By PHILLIP BOSHEARS
stories@lafollettepress.com
With its nose lined up on the white centerline, everything is ready.
“Downtown traffic. 757 Sierra Yankee. Departing runway 26, downtown traffic,” says the pilot.
The engine begins to roar. It speeds down the runway. Then suddenly—lift off.
The climb begins.
Once at 3,500 feet, everything is quiet. Off in the distance, are the towering Great Smoky Mountains.