Escapade in the Sky

“The state of the airline industry is just horrendous. I don’t see why anyone, much less you, would even consider becoming a pilot.”

And thus has been the story of my life. Ever since I was 10 years old and I took my first flight (well, the first flight I can clearly remember), I’ve wanted to be a pilot. We flew Comair from GSP-LGA. Nothing too special happened on that flight, and for everyone else on the plane, it was nothing more than another flight, another chance of being delayed, another chance to sit for two hours in a relatively uncomfortable seat and think about how much life sucks. But it wasn’t for me. In fact, I was having the time of my life.

The captain of that flight invited me to the flight deck. He showed me the primary instruments, he let me hold the yoke, he showed me the ropes of the CRJ.

“So you think you wanna be a pilot?”

“Uhhh.”

“Well, you’ve got a while to think about it.”

It really didn’t take that much thinking. And I still blame all of this mess - the fact that I’m pursuing a career in the airlines - on that captain.

I received word from my father today that flight training’s definitely “a go”. Of course, I knew I was going to train no matter what, but it seems that the reluctance my parents have had toward this whole idea is finally starting to wear off. They’re getting used to the idea that maybe I won’t turn out exactly who they want me to be.

In a few weeks I travel to Asheville to get my FAA medical - the most rigorous medical checkup out there. After that, it’s countdown time. Winter has always been my favorite season. Now I can’t wait for it to be over. Spring, here I come. I’ll train at WNC Aviation, an excellent flight school (part 141) and FBO on their relatively new fleet of Cessna 172s. I’m so thrilled to kiss Microsoft Flight Simulator goodbye and start the real thing.

A few generous local pilots have taken me up in their Cessnas and Pipers, and each time I’ve gotten the same rush, the same thrill one gets when doing something they absolutely love.  I’m ready to take it to a completely new level, though. It’s no longer just about a few scenic flights around Western North Carolina - it’s now about a career. It’s about how I’m going to support a family in the future. It’s about me.

Now I’m more sure than ever. It’s me. It’s already shaped my personality, my friends, my family - it’s taking over my life, and I like it. It’s something new, and I like that too.

I’ll update this blog every time something fairly major happens in my quest to become an aviator, and I’ll try to keep it accessible to non-pilots. Leave comments as you wish. Any support, suggestions, and feedback will be sincerely received and appreciated.

Stay tuned, guys, the river gets rough ahead. But that’s the fun part.