Article July 2, 2012 Issue

Riding on air

Jenna Caruthers

First appeared as a web original on May 16, 2012

Have you ever felt that you were riding on air—high in a vast, silent sky, leaning “on the sustaining infinite”? I felt that a few months ago when I was invited to take a lesson with a glider pilot. Yes, in the air! 

Let me explain. That phrase comes from the opening lines of the Preface to Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health, which reads, “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings” (p. vii). It was during my gliding lesson that I gained a really helpful understanding of that passage. 

I recall that the snug cockpit of the Grob 103 Twin Astir glider seemed to be the most peaceful place, though my mind screamed reminders that we were a couple of thousand feet above terra firma—without an engine! The instructor sitting behind me directed me to turn into a circular path above a lake, and a glance at the altimeter confirmed the descent. We spun down to about 1,000 feet, and then leveled out to take a short hop that positioned the craft over busy downtown Frederick, Maryland. The audio-variometer began noisily ticking off “lift” as we soared to 6,000 feet. I was amazed at the stunning view. Ignoring my mind’s panic, and by listening closely to my instructor’s directions, I made the aircraft dance with the clouds.