(Reposted by request)
Each time I stand near my desk, my eyes naturally focus on the framed cover of the August 1983 Flying magazine. Below it is page 100, the “I Learned About Flying from That” (ILAFFT), where my first column appeared. On it, the author of Bax Seat, scrawled in brown ink, “To my friend Rob Mark. His story, my push. Gordon Baxter, August 5, 1983.”
Many months before, Gordon Baxter had given me the Flying editor’s phone number. When I rang with my brief pitch, all I heard was “yes.” I suddenly had an assignment for my first column. That 1983 issue was the first, but not the last, time my name and stories appeared in the aviation industry’s iconic magazine. That same issue also ran a pilot report about the then-new Cessna Citation III, an aircraft I later added to my list of type ratings. Looking back, there were so many aspects of my aviation career that came to life around Bax and that August 1983 issue, not the least of which was that we became friends.
Gordon Baxter, Bax as he preferred folks call him, helped shape my career as an aviation journalist like no one before him and only a few people since. The author of 13 books, Bax’s own magazine writing career at Flying spanned 25 years. His monthly column, Bax Seat, focused on vivid descriptions of his adventures. It was known simply as “Bax Seat.” Did I mention he was also a long-time radio personality in Beaumont, Texas, another interest we shared.
A Bit of Bax’s Background
I first met Bax in the mid-1970s. He brought his show, his act, or whatever the heck he called his evening of storytelling, to the Stick and Rudder Flying Club at Waukegan Airport. I was a tower controller not far away at Palwaukee Airport. Having been an avid Flying reader since high school, I switched shifts with another controller so I wouldn’t miss the event. Bax captured the audience for over an hour with stories from his flying career and his columns that often alternately “em rollin’ in the aisles” with gut-wrenching laughter and an emotional Texas-guy style that also brought tears to many an eye. Another way to think of Bax’s storytelling night was like an evening of improv but all about flying and airplanes.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, he learned to fly after World War II following his stint as a B-17 turret gunner. Bax was no professional pilot—just a guy with a private certificate, an instrument rating, and eventually his beloved Mooney. On the back cover of one of his books, appropriately titled Bax Seat, Flying’s Stephan Wilkinson said “Bax tries to pass himself off as a pilot, but don’t believe him. He never could fly worth a damn. But Gordon feels airplanes, loves and honors them in ways that the rest of us are ashamed to admit. And he’s certainly one of the few romantics who can express what he feels so perfectly.” I couldn’t have written that myself, but I, too, felt it.
Following the Waukegan show, I walked over to the corner table where he was pouring himself some coffee. “Hi,” was all I could muster for a couple of seconds cause this was Bax … from Flying magazine. “Well, hello,” he quickly replied with a big smile. Pretty soon, we were sharing war stories about learning to fly before I got around to asking how he got started writing. His face lit up like he’d been waiting for someone to ask that very question. “First, you need to have something to say. Then you just pick up a pen and start writing,” he told me. “And then?” I asked, waiting for the inside secret. “Nothing else. That’s it. Just start writing. Of course, it’s better if you have a story to tell, so being able to edit is kind of important too. Guess I left that part out.” Now I was laughing with him. We kept in touch after that as I started down my writer’s road with my portable Smith Corona always in tow.
Bax Seat Came to Chicago
In the early 1980s, I was assistant chief instructor at Chicago Beechcraft on the north side of DuPage Airport just west of Chicago. My role included acting as director of our popular Beech Aero Club, designed to mix some social events with flying airplanes. We were always heading off to some fun and exotic destinations within reach of a Beech Sundowner or Sierra. One great trip with four other airplanes took us to Nashville, where we all experienced the Grand Ol’ Opry up close. Minnie Pearl, with that little flower sticking out of her straw hat, was still a highlighter back then.
Later, I decided it might help my career to make a good impression with my boss, so I asked if he’d pay to have an outside speaker come to an aero club event. He wouldn’t give me more than a maybe until I told him it was Bax. He agreed immediately and even promised to clear out the corporate hangar for the crowd he knew would come. There was just one minor hurdle for me since I hadn’t actually asked Bax yet if he’d fly up to Chicago.
Later that afternoon I was breathing a little easier because Bax, being Bax, said yes as soon as I phoned him. We set a date for a few months down the road, in July 1981 to be exact (This turned out to be just days before the devastating PATCO strike that also had a huge influence on my life). I spent the weeks leading up to the show promoting Bax’s visit with anyone who’d listen. Bax told me he hated making speeches and offered another idea. “Why don’t you hand out some index cards as people arrive?” he suggested. “Ask them to write down questions for me to answer and we’ll have our program.” And that’s just what we did.
Bax Was a Great Houseguest
Since an event sponsor is usually responsible for finding their guest a place to stay, I called and asked Bax which hotel chain he preferred. He thought for a minute and said he really didn’t like hotels at all. “Well, where do you want to stay then Bax?” Humble as ever, he said, “If you have a spare bedroom, that would be just fine for me.” I didn’t need to think about it. “Sure I do Bax.” The die was cast for a couple of incredibly fun evenings away from the airport I’d ever had as my wife and I welcomed this famous guy to our tiny townhouse. Bax only had one real request the entire two nights he was with us. “I really hate wearing shoes and socks,” he explained. “Would you mind me walking around barefoot while I’m here?” My wife and I both laughed, nodding our heads. That was Bax.
Our Bax Seat night turned into a big local hit. I had 600 tickets printed and we sold about 450, with a few dozen more on the night of the event. Since I was wise enough to plant a cassette recorder near one of the speakers that night, I captured the evening. You can relive some of that night’s fun by clicking here. Even 40 years later, I remember some of those stories like Bax just shared them last week.
My Years at Flying magazine
Years later, when I was hired as senior editor at Flying, I was in awe. I tried hard for years I was there never to forget the magazine’s rich heritage created by the writers and editors who came before. A few of the names that come to mind are John and Martha King, Dick Karl, Ben Younger, Steve Pope, Mac McClellan, Isabel Goyer, Martha Lunken, Peter Garrison, Michael Maya Charles, Len Morgan, Nigel Moll, Dick Collins, Ernest K. Gann, Richard Bach and lord knows how many more. I still think Bax deserves some of the credit for me joining the Flying staff.
As you did when you autographed my first column Bax, “His story, my push.” I’ll never forget you.
Gordon Baxter left the Earth one final time in 2011 at age 81.
Mike Kay says
Loved your article. I too was a huge Gordon Baxter fan! All of the names you mentioned at the end sure brought back a lot of memories. However, there was a name that certainly should be on that list…Len Morgan and his column, Vectors. Thanks for recognizing all of these great and gifted writers!
Robert Mark says
Excellent point Mike, thanks. I’ll fix that right now in fact.
Jeremy King says
I was a huge Bax fan from an early age. I heard him speak at OSH 96 and that’s what started my paths of writing and flying onto a converging course. “I could go to air shows and con anyone into letting me fly their planes if I wrote about them,” I thought.
Approaching 30 years later, I’m finding that while I won’t get any richer from writing about airplanes, it turns the metaphysical mixture knob and makes my flying life that much richer.
I was trying to explain about Bax to a young first officer on my first trip after Airventure this year. It was terribly difficult to find any of his pieces online, and that’s a crying shame.
Great story, Rob.
Robert Mark says
Thanks for your note Jeremy.
Best,
Rob
Bill Herrington says
Wow, what a flashback! I grew up in Groves, Texas just outside Beaumont in the 1970s. Gordon Baxter was always dialed into my parent’s car radio any time the engine was running. At the time, I only knew him as a radio host. After graduating college, moving to a different part of the country, AND getting infected with an aviation disease, this familiar name started popping up in aviation magazine articles. I was shocked to learn it was the same person. He was an incredible story teller. Unfortunately the story that stuck most in my memory was the details on his decision to end his flying adventures. I was crushed to hear the news, but had to respect his decision to do so.
J R Gonzalez says
You forgot Martha Lunken.
Robert Mark says
Not quite sure about your comment JR. How does Martha fit into this discussion?
Rick says
Love the article. Got my license at Beaumont Muni where Bax had his Mooney. Loved talking to him. Watching him changing the records with his feet, when he was at KLVI, was a real treat!! Would always read his articles first.
DaveW says
I knew his nephew, Dan Green, at my first part-time CFI job at North Little Rock Airport. Another great guy, and he did some writing for magazines as well. I first started getting to know him when I was reading an article about the Mooney Mite and he walked by. I asked if he had ever flown the Mite, and he said, “Yes, and I wrote the article you’re reading. ” Sure enough! I lost touch with Dan when my USAF career took me to the Phillippines. Always wondered where he went from NLR.
Kevin says
Nice article. Always enjoyed reading his stories. Thank you.
Jose R Gonzalez says
Next to last paragraph. You mention “the magazine’s rich heritage created by the writers and editors who came before. A few of the names that come to mind are…”.
You failed to mention Martha Lunken. She is one of the magazine’s finest.
Robert Mark says
You are correct Jose. Shame on me too. I know Martha. I’ll fix that. Thanks.
Robert Mark says
Thank you for your comment, Kevin. I hope you’ll share the site with your friends. Rob
William Lehr says
Great story and I really enjoyed listening to the recording of Bax’s presentation. Thanks for sharing!
Chris Conklin says
Hi Rob
Thanks for the great memories of Bax. Like so many others, a new Flying always began by reading the last first! I don’t remember meeting you back in the day, but we sure crossed paths. I worked for Priester in the late 70s, both as a line boy and then in sales. I became a CFI and worked for Spence at Chicago Beech in 1979-80. I retired from the lines 5 years ago as a 767 CA, and now own a Grumman Tiger, based seasonally at KOSH and 48X (Manatee, FL). I’ve enjoyed your writing for many years.
Robert Mark says
You’re most welcome William. At first, I didn’t think many folks would take the time to listen. But many readers have. For me, I wanted to preserve a memory in the best way possible. It was only after stumbling across a cassette tape of Bax in a box of other tapes that I decided to write the story.
Robert Mark says
Thanks for your thoughts Chris. And since I was a tower controller in the 70s at PWK, I’m sure we did cross paths … or at least maybe I was the guy that cleared you across the runways from one part of the airport to another. Did you ever drive “Red Jeep”? I have no idea why I remember that. Or did you ever work with Walter, the fellow with the strong German accent?
Chris Conklin says
Don’t recall Walter, but sure do the Red Jeep, also the old grey navy-surplus Plymouth station wagon twins. I’m sure we had a few chats!
BTW- Charley P. Is the only employer to ever fire me. When I interviewed with Spencer at DPA, his only q was “I understand you and Charley don’t get along?” Then he offered me a job.
Robert Mark says
This is really funny Chris. I ended up working for Spence at DPA too.
Rob
arephen casciotta says
good sories, but rather have a potcast. I do enough aviation reading! thanks steve usn ret.
Robert Mark says
Thanks for your note. Did you not see the link to the audio for this story running just beneath the headline?