The poem describes the author's hope that there is a place after death for pilots, where they can relax with other pilots. This place is described as a small, dark bar where pilots can buy drinks, sing songs about flying and dying, and see other pilots who have "flown west" or died. Upon arriving at this place, an old pilot teacher would greet the new arrival and welcome them, saying this place is for true pilots to find safety and rest after their journeys and wars are over.

1. Flying West
Author: Capt. Michael J. LarkinAuthor: Capt. Michael J. Larkin
Dedicated to: Capt. E. Hamilton LeeDedicated to: Capt. E. Hamilton Lee

2. I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,

3. Where pilots can go, when they have to die-Where pilots can go, when they have to die-

4. A place where a guy can go and buy a cold beerA place where a guy can go and buy a cold beer
For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear;For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear;

5. A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor management type would ere be caught dead;Nor management type would ere be caught dead;

6. Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke,Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;

7. The kind of place where a lady could goThe kind of place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she wouldAnd feel safe and protected, by the men she would
know.know.

8. There must be a place where old pilots go,There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed getsWhen their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets
low,low,

9. Where the whiskey is old, and the women areWhere the whiskey is old, and the women are
young,young,
And the songs about flying and dying are sung,And the songs about flying and dying are sung,

10. Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown westWhere you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west
before.before.

11. And they'd call out your name, as you came through theAnd they'd call out your name, as you came through the
door;door;

12. Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad,Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

13. And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he taught you how
to fly.

14. He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you'reAnd say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're
here.here.

15. "For this is the place where true flyers come,"For this is the place where true flyers come,
"When the journey is over, and the wars have been won"When the journey is over, and the wars have been won

16. "They've come here to at last to be safe and alone"They've come here to at last to be safe and alone
From the government clerk and the management cloneFrom the government clerk and the management clone,

17. "Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noisePoliticians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise
Where the hours are happy, and these good ol'boysWhere the hours are happy, and these good ol'boys

18. "Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest;"Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest;

19. "This is Heaven, my son -- you've passed your last"This is Heaven, my son -- you've passed your last
test!"test!"