The Parable of the Pilot

About 32 years ago when Barbara and I got married, he had about 20,000 hours in the air. Dad Faux was a pilot. Not just any pilot, he had flown more planes of more types than I can name, after all, 20,000 hours in the air is like ten years of regular 40 hour work weeks. He had been to Hawaii 55 times. He had flown bombing and fighting missions over Germany and France during World Ward II, had flown cargo and transport missions to Viet Nam, and hundreds of missions both secret and support in between. Last night at the viewing a few of Dad's flying friends told me that on one occasion Dad was flying a mission over Germany in WWII when 5 Messerschmidt's intercepted him. Because the P61 Black Widow night fighter was much more maneuverable and because he was a superior pilot, he was able to make a really tight turn and come back around on the Messerschmidts. He was able to shoot one down, do a quick dive and recovery and come up again under one forcing it into another nearby plane, thus taking out 3 of the 5 before heading for home. They (Bruce Despain) said that he was the best commander, a great pilot and even better person and friend.

He was not only a VFR (visual flight rules) rated pilot, but also an IFR (instrument flight rules) rated pilot. That means that he was trained to be able to fly safely avoiding other aircraft, mountains or obstacles or fly over the ocean where there are no landmarks and everything looks the same as far as the eye can see, using solely the instrument panel and radio guidance. Cruising in clouds or at night at altitudes over 30,000 feet and at speeds over 500 miles per hour he knew where he was going and how to get there safely.

Yes indeed, Dad Faux was a pilot. He would prepare and file his flight plan before taking off, taking all the necessary precautions to make his flight successful. Now flying is quite an interesting phenomenon. From the moment that the plane leaves the ground it is off course. Once airborne the pilot makes the necessary corrections and adjustments to get back on course. As he gains altitude, the winds change and again the plane is blown off course–sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. By consulting his instruments, checking his maps and monitoring his radio signal again the pilot makes the necessary corrections to get back on course. When the plane is encompassed in a cloud it is impossible for the pilot to see where he is going. During those times he must rely entirely on the instruments along with the signals emitted from the radio beacons strategically placed along the route to help with navigation. At night and in bad weather, with his radio to prompt him, he constantly adjusts and corrects to keep the plane on course. It is quite amazing that 99% of the time the plane is off course, but as long as the pilot makes the needed course corrections 100% of the time the plane makes it to the final destination.

You don't usually hear a lot from the pilot. He may welcome you aboard and give some basic instructions, maybe even point out a few interesting sights, but mostly he just quietly flies the plane. He tries to choose a route that will be least dangerous. One that won't bounce around so much as to make you air sick or spill your orange juice. He tries to make it a smooth flight.

Dad Faux has made his final earthly flight. It has been in character with his entire life. He knew his desired destination. He filed his flight plan long ago. He made the necessary course corrections by consulting with Mom, his ace co-pilot, using his maps and listening to those inspired signals. There was never any doubt if he was headed in the right direction. And what is more, he was helping all of us aboard to get our bearings right. He showed us how to use the maps and to listen for the signals. We will miss him–his strong, silent, keen sense of direction. We hope that we can remember what he taught us to make the corrections for ourselves now that he has let us fly on our own.

Our lives have been richer and our view more expansive because of you Dad and we will always remember and be grateful for all you have done for us. Among a myriad of other wonderful things, you taught us the "Parable of the Pilot" by the way you lived. Thank you. We love you.

Honoring Grandmother and Grandfather Faux

With Veterans Day approaching, and our thoughts and prayers turned to Grandmother and Grandfather Faux, it seems a good time to share memories of a conversation with them on Veterans Day in 2004, when we learned about their courage and sacrifice in protecting our country.

Grandfather was on active duty in the Air Force for ten years, and after that he was a reservist and worked as a civilian at Hill Air Force base. He logged 18,000 hours as a pilot and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He flew a P-61 "Black Widow" fighter bomber in World War II. He flew night missions, including bombing runs and dog fights over France and Germany. As pilot, he was accompanied by a "radar" officer, who was located in the back of the plane. There were eight guns in the plane, four at the front and four in the rear. Grandfather could fire them with the touch of a button.

Grandfather said he lost four buddies in WW II, members of the group that he signed up with. (Grandmother’s aunt lost a son, and her aunt’s sister also lost a son.) Grandfather and two of his brothers fought in the war, but they all came home safely.

Grandfather said that one time when his aircraft was on the ground, the enemy bombed the area and the airplane next to his was destroyed. He participated in the ART program, where he helped to train new pilots.

Grandfather was scheduled to go to Korea, but his assignment was changed. He was also scheduled to go to Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis, but the mission was canceled just four hours before they were to leave. The Cuban missile crisis took place in 1962 during the Kennedy administration. At the time, Barbara was almost 11, Scott 13, and Nelson 15. Grandfather explained that at the time of the crisis the Russians were poised to take over Cuba and we were going to defend it. We commnted that Grandmother must have been very relieved when he didn’t have to go to Cuba, but she replied that she hadn’t even known about it because it was a secret mission. Evidently there were other secret missions that he did participate in that he couldn't talk about.

During the Vietnam war, Grandfather would switch from the reserves to active duty about every six weeks for two to three weeks or even a month at a time, to fly supply and bombing missions in Vietnam. He also carried soldiers who parachuted out over enemy territory. At the time he was a Major in the Air Force. Grandmother would be left home alone to watch over the children and handle all the decision-making and work by herself, all the while, no doubt wondering about Grandpa’s safety. It was a real sacrifice for them both.

We are very proud of you, Grandmother and Grandfather Faux, and grateful for your service to our country. We love you!