Solo at Sixteen: Fred Clarey on the Joy, History, and Physics of Aviation
In this episode of the Tell Me podcast, host Sam Stokes sits down with aviation enthusiast and pilot Fred Clarey. Fred shares his incredible journey of growing up under a military flight path, joining the Civil Air Patrol, and flying an airplane entirely solo on his 16th birthday, before he even had his driver's license. Together, they explore the profound joy of flight, the psychological differences between trusting an airplane versus fearing heights, and the sheer sensitivity of an aircraft's controls. Fred also brings his expertise as a San Diego Air and Space Museum docent to the table, walking us through the history of the Wright brothers' groundbreaking wind tunnel discoveries and their patents on pitch, roll, and yaw. Whether you love flying or are completely terrified of it, Fred’s passion will completely change how you view taking to the skies.
