I was fortunate enough to have a father in my life that would teach life skills. The value of work, education and good moral character and fortunately flying was part of that education. The passion for flight had always been in our family as my father flew corporately for a local manufacturing company in a light twin engine airplane. His dream for me was to become a career airline pilot. I remember flying with him at age 3 or 4 in a Taylor craft he owned and flew from our Hereford beef farm. It didn’t start well as I remember crying with the roar of the engine and rain drops spitting on the windscreen. In 1972, I started my primary flight training. I learned to fly backwards on my first lesson with the concept of 'slow flight.' With a 45 kt+ winter headwind we were backing up from the cars traveling on the ground below. I earned my Private Pilot license in 1973, and obtained the FAA commercial and instrument ratings, as well. My dad was in search of an airplane and at the recommendation of the local airport experts we were connected with, the owner of N3509U. This 1963 Cessna 182 F model was 11 years old with less than 1,00 hours total time and in pristine condition. Following completion of the sale I began my ‘complex aircraft’ lessons with local instructors followed by a lot of “hood time” to obtain my instrument rating. My dad and I made numerous cross-country trips to build time and see distant places such as North Carolina; dropping off golfing friends or Put-In-Bay for weekends on Lake Erie. After I graduated from college my father sold the airplane and I started my aviation career working for numerous airplane manufacturers. In 1994, I joined FlightSafety International in a sales capacity and I find a home career for the next 23 years. During this time-period while constantly reading aviation magazines. After 9/11 I frequented the FAA website for work verifying pilot’s full names for TSA purposes. I would type in N3509U to see if the airplane was still airworthy and its current owner. This exercise went on for over 3 years until finally I built up the courage and tracked down the current owner’s phone number (You can locate anyone via the Internet) and made the call. Turns out I was calling the hospital I was born in and speaking to the owner who had operated the airplane for the past 12 years. Ironically or perfect timing after all these years. He had lost his medical and wanted the airplane to go to 'a good home.' Flight schools had called inquiring about N3509U, but he knew in a rental fleet the airplane would not be treated with the fondness and affection that he currently gave her. I bought an airline ticket to Cleveland and was reconnected with a long, lost love. Seeing the airplane after 40 years provided a déjà vu moment having to pinch myself that this was real. We sat down, reviewed the logbooks, and did the deal. I use the analogy of looking at puppies, “At this point, no matter what, you are going to take one home!” Several weeks later I returned to pick up the airplane and return to Ft. Worth. It was a tearful farewell, the owner running his hand along the leading edge of the wing, as he had done countless times removing smattered bugs, signaling one final goodbye. Once I got her home, I began to rebuild and update. It started with a 6 probe engine monitor, Vernier mixture control, LED strobe, and landing lights, etc. Then came the annual inspection that determined, I had two dead engine cylinders and the other four at the minimum compression of 60 psi. I committed the ‘cardinal sin’ of buying a pre-owned aircraft and not performing a pre-purchase inspection. I had no objective mechanic there at the time and I trusted the log-books. Always a big mistake and the reason for the rule! I have failed to mention that all through this entire process (i.e. expense) my lovely wife had been totally supportive. “As long as I have known you, you have always wanted to own an airplane. It’s either now or never. So don’t miss this opportunity!” With the unfortunate news regarding our engine, my wife told me, “I don’t do used parts!” So, I dialed 1-800 Continental Motors to order a factory new engine. It was the proper decision, since the existing one had undergone overalls over its 55+ year life. The list of replacement parts continued to expand. Alternator, overhauled propeller, door seals, and a new avionics panel that included satellite GPS navigation. Then came the installation of new windows, paint, and carpet. At times, the airplane was down for maintenance for months at a time. It seemed to be a never-ending process to reach the final goal of a “new” 54 year old airplane. After 3 years of rebuild and 200 hours of flying in between, the process was complete. Having been blessed with the skill to defy gravity and return to the ground safely, along with the ability to afford this ‘time machine’ or as I call it, ‘Back to the Future II,’ 90% of its missions now are humanitarian. Over 30 Angel Flights for cancer patients needing no charge transportation to MD Anderson Hospital have been flown. Several Hurricane Harvey flights were conducted dropping off diapers in Conroe, TX. Everything from dog food to toilet paper was flown into Beaumont, TX and unloaded by the military. They say things don’t buy happiness, but I disagree. For me, the secret of this earthly experience is that we are here to help others. N3509U has done that with its new life. I am just glad I could be part of that.