Chapter 4 Excerpt: Preflight Prayer & Scripture
With a smile, Lancer said to Lindsey, “You’ll get a kick out of this flight, Lindsey. Let’s get the Roughrider out of the hangar and get airborne.”
Lance walked over to the J3 and placed his Nav bag in the rear seat. He removed the chocks from the main gear wheels and placed them on the cockpit's floorboard. He then walked around to the front of the J3, where there was a tow-bar attached to the main landing gear wheels. Pulling on the tow-bar and backing up toward the ramp outside the hangar, the aircraft moved slowly across the level and smooth hangar floor.
Once the J3 was about ten yards in front of the hangar, Lancer let it roll to a stop and replaced the wheel chocks. He set the parking brake, removed the tow-bar, released the control locks, and turned to Lindsey.
“I’ve got to do a quick preflight inspection. You can follow me around, and I’ll explain what I’m doing and why.”
Lindsey flashed Lancer a smile, replying, “I’d love to. You’re trying to get me hooked on flying, aren’t you?”
Lancer laughed. “I think everyone should experience the thrill of flying.”
Lancer checked the fuel, engine oil, ailerons, elevator, and rudder movement of the J3 aircraft during his walk around.
Lancer and Lindsey arrived back at the cockpit, where he had started the inspection.
“Now just one more step to make it safe to fly, and you can join me on this one. Step up here next to me and place your hands on the wing strut next to mine.”
Unsure of what to expect, Lindsey complied and followed Lancer, placing her hands on the right wing strut.
As she did, Lancer turned to Lindsey and said, “Like my great-grandfather always did, I always finish my preflight with a prayer and scripture for safety and success. Would you join me?”
“Of course,” Lindsey replied as she bowed her head with her hands on the strut-altar.
Lancer spoke, “Gracious father and master life pilot: we pray You will watch over Lindsey and me as we embark on this flight. Keep our aircraft safe and guide my actions as we soar upward to witness the beauty of Your earth and sky created for us to experience and enjoy. Bless our flight together and bring us safely back to this very spot. I pray in Your son, Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Lindsey echoed.
"I said a prayer before the fight started in the simulator cockpit today, not expecting to use the hide-in-the-cloud tactic. I think God planted that concept in my mind for just the right moment to make it successful. No way I could have preconceived that maneuver until it happened. I thank God for giving me that edge.”
“He is the Master Pilot of our lives, Lancer,” Lindsey added.
“Well, I have one more preflight ritual as I board the aircraft. I always recite my preflight scripture: Romans 8:38 and 39.”
Lindsey interjected, “Oh, that’s one of my favorite scriptures! Let me recite it.”
“Go ahead.”
Lindsey spoke, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“Well spoken, Lindsey. That is an appropriate scripture for me as a carrier pilot. It specifically references ‘height nor depth’. As you leave the catapult track off the carrier bow and are just fifty feet above the water, suspended between the highest height and the deepest depth, you glance at the airspeed to ensure you are flying and not falling. It also mentions ‘death nor life’ and ‘angels.’ When you fly a strike fighter, one instant you are wearing aviator wings, and the next instant you may be wearing angel wings. Reciting this verse convinces you to somewhat set aside fear.”
“Right, enough with that. Let’s get you strapped in and go fly.”