The sky's the limit

"The beauty of flying a small plane is that there is so much freedom," Dr. Snow said. "I can set my own schedule and visit destinations where commercial flights never land."

Dr. Snow began flying small planes in 1968 during graduate school in South Carolina.

After receiving his pilot's license, and later instrument rating, Dr. Snow began exploring the Eastern seaboard by air

"I enjoyed visiting New England, Maine, the coastal islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and the Maritime Provinces of Canada," he said. "I also enjoyed trips in and around the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. It was exhilarating to have that kind of freedom."

Family time travel

Dr. Snow and his wife have since had four children and they often enjoy flying together.

"My wife doesn't enjoy flying like I do, but she is a good sport," Dr. Snow said. "I can't fit all four of my children into the plane, but we have found ways to fly with the kids for different activities. For my youngest daughter's birthday recently I surprised her and took her to Disneyland with another daughter. We left at 7 a.m., spent the day at Disneyland, and then flew home."

"One Saturday morning a few years ago, I loaded a bicycle in the back of the plane, and flew approximately 270 miles to Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo," he said. "From there I rode the bicycle to have breakfast with my son. I was home before noon."

With three children all attending BYU last year, Dr. Snow was able to attend some special events.