SEPT 2020 Blues Vol 36 No 9

JASON KNOX
a Pilot, Police Officer, Husband & Father,
Family Man and an American Hero.
Words by Keira Knox & Mike Knox
Photos Courtesy of the Knox Family
JASON THE PILOT
Jason became interested in flying at an early age. When
he was a “pre-teen,” while riding in a car, Jason saw a sign
on the side of the road that read, “30 minutes - 30 dollars
- Introductory Flight Lesson.” Jason turned and said,” You
know, I want to be a pilot someday. We should take a flight
to see if I like it!” Jason was delighted to learn there was
no age limit to learn to fly.
Jason researched flight schools and found one that used
Citabria aircraft. He wanted to learn in a “tail dragger”
because that’s what early aviators learned to fly. Later, his
interest in history became more evident but, looking back,
this was probably the first indication of that interest.
Citabria aircraft are often used to teach aerobatic flying,
which turned out to be a good thing on Jason’s first lesson.
The Instructor pilot reported Jason had done so well on his
first lesson. The instructor Pilot said she had covered all the
areas needed for that lesson and Jason seemed comfortable
and competent. Noting they had time left on the flight She
told Jason he could fly the plane however he wanted for a
few minutes. (The instructor Pilot was unaware that Jason
had spent several years flying computer simulation games.)
Jason decided it would be fun to fly inverted. So, he did.
Jason’s Instructor pilot said he performed the maneuver
flawlessly, and She learned not to tell Jason to do whatever
he wanted on future flights.
50 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 51