Short Final: Seeing The Light

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 06:38 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A Texas Ranger in 1890, the great-grandfather of reader Barry McCollom, is credited with the first known use of "Saddle Light Navigation."
He developed this technique by tying a lantern to his saddle to see his way while pursuing an outlaw in the dark.

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From IFR Magazine reader Barry McCollom, of Kerrville, Texas

My great grandfather was a Texas Ranger in 1890. One day he was following an outlaw into a dark night. He tied a lantern to his saddle so he could see where he was going. It is the first know use of Saddle Light Navigation.