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> He flew west in 1997 at the age of 74. I’ve never heard that euphemism before. I quite like it.
by senkora 3y ago
> He flew west in 1997 at the age of 74.
I’ve never heard that euphemism before. I quite like it.
- I_Byte 3y agoThis article, while not specifically about the euphemism, details it's origin and use among pilots. https://captain-al-speaking.com/2018/12/06/flying-west/ https://captain-al-speaking.com/2018/12/06/flying-west/
- xtiansimon 3y agoGoing to the west as euphemism for death is mentioned on the History of Egypt Podcast (that’s Ancient history, if you didn’t guess).
- sowbug 3y agoRead Wolfgang Langewiesche's America from the Air: An Aviator's Story if you want to read some of the best writing about the romance of flying.
- selimthegrim 3y agoI’m assuming this is the father of William?
- sowbug 3y agoCorrect! Current editions include a foreword written by William. Wolfgang is much better known for Stick And Rudder, which is about technical aspects of aviation.
- m3047 3y agoIf you want romance of flying, and depending on your style of "romance", you might try _Glacier Pilot_ a biography of Bob Reeve who came back from flying in South America as a bush pilot with undiagnosed polio, made it to Alaska, and perfected the art of crash landing on glaciers as a perfectly normal way of doing business. The book was written by Beth Day (Romulo?) who I believe was his granddaughter.
- dabluecaboose 3y agoMy granddad (WW2 air vet) used to give his father's (WW1 air vet) toast to the whole family every thanksgiving: Here's to the sands of the hourglass, a measure of time as it flies; Here's to the men who flew West today, Three cheers for the next man who dies!
- smdyc1 3y agoI vaguely remember this from reading Biggles. I think came from pilots getting shot down over enemy lines on the western front in WWI.