AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2019 - 73

BRIAN SHOWS HIS FATHER some of the features of the Airbus A321

before their departure for Kona (below). Barry ruminates about
his past and Brian's future (left).

involved him giving me dual instruction for
my glider rating at Dillingham Airfield on the
northwest tip of Oahu.
I spent most of my last five years with
TWA wearing out the route between
Hawaii and California, which adds to the
sentimentality of this flight.
A favorite pastime during quiet
moments on those flights over the middle
of the ocean was to play The High and the
Mighty on a nose flute over the air-to-air
frequency. (A nose flute is a small, plastic musical instrument that you can buy
for a buck and is remarkably easy to play.)
I have been told that my "broadcasting"
that haunting melody from the classic
1954 movie of the same name developed
a far-flung reputation.
Comments made by pilots monitoring
the frequency were priceless. The ghost
of John Wayne's character surely lurks
in the night sky along that transpacific
airway. Many of the younger pilots who
heard the music didn't have a clue, so the
elders had to explain. Then the frequency
would fall silent, and the dark sky would
once again become lonely.
Before departing on this flight with
Brian at the helm, I gave him a packet
of special "flight equipment"-items not
provided by his airline nor required by
the FAA. Included was a nose flute with
which I hope he continues the tradition.
I attribute my well-developed attitude
toward aviation safety to my father. He
taught me well through word and deed. I am
often asked if I am related to Barry Schiff.
Before answering, though, I invariably ask,
"Does he owe you any money?" Following in
his footsteps is challenging. He leaves large
footprints separated by long strides. Because
I am his son, aviation people seem to expect

a lot of me, which is a good thing. It provides additional motivation to be as good a pilot and
instructor as I can be. Being my father's son has made me a better pilot.
Throughout the flight to Kona I had to fight the urge to pass a note to the cockpit to
let Brian know that I was available to assist should any problems arise. It seemed a natural thing to do. A part of me still feels that I am his instructor, even though those days are
obviously long gone. But isn't a father supposed to have his son's back? It was a foolish
thought, of course. What do I know about fly-by-wire, computerized airplanes? Besides,
the FAA considers me persona non grata, no longer welcome in an airline cockpit.
One of our most memorable airline flights together occurred on June 21, 1998. It
was my retirement flight, and TWA management had arranged for Brian to be my first
officer on that Boeing 757-a father-and-son crew. What made this even more special
was that it was Father's Day.
My present, though, was something far more precious than a tie that never gets worn.
By following in my footsteps, Brian was gifting to me his tacit approval of who I am and
what I do. But he is no longer following footsteps; he is blazing an enviable career path
of his own. I could not be prouder of who he is and what he has become. But the most
gratifying tribute is when someone asks, "Are you related to Brian Schiff?"
AOPA
barryschiff.com
Editorial Note: Brian continues to move in lockstep with his father and recently
purchased a Citabria with which to teach his son, Jonathan-Barry's grandson-to
fly, thus ensuring a third-generation aviator in the family.
aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 73

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2019

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