[WSGilcrest]

Not that I claim to know anything about flying (other than on my computer), but I am familiar with the Two Rock area. Nothing but dirt roads and pasture land. The plane was not at any established airport, probably took off from a dirt road on his son's ranch.

[Former Fetus]

probably took off from a dirt road

Not likely. A Champ is a tail dragger, and it is hard enough for a pilot to keep it going straight down an airstrip. More likely it was some pasture, and the plane got to go around in circles before taking off. Now, that must have been a sight to see! Technically, it is possible for the plane to take off without pilot, although the chances of that happening are about the same as of Bill Clinton joining a monastery and taking a vow of chastity.