I recently experienced several exciting events, my first passage cruising through the Panama Canal, and, zip lining through the treetops and jungles of Costa Rica. But just yesterday, I added another "must do" to my bucket list and that was equally exhilarating and exciting, and it is right here in your own backyard.

Walking up to and gazing at the face of the Historical Flight Foundation's DC-7 aircraft is eye opening to start. climbing into a part of the past adds another level of adrenaline to kick in. Upon entering the aircraft you step back in time and are amazed at the size and spaciousness of this piece of aviation history.

Although I traveled an average of a hundred thousand miles a year for several decades in aircraft of all shapes and sizes including a recent trip half way around the world in an A-380, I could not get over my excitement as we found our seats and buckled in.

There was that bit of anticipation as the four radial engines came alive with smoke and flames, like rising out of the past and shouting " You've ain't seen nothing yet" as the pre-flight run up and check list was put through the paces by our experienced pilot and crew members. Getting back to those engines, I learned a long time ago when I first started working on aircraft that the more engines the better when speeding through the air in a metal tube 500 or more feet from the round. So four "powerplants" roaring outside gives me a very calming reassurance that we have plenty of juice to get us where we are going.

Barreling down the runway with flames blasting out of the exhaust, I realized that this was going to be another outstanding experience in my life, and as I looked around at my fellow passengers, their faces and smiles were likely in the same cloud as I was at that wheels up moment too.

Now you all probably remember during every flight when you're waiting for the pilot to turn off that darn seat belt sign, so that you can at least relax and spread out a little, well as we powered into our air space at approximately 500 feet, it seemed like it was only seconds where you realized you were free. Roger Jarmen, our host and leader of this expedition came aft and coaxed everyone to get up and relax, our next segment of our journey had just begun. We cruised along Miami beach and dipped our wing 10 degrees to the right and there we were cruising down some of the most notable and beautiful beaches in the world. I strategically sat in an emergency row on the right side as all the sights would be there with a south bound direction to the Keys.

The reconditioned aircraft interior was quite quiet except for the cheerful occupants and the clicking of cameras capturing memories in a box. There were trips up to the cockpit, something that doesn't happen in the world we now live in, again bringing you back in time to a moment when being airborne in a power packed four engine flying machine was a place where people actually wore suits and their best clothes to accompany the grandeur of flying.

Aside from the extreme beauty of the beaches and turquoise water below, the faces of buildings going by was one piece of excitement after another seen through the oversized windows of this proud DC-7.

I asked Brian one of the pilots of this beautiful machine what our speed was and he surprised me with 220 knots on our first leg of the trip.

As there was an open house and air show at the Key West Airport, we were evidently prompted to buzz the downtown city including Duval and Front Street after a quick turn back from our heading towards Havana.

Though it was a little after eight o'clock in the morning, I am sure the early risers and late night partiers received their wake up call from the roar of those flame throwing radials as we descended onto the runway like we owned it and we did. We immediately caused a stirring of aviators and spectators from tops of hangars and roofs of FBO's the waving and the celebration began when the mighty DC-7 arrived.

We all disembarked as celebrities, thanks to the presence of the DC-7. The passengers walked along the static display of exotic and flying machines of the past and then off to catch a breakfast in the main city of the "Conch Republic".

The Keys is also a time machine type moment, for you think you are in a perennial Mardi Gras, and Hemingway is just across the bar. We visited the Hogs Breath, where it is five o'clock all the time and the famous pirate establishment, Captain Tony's. Now Capt. Tony, Errol Flynn, and most all who spent many a night have departed but I met the Captain a year before his death in 2007 and he was amazingly spry and devious as his 90 plus years of devilment preceded his departure from the pirates Republic.

Returning to the air show and the event was flawless, except for the cab driver mentioning that Key West is not as it used to be. But, what is, really.

The take off was almost as dramatic as the landing as the many locals and visitors of the Conch Republic waved us all good bye.

So if you have not had the DC-7 experience, you are missing the boat! It is truly times gone by in a flying tube. It is what some of you may vaguely remember about the excitement of flying in a large aircraft, and about how times have changed. If nothing else, it gives you a clear perspective on aviation flight and just how life was 50 plus years ago. It is truly a "time machine" if you let yourself go. And you have to know where you've been, to truly know where you are today and where you are heading tomorrow.

I have attached some photos, to heighten the image, but only having the experience will give you the true understanding of the thrill we had yesterday.

Clear skies and regards,

Dan Sullivan