Orginal watercolor painting of a Flying "A" gas station. While growing up Upland, California, my father owned a Flying “A” gas station. It was great to have a job waiting for me and my brothers as soon as we could reach a windshield. Remember the days when you pulled into a gas station, purchased a few dollars of Ethyl or Regular, had your windshield washed, the air in your tires checked and the fluid checked under your hood? I have turned back the clock a bit with the truck, and the pumps, and have added my childhood dog, Sarge, who used to greet the customers.