The Journal
“Slick” Time Traveler
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JOIN PILOT, PHILANTHROPIST AND ENTREPRENEUR JOHN BAUM AS HE TAKES HIS PILOT’S WATCH TIMEZONER EDITION “LE PETIT PRINCE” REF. IW395503 ON A FLIGHT OVER THE BIG APPLE
John “Slick” Baum is intentionally taking it slow in his 1944 Boeing Stearman. The pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and speaker is usually jet setting to meetings and engagements around the globe. Today, he is taking time to smell the roses over one of the busiest places on earth, New York City. The inspiration: Slick’s Le Petite Prince Timezoner.
— John “Slick” Baum approaching Manhattan in his 1944 Boeing Stearman.
FLIGHT PLAN
It’s the unofficial start of summer. The sun is winking at the horizon and the winds are pleasantly calm. It’s finally happening. After two years of daydreaming, the plan is in motion to finally soar along this historic skyline in a 1944 Boeing Stearman. New York City is notorious for its hustle and bustle. The city that never sleeps can intimidate with its hasty pace and unforgiving intensity. But for me, New York is a place of dreams and possibilities for those willing to dance with destiny and find the opportunities that await.
As a member of the famed USAF Thunderbirds, I had the luxury of flying up the Hudson River at over 400 miles per hour in an F-16. I remember the heart pounding stress of flying in formation during a rainstorm as the city zipped past us in my peripheral vision. Six aircraft flying only 18 inches apart is exhilarating, but the downside is one simply loses the indulgence of enjoying the view while flying over extraordinary landmarks. As a wingman, your job is to diligently fly a precise position in relation to the flight leader. Period. There is no room for error. No time to sightsee. Just focus and get the job done safely. To say the metropolis below was a blur is an understatement.
I tell myself, “I’m coming back.”
Saint-Exupéry personifies the passion of flight in his careful words like none other. And, the timeless life lessons in his masterpiece, Le Petit Prince, should be revisited to remind us that “all grown-ups were once children”.
— John “Slick” Baum standing next to his 1944 Boeing-Stearman.
— A patch of “Le Petit Prince” adorns John’s flight suit.
The Mission
With my Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Edition “Le Petite Prince” Ref. IW395503 (number 803/1500) on my wrist, I embark on a carefully planned mission to soar among the skyscrapers of NYC. Like many pilots, Antoine de Staint-Exupéry and his writings hold a special place in my soul. Saint-Exupéry personifies the passion of flight in his careful words like none other. And, the timeless life lessons in his masterpiece, Le Petit Prince, should be revisited to remind us that “all grown-ups were once children”. As a pilot, you understand the connection to this theme as we are the fortunate ones that are living a childhood dream. As a father, this book holds another place in my heart as it is the first book my son and I read together. We bond discussing the thoughtful morals in Le Petite Prince and how they apply to our modern lives.
Looking at the hands of my Timezoner, I note my take-off time as New York is proudly looking back at me above the iconic IWC triangle and two dots at 12 o’clock. I’ve selected many of the marvelous destinations on the Timezoner’s bezel on literal trips around the world - Paris, Hawaii, Bangkok, Dubai, and Cairo. At each new location, I hit the ground running without missing a second. This was by design, of course. Symbolically, New York means something more on this upcoming flight and makes me proud as a move the throttle forward and roll down the runway.
— Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Edition “Le Petit Prince” Ref. IW395503
When I picked the plane up, I could hear her longing to live out her purpose of flying free versus sitting as a museum piece. So here we are, airborne and adventuring as it should be.
— John “Slick” Baum whizzing by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
AIRBORNE
In 2020, I became the curator of the lowest time Boeing Stearman in the world. This aircraft brags an infantile 352 hours of flight time since its birth on April 4, 1944. If this 79-year-old airplane were a car, it would have less than 1,000 miles on the odometer. Used as a trainer in World War II, this biplane was in military service until 1949 and then sold to a crop-dusting operation. Luckily, the airplane was never converted to a crop duster. Instead, it was meticulously restored and placed in a museum where it rarely flew. When I picked the plane up, I could hear her longing to live out her purpose of flying free versus sitting as a museum piece. So here we are, airborne and adventuring as it should be.
The city skyline is stunning. There’s no flight leader to take my full attention or impede my view. I was free in the open air, humbly chugging along at 89 miles per hour. My senses were heightened listening to the radial engine purr like a lazy cat enjoying an afternoon nap in the sun. The smell of the ocean air mixed with the warm exhaust pleasantly surprise me as I pull the throttle back and push the stick forward to descend over the Statue of Liberty. Looking down at Ellis Island, I reflect on the courageous people that left their homelands in search for a new life in America. After a few circles around Lady Liberty, I roll the wings level and begin a climb. With clearance, I fly alongside One World Trade, up the East River, and finally across Central Park. I feel like it’s 1944 and I’m teenager on a joyride. Not a care in the world. Just enjoying the view and the air under my wings.
I’m certain Saint-Exupéry would be pleased. I must admit, I felt his approval as I crossed the West Side and approached the Hudson River, turning north and leaving the city behind. All was right in the world.
THE DEBRIEF
From a flying perspective, the mission was a tremendous success. Careful planning and good weather left only minor considerations for the next flight. But, as every good fighter pilot knows, if you don’t learn something on each sortie, you’ve missed something. I debrief my landing as I rounded out a bit high before touching down. I’ll take that debrief item to the next flight.
The other lesson learned is not about stick and rudder skills. This flight was transformational as I reflect on how fortunate I am to be part of this amazing world of aviation. I have been lucky to live an adventure filled life of flying fighter jets, performing aerial demonstrations to inspire millions of people, engaging in high stakes business startups, and speaking to visionaries in their fields of expertise. At the end of the day, this flight provides another perspective and a new vision of how to share my experiences to help others find their path to success. This is in the same spirit that Antione de Saint-Exupéry reminds us to stay true to ourselves and remember that we were all children full of hopes and dreams for our future.
I’m grateful for this flight and the beautiful reminder on my wrist.
— Back on safe ground: John’s flight over the Big Apple was a success.
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