on an aircraft carrier, the intense fellowship, and the metrics of having each landing scored in the ready room made for a combination that was hard for Owen to replace in his post-Navy flying. It wasn't the same flying as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. But find it he did, in a surprising place. Owen began flight lessons at age 15, paying $17 an hour for dual instruction, and then $12 an hour for solo flight with money he earned. By 18, he had added a commercial certificate and multiengine and instrument ratings, and was flying for a living. At 22 he secured a place at the U.S. Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station COMPETITORS DON parachutes and try to stay cool as they wait at their assigned places in the "grid" prior to launching (below). Spectators may follow the race online as gliders' positions are relayed by a tracker to a visualization program. www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 71http://www.aopa.org/pilot