Encouragement from 30,000 Feet
Encouraging Stories from a Pilot’s View
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The weather at our destination is 100’ overcast and 1/2 mile visibility, which is right at the ILS (instrument landing system) minimums. We are on top of the overcast at 30,000’ having a smooth ride in bright sunshine. At a little over 100 miles away, air traffic control tells us to cross a fix that is 30 miles from the airport at 10,000 feet and at 250 knots indicated airspeed. I dial in 10,000’ into the Flight Control Panel, push the knob, and the aircraft starts a programed descent that will have it level at 10,000’ and slowed to 250 knots at the proper time.
During the descent my first officer gets the latest weather report arrival gate information from another onboard computer. After four hours of nearly nothing happening, we are now getting busy for the arrival. I brief the arrival procedure along with the details of the ILS approach and verify the information is properly loaded into the FMC (flight management computer). Passing 18,000 feet, I call for the Descent– Approach checklist. After completing that, the first officer makes a PA announcement to the passengers thanking them for flying with us and giving them the latest weather at the airport. We've been in the clouds and haven't seen anything since we entered them at 25,000’...
Reflecting on this approach, you can see how things got very busy and intense, and then, at the last minute we broke out of the clouds and were able to land successfully. I’m reminded how this happens a lot as we fight life's battles. Perhaps you're in a spiritual battle and it seems like you're also in a dark cloud with no hope and no end in sight. I want to encourage you to continue your approach, and stay on course. Your breakthrough could be today. Years ago I was going through a very difficult time...
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About the Book
Greg and I met over twenty years ago and discovered we shared a mutual love for flying and for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Being very close in seniority, we have never had the pleasure of flying together, but I have flown with many of his co-pilots, and they all share the same opinion as I do: Captain Johnston is the real deal! If you would like a glimpse into the world of commercial aviation and an excellent source of encouragement, then this book is for you.
—Captain Dan Mack (American Airlines)
Captain Greg Johnston combines his thirty-plus of years of experience on the flight deck to form this book of encouragement. Although the flight scenarios he shares apply to aviation, the biblical principles they illustrate will also apply, in a unique way, to daily life. This is a very good read for anyone, not just the aviation enthusiast alone.
—First Officer Ann Smith (American Airlines)
About the Author
Captain Greg Johnston flies the Airbus A-321 for American Airlines. He resides in Pascagoula, Mississippi with his wife, Beth. Greg began flying in October, 1973 at the age of 16. He began instructing student pilots while in College at the University of Mississippi. After obtaining his degree, he moved to Montgomery, Alabama where he began his career working up the ranks as a flight instructor, charter pilot, and corporate pilot. Finally, in May of 1986, he was hired by USAir and began flying as a first officer on the DC-9. In 1988 Greg flew a trip with a captain who shared his faith and stirred his interest. It was after that trip that he began seeking God, and while reading John’s gospel, received Christ as his personal Savior.