, personal plane to fly into major airports like Chicago’s O’Hare. He talks about a few that he flew into.
Chapter 12: “‘I Think I’ll Sit for a Minute'”
Dr. Smithies and a friend run into trouble when flying to a convention.
Chapter 13: “Diamond Altitude”
Dr. Smithies trains to be able to fly in the coveted “diamond formation” in a glider plane.
Chapter 14: “Hawks”
Smithies talks about the unique way in which hawks are able to help pilots avoid danger.
Chapter 15: “Transatlantic Flight, Part 1”
Dr. Smithies begins training for his record-breaking transatlantic flight with Field Morey. They are on their way to attend the weeding of Dr. Smithies’s cousin.
Chapter 16: “Transatlantic Flight, Part 2”
Dr. Smithies and Morey start the actual journey toward England, by way of Iceland.
Chapter 17: “Transatlantic Flight, Part 3”
Dr. Smithies and Morey try to set another record-breaking flight as they fly back toward the U.S.
Chapter 18: “Transatlantic Flight, Part 4”
Smithies and Morey finish the last leg of their “great adventure.”