Late Bloomer
Pre-Flight
Greetings, everyone! I've been lurking here for awhile, so I decided it's finally time to introduce myself. I call myself Late Bloomer because it seems a lot of things I've done in life, I've started later than usual--joined the military late, got married late, finished college late, and now, trying to get my PP certificate.
And now, a little about me--I've been around aviation my entire life. My father has had his pilot certificate since 1950, and has had several airplanes throughout the years (L2 Taylorcraft, Champion Tri-Traveler, Fairchild 24, and a Baby Great Lakes which I helped him build). Growing up, weekends were usually spent at the airport. We'd go up for rides together frequently, though we never made any "$100 hamburger" trips. Summer vacations consisted mainly of going to Rockford or Oshkosh.
Since I was familiar with aviation, I joined the Air Force when I was 21. After a couple years, I decided to get my PP certificate. After about 15 hours or so, I felt I couldn't afford it, so I gave it up.
Fast forward about 12 years, and I'm stationed in Korea. I decided to try it again. Though I was higher in rank, it was still too expensive for me. So, it quit again.
Still interested in aviation, I finished my degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I'm retired AF now, and I have a good job. I also completed my Master's Degree from the University of Arkansas, but it is industry-related, rather than in an aviation field.
Since I can actually afford flying now, I tried it again last spring. So I joined the local Aero Club and started flying. But something happened which I'm still struggling with: during my fifth flight, while doing ground reference maneuvers, something in my head "clicked," and I thought to myself, "You know, I really don't want to do this anymore." After landing, when I was refueling, I thought to myself "This is the last time I have to do this crap!" I was just frustrated because I felt I should be more advanced, as I have 40 hours in my logbook. But I realize now that I need to rewind, and start as a beginner again. Plus, it is a Part 141 school located on a military installation, and there is a lot of information they throw at you at once.
I told my instructor I had to take some time off to do "honey-do" projects, and I wouldn't be able to fly again until the fall or spring of 2012. Well, it was true, though I know it was also an excuse. Since that time, he was hired away by the airlines.
But since I stopped flying, every time I look in the sky and see a plane overhead, I think, "That could be me up there!" I talked it over with my wife, and she'd like to see me get my ticket. Also, my wife's girlfriend is persuing it as well, so I have a "study buddy." I also talked to my father, and he told me to do it only if I want to do it; don't do it for him. I've always wanted to fly cross country with him, and I want to do it before he gets much older (he's in his 80's now--but still in excellent health).
So, on the anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight, I joined AOPA and the EAA, along with joining a local EAA chapter. They've been very encouraging! I also found a new flight instructor, and I begin again tomorrow! I hope I can finally finish it this time.
Thanks for letting me share my story!
And now, a little about me--I've been around aviation my entire life. My father has had his pilot certificate since 1950, and has had several airplanes throughout the years (L2 Taylorcraft, Champion Tri-Traveler, Fairchild 24, and a Baby Great Lakes which I helped him build). Growing up, weekends were usually spent at the airport. We'd go up for rides together frequently, though we never made any "$100 hamburger" trips. Summer vacations consisted mainly of going to Rockford or Oshkosh.
Since I was familiar with aviation, I joined the Air Force when I was 21. After a couple years, I decided to get my PP certificate. After about 15 hours or so, I felt I couldn't afford it, so I gave it up.
Fast forward about 12 years, and I'm stationed in Korea. I decided to try it again. Though I was higher in rank, it was still too expensive for me. So, it quit again.
Still interested in aviation, I finished my degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I'm retired AF now, and I have a good job. I also completed my Master's Degree from the University of Arkansas, but it is industry-related, rather than in an aviation field.
Since I can actually afford flying now, I tried it again last spring. So I joined the local Aero Club and started flying. But something happened which I'm still struggling with: during my fifth flight, while doing ground reference maneuvers, something in my head "clicked," and I thought to myself, "You know, I really don't want to do this anymore." After landing, when I was refueling, I thought to myself "This is the last time I have to do this crap!" I was just frustrated because I felt I should be more advanced, as I have 40 hours in my logbook. But I realize now that I need to rewind, and start as a beginner again. Plus, it is a Part 141 school located on a military installation, and there is a lot of information they throw at you at once.
I told my instructor I had to take some time off to do "honey-do" projects, and I wouldn't be able to fly again until the fall or spring of 2012. Well, it was true, though I know it was also an excuse. Since that time, he was hired away by the airlines.
But since I stopped flying, every time I look in the sky and see a plane overhead, I think, "That could be me up there!" I talked it over with my wife, and she'd like to see me get my ticket. Also, my wife's girlfriend is persuing it as well, so I have a "study buddy." I also talked to my father, and he told me to do it only if I want to do it; don't do it for him. I've always wanted to fly cross country with him, and I want to do it before he gets much older (he's in his 80's now--but still in excellent health).
So, on the anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight, I joined AOPA and the EAA, along with joining a local EAA chapter. They've been very encouraging! I also found a new flight instructor, and I begin again tomorrow! I hope I can finally finish it this time.
Thanks for letting me share my story!
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