armycopter
Pre-Flight
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2015
- Messages
- 32
- Display Name
Display name:
armycopter
First post here after lurking for a few weeks. I just wanted to to say hi and introduce myself. I hope to learn a lot from all the experience pilots and students here.
A little about me, I am 46 and returning to fixed wing flying after a long break in training. Actually, many breaks. I took lessons when I was 18 from my grandfather in his Citabria. I solo'd back then after 6 hours (just checked my old log book) which even now I think was crazy but I did pretty good. I trained for a little while longer but joined the military and stopped trained soon after.
Fast foward 10 years, I decided to try again. Got another 15 hours or so and solo'd again. Life took over, money got short and I stopped training.
Got off active duty and joined the Army National Guard. Went to flight school for the Army and became a helicopter pilot. That was in 1998. I still fly helo's for the Guard and have my commercial, instrument, rotary wing ticket (but have never used it in a civilian sense).
Fast forward another few years and in 2005 I took fixed wing lessons again. Got another 5 hours or so and yet again, quit due to money and life.
So... here we are in 2015. I have the money and the time. Got my medical last week and meet with the Chief Pilot at our local airport on Wednesday to scrub my logbook and see what type of training plan we can put together. I will be flying out of KSFM.
I am both excited and nervous. I am very comfortable flying a helo in all kinds of weather but the mental barrier I have built up in my mind around fixed wing will take some time to get thru. It's weird but I have always wanted to do this both for myself and my grandfather (who has since passed away). I really want to get my PPL and check this off my bucket list. I have day dreams about showing my kids the wonders of flight. My grandfather was a pilot, my father is a pilot, and I hope to soon be a fixed wing pilot.
My main goals are to be safe, fly within my experience level, and have fun.
Sorry for rambling, just saying hello!
A little about me, I am 46 and returning to fixed wing flying after a long break in training. Actually, many breaks. I took lessons when I was 18 from my grandfather in his Citabria. I solo'd back then after 6 hours (just checked my old log book) which even now I think was crazy but I did pretty good. I trained for a little while longer but joined the military and stopped trained soon after.
Fast foward 10 years, I decided to try again. Got another 15 hours or so and solo'd again. Life took over, money got short and I stopped training.
Got off active duty and joined the Army National Guard. Went to flight school for the Army and became a helicopter pilot. That was in 1998. I still fly helo's for the Guard and have my commercial, instrument, rotary wing ticket (but have never used it in a civilian sense).
Fast forward another few years and in 2005 I took fixed wing lessons again. Got another 5 hours or so and yet again, quit due to money and life.
So... here we are in 2015. I have the money and the time. Got my medical last week and meet with the Chief Pilot at our local airport on Wednesday to scrub my logbook and see what type of training plan we can put together. I will be flying out of KSFM.
I am both excited and nervous. I am very comfortable flying a helo in all kinds of weather but the mental barrier I have built up in my mind around fixed wing will take some time to get thru. It's weird but I have always wanted to do this both for myself and my grandfather (who has since passed away). I really want to get my PPL and check this off my bucket list. I have day dreams about showing my kids the wonders of flight. My grandfather was a pilot, my father is a pilot, and I hope to soon be a fixed wing pilot.
My main goals are to be safe, fly within my experience level, and have fun.
Sorry for rambling, just saying hello!
