Livinglovingandexploring!

1.  How did your family and friends react to your book? What about your grandkids?

This was my first foray into published writing and I’ve found this adventure to be challenging and rewarding. My family and friends love the book and the simple explanation of a rather intricate subject – how an airplane flies. I’ve received quite a few “Oh wow, this is a really great book with terrific illustrations!” I discussed my vision with my nephew, who is also my illustrator, for about an hour over the phone and he had free reign to use his imagination to create the artwork.  Our grandchildren love the book and have read it numerous times. They’re ready for the next book.

2.  As a retired pilot, what do you miss most about your job flying planes?

I don’t miss the long periods away from home or the numerous hotels I would stay in each week. What I truly miss is actually flying the airplane and the pleasure of a smooth takeoff, smooth flight and smooth landing to end the flight. This was the most challenging and satisfying part of the job. I also miss the comradery of my fellow pilots, the flight attendant crews and being on a mission. We do keep in touch via social media.

3.  What is your favorite quote? Why?

“Life is hard; it’s even harder when you’re stupid.” My interpretation of this quote is that life is hard enough but even harder if you continue down the same wrong road or continue to make the same mistakes. We are all human and make mistakes. The most important lesson is to not make the same mistake twice or to learn from our mistakes so we don’t make our life harder by repeating the same mistake. The same applies to behavior. My children have heard this many times as have many of the young pilots I had the pleasure of supervising and mentoring in aviation through the years.

4.  You’ve probably seen tons of interesting places throughout the years; are you able to pick a favorite?

This is a tough question! My wife and I love the beach and go there quite often. But, if I had to pick just one place, standing at the edge of Niagara Falls and feeling the power of the water and hearing the thunderous roar made quite an impression on me. Number two would be Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. We attended The Open golf tournament last year and checked off a big bucket list item.

5.  Your book is so informative! Do you intend to write any follow-up children’s books or books about your career and travels?

Yes. My second book in the series is entitled “Let’s Go Fly With Pop-Pop Airplane.” This book describes a child’s first trip to the airport and their first flight aboard an airliner. This book was scheduled for release in September of 2020. However, with the drastic changes brought about by COVID-19, we felt it was more prudent to delay release until the spring of 2021 when hopefully air travel will have returned to a more normal experience.

6.  How long, from beginning to end, did it take you to get the book together and get it published?

With encouragement from my wife, I wrote my first book to teach children (specifically our grandchildren) how an airplane flies. This was also because I learned that most parents don’t know exactly how to answer their children’s questions on this topic. We made initial contact with our publisher Brown Books in the fall of 2018. Then our book launched on 22 October 2019. The learning curve was somewhat steep and Brown Books did an excellent job of leading me through the process.

7.  You mention your grandkids in the dedication of “Pop-Pop”; aside from teaching them about airplanes, what’s your favorite way to spend time with them?

My job as a grandparent is to be a good role model and mentor for our grandchildren. We draw, color, take nature hikes and make things with balsa wood. I love encouraging them to use their imagination and learn to make something, for instance, out of a pile of wood. I do the cutting and they do the construction. I also play guitar and we play and sing whenever we get a chance.

8.  What are you looking to accomplish in say, the next five years?

I have a bucket list of travel destinations, a beach chair awaiting our arrival and grandchildren to spoil. Additionally, we plan on continuing our aviation and travel series for children with the on-going adventures of Pop-Pop Airplane.

9.  You gave Ashlie a list of your top ten tips for avoiding germs and illness while traveling. Did your years as a pilot influence those tips? What was the craziest unsanitary thing you ever saw a passenger do while in flight?

Yes, my years observing passenger behavior greatly influenced those tips. I know most passengers, prior to COVID-19, were/are totally unaware of the unsanitary conditions around them. This is not completely the fault of the airlines as they do an excellent job of cleaning and sanitizing their aircraft. The problem lies with passenger’s hygiene habits. No hand washing, allowing their children to crawl around in the waiting areas on the carpeting, walking around the aircraft barefoot (including into the lavatories), bringing pets onboard who relieve themselves on the seats and floors, etc. I will not elaborate on the two incidents I observed that were unbelievable.

10.  Who is your favorite author? I’m an avid reader, and I am always looking for suggestions on what to read next!

After nearly twenty-one years in the Air Force, I’m a big fan of W.E.B. Griffin, Dan Brown and Tom Clancy. I’m very interested in spy-craft, intrigue, historical fiction and repeat characters like Jack Ryan, Jack Reacher, etc.

11.  What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time, if you have any?

My wife and I enjoy playing golf together and traveling. I continue to challenge myself with learning more about the guitar and writing songs, short stories and children’s books. The vast majority of my writing will never see the light of day, as it’s just something I doodle with. I also really enjoy building things out of balsa wood. I loved building model airplanes and cars as a child and still love working with my hands.

12.  How did you and your wife meet? What made you POP the question?

My wife and I met through mutual friends after high school and had our first date the evening after some other friend’s wedding. Through our ensuing time together we learned we shared the same vision of our future together. I must also admit she was the most wonderful and attractive woman I had ever met. We bonded so easily and I knew I had to spend the rest of my life with her. Fortunately for me she said yes! That was 45 years ago this month.

13.  With the craziness that is COVID-19 going on right now, the best tips and tricks to stay healthy are super important! Have you and your family found it difficult to stay in and not venture out unless necessary?

We have played golf and walked the course five days a week while observing social distancing and germ awareness. Otherwise, we have only ventured out to the grocery store as necessary. We waited nearly three weeks before visiting our children, who live in the area, just to ensure it was safe to do so. COVID-19 is a real unknown virus and exercising an abundance of caution initially was the right thing to do – and still is.

14.  What would you say to your younger self if you could go back? Any advice or helpful tips?

I learned so many lessons from my missteps as a youngster. Fortunately, we had a great family that kept us all well on the path. My advice is to not let yourself get distracted from getting a good education and then be the best you can be at every thing you undertake. Have a great work ethic, hold yourself accountable for your mistakes, be honest and trustworthy. These are the key ingredients that will allow you to be successful in your life without regret.

15.  Assuming things start to settle down and don’t blow back up once things begin to reopen after COVID, what’s the first place you’re going to venture to just for fun?

We’re planning a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina in September for a much-needed week of sitting on the beach! We are also going on a river cruise starting in October of 2021 (delayed from August of 2020) that starts in Switzerland and ends in the Netherlands. We added at side trip to Normandy to pay our respects to the brave Americans who landed there on D-Day, June 6, 1944. My Uncle Cecil was one of these brave men who I have always respected.

Kelly – Thank you very much for your interest in our book “Pop-Pop Airplane, How Do You Fly?” and for featuring us in your blog. I hope I have answered you questions sufficiently. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.

Very best regards – Dan Pegram

danpegram.com or poppopairplane.com