Dateline May 30, 2028

Good evening, this is Megan Mallado reporting for WESH2 News. In tonight’s episode of “Meet Your Neighbor”, we are talking to 36 year Orlando resident, Capt. Ron LeDuc on the lanai of the NSB Yacht Club.

Capt. LeDuc and his lovely wife, Cheryl, have just returned from the Caribbean where they have been cruising on their 45-foot Fountain Pajot catamaran sailboat, La Chilla, since retiring from a 43 year career in aviation, the last 17 years having been spent as Captain on the “Queen of the Skies”, the incredible Boeing 747.

Together with his wife, Capt. LeDuc has raised 3 incredible children that have achieved national notoriety as country music artists and in addition to lead guitar duties for the band, their son has chosen to follow in Capt LeDuc’s footsteps and pursue a career in aviation.

Reporter: So Capt LeDuc, tell us how this all came about?

Well, ever since I was a child, all I ever dreamt about was flying. As a child, I’d sit at our local airport for hours and watch with wide eyed wonder at all the airplanes taking off and landing. When I wasn’t at the airport, I was day dreaming about flying. In fact my teachers literally were the ones that would say “you’ll never get anywhere by just staring out the window”.

I never worried about the methods needed to become a pilot. In fact had I done so, I probably would’ve never “got off the ground”.

For many reasons, that are pointless to even dwell on, there should’ve been no reason to even think that a career in aviation would remotely even be a possibility for me. Regardless, my imagination held vivid images augmented by actual aircraft models that I built for display in my bedroom, as well as pictures from magazines of the actual airline and aircraft that would be considered my fantasy aircraft/employer.

Reporter: Amazing! Now, you’ve retired and have set your sights on a more terrestrial passion. Can you tell us about that?

Oh absolutely! Simultaneously with my career dreams, I always envisioned a passion for exploration and sailing. With my retirement from the airlines, we purchased a 45 foot Fountain Pajot catamaran sailboat, and we now spend our winters exploring exotic ports of calls throughout our beloved Caribbean.

With the extra $5000 a week in residual income from our network marketing business, we enjoy the flexibility to roam carefree on the vessel of our choice. I tend to be a gadget geek so we have set it up with all the latest electronic systems.

Reporter: This is incredible! Can you describe how this all makes you feel?

I am humbled with the acknowledgment of blessing. At the same time I am elated beyond description and words cannot even come close to describe the warmth my heart feels.

Much because we can contribute on an unlimited basis to worthy causes that come into our existence as we journey through this process that we literally create in our thoughts.