We don't need much paperwork because there is a central authority which regulates aircraft. The school where I would rent my craft recognizes and cooperates with this authority. The Cessna they would rent to me is safe and free to travel across the United States. My freedom to travel this way exists not in a "natural" anarchic state, but in a carefully developed and maintained structure. Just as a Japanese gardener works to make his garden appear "nature-like," our society works to preserve accessible skies.

Third we should look at the fiscal means to access this airspace.
I can actually consider flying to see my daughter without having to sell everything I own to do so. Although I am a blue-collar worker, I have been able to obtain a pilot's license and continue to fly weekly.

I can rent a modern well-maintained aircraft for the flight to California at a rate that, although it would mean some tight months ahead, would not be impossible to afford. Flying is open to people of modest means because our culture has allowed people to spend time and money pursuing the dream of flight in its many variations. Enough of these dreams have been similar to mine so that their interest and investment in personal flight has built an inexpensive easy to use airspace system.

My ability to fly from my local airport to California is the result of our society's, government's and industry's ability to shape itself around the dream first represented by the Wright's achievement.

Stephen Till is a contractor with a lifelong love of aviation. Starting from his wife's gift of flying lessons on his fortieth birthday, he has gone on to become a competitive aerobatic pilot and is working on his instrument rating. He lives in Carlisle, MA with his wife, who has recently fulfilled her dream of becoming an attorney, and without his three children who are off pursuing their own dreams. He is the vice president of the New England Aerobatic Club (Chapter 35 IAC) and a member of AFSA (the American Free Skies Association).