Faith and Flight:
A Journey

For many now years, I've been referred to at work and jokingly from family and friends as Captain Art. When flying my RC airplanes, though, I've taken up the call sign of Captain Rex Havoc, which is more apropos for my kid-like nature and somewhat rough handling of my models.

I was blessed to live a dream and spend 39 years flying for United Airlines and looking out at the world from windows over 6 miles above the earth. I have well over 28,000 hours of flight time, enjoying the most magnificent views one could imagine from all over the world.

My last flight with United was on Nov 3rd, 2023. My career ended a few days later when I was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer. After a year of various treatments, I am now cancer-free and feeling great! Unfortunately, I did lose my medical and can't reapply for a few years. I also managed to swing past age 65, which means no more flying that requires an ATP.

Painted 1986, by my friend Joe Tomasic

It's not a 767, but it keeps me in the air!

The good news though, is that I have my Basic Med, a 1973 C-177B Cardinal, all my RC aircraft, commercial drones, a Bible and time to be a true disciple Christ!

So now...
Do you believe in God?
Do you have faith in God?

I used to, but five years ago, I had an incredible life-altering experience. More about that maybe someday. I've only tried to explain it to just a few friends, but I am slowly putting pen to paper and may have something to publish about it at some point.

I now see myself as a knower of God. I was transformed from a belief in and faith in God to absolute knowledge that God exists. That life after death and heaven are real. That Jesus is the way, and without Jesus, people are doomed to a fate worse than death.

You may have heard of the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:16-20. It is Jesus's instruction to his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". So that is my goal in all of this. Just to simply help spread the word of God, the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Now retired, but with my Bible, drones, and some time, I started my FaithAV8R YouTube channel to produce devotional videos combining stunning local aerial video with biblical texts and calming spiritual Christian music. My videos usually revolve around a single biblical topic or book.

I started FaithAV8R.com website not only to promote Christianity through my videos, but also what I call Proofs of God. I have spent many hours researching the latest scientific evidence for the existence of God, and there is a lot of it. I have a page dedicated to Faith/Aviation books. The first one on the list, and one of my favorites, was written by my friend Jim Walters and is free as a downloadable PDF. If you would like it in paperback, see me, as I usually have a few copies close by.

Jim is also the director of Servants of Christ International, which provides financial and other support for missionaries working throughout the world, spreading the word of God and helping people and communities in numerous ways. Hangar Talk is my blog page, which will feature several contributors so you don't have to put up with just my thoughts and views.

Last but not least is a Links page to some of my favorite sites and channels.

I plan on this website evolving to continually help people to come to know and grow in Jesus Christ in as many ways as possible.

Now, join me in exploring the beauty of creation through aerial perspectives, scientific evidence, and spiritual reflections that deepen our understanding of faith and the love of Jesus Christ.

Art Ritchie

• Creating devotional videos that inspire faith through breathtaking aerial views, spiritual music, and biblical texts.

• Sharing my journey of faith, transforming belief into knowledge.
  
  

Faith Av8r