In less than 24 hours I was supposed to go on a record flight. My navigator and I are supposed to fly from here in Miami to Oakland, California. My navigator and I are flying in my plane, across the equator. I wanted to fly the same flight as Amelia Earhart, since she was my inspiration.
I heard a knock at my door which cut my thought process. My navigator, Leon Webber, was in my door frame. “It’s time to go, Miss Pelletier.” he said as he guided me out the door. We walked back out on to the track and hopped into Whirlwind.
Leon Webber was the navigator for this daring trip of mine. He and I went to the same school. I never knew he was interested in aviation all through school until he offered to join me on my first trip. He’s been my navigator …show more content…
I wasn’t sure what Leon was going to do. He refilled the tank for me and I leaned against Whirlwind. When he was done, we walked over to me and said, “You’re going on a suicide mission, Elsie. Is there any way I can convince you to--”
I cut him off, “No, Leon. This is my dream. I have to follow in Amelia’s footsteps. She would do something like this, too.”
“You’re going to follow exactly in her footsteps if you do this mission. You’ll disappear.” He responded, staring right into my eyes. I was shocked he said that. I wasn’t angry at him. I understand his feelings about it. It is a risky flight, but it wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t.
“Well, I’ll see you when I get home. After that, I promise to listen to my navigator for once.” I said as I got back into my plane. I started the propeller and flew off, feeling a little annoyed but more nervous.
It was dark as I flew over the Atlantic. The skies were calm and so was the water. I was surrounded by black as I passed over the halfway point of the Atlantic. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking because I was so nervous and upset. I was nervous because it was dark and I was upset because I wish I had Leon to accompany …show more content…
She was an amazing woman who could do anything. She was the first woman to fly a transatlantic flight. She was an amazing flyer and an inspiration to me. She taught me that girls can become pilots, too. She taught not to fear flights and to be happy about them and be full of energy each time I flew. I always wanted to follow in her footsteps because she was my role model. I did everything she did in her aviation, right down to the disappearance and death.
What must have been three days passed. I couldn’t move my body because it hurt so much. I tried to cover my body with water as frequent as I could to cool myself down and help my wounds. My body sizzled in the sunlight and my wounds festered. I was in complete agony and I blistered in the sun. I didn’t know what to do. I only had a limited amount of time left before infection spread and killed me. I wouldn’t even have the opportunity to starve to death. I was alone in this sea, and I would never see anyone ever