Summer of 2004

Well, I am finally back in the air again! In 2001 I had a mid-air skydiving accident, and after extensive reconstructive surgery, and three weeks in the hospital brought the end to my skydiving career. My only regret is having a bad day, not the sport of skydiving. I guess it took awhile before realizing that I have a great love for aviation, and had to get back in the air somehow. After a lot of consideration I decided that I was up to the challenge of becoming a pilot. After all, it has been my biggest dream ever since I can remember, just always thought that it was out of my reach. Amber has been my biggest supporter after realizing how important it is to me. I’m just not the type to sit around and not do anything that does not get my adrenaline or motor running. So I thought that I would start with the written test and if I could accomplish that, I would consider going all the way. After three months of studying I actually pulled it off with flying colors. Next I had to save up some money and look for a flight instructor that I clicked with. After looking around I found the very best CFI I could have hoped for, at a great little airport with three nice aircraft. I now am about halfway through the flight training and I have been having the time of my life. It is so cool to go out to the airfield and have someone throw you the keys to an airplane, and say: “Go, have some fun”! I feel like I am at the beginning of a great adventure that Amber and I will both enjoy, STAY TUNED!

February 2007 

Well these days I do not do a lot of flying, CFI Bob and I go fly somewhere and eat breakfast once per month or so. I came to a decision, that for the time being it would be best to postpone my flying hobby. I have completed all my flying requirements and the next step was taking the test to get my pilot’s license. Amber and I have dreamt of building a house that is way out in the country on my family land. I knew that if I had my license in hand that I would want to go fly a lot and that money would be best put toward our dream home. The other factor in my decision was that flying is a perishable skill and the only good pilots are the pilots that fly a lot, keeping their flying skills sharp. I did accomplish what I sat out to do, to learn more about aviation, and to have some flying adventures. I had the adventures of the solo cross country flights, doing air work, stalling the aircraft and dropping like a rock, standing the aircraft on one wing, doing 45 degree turns still fill my daydreams. I totally intend to return to flying again someday when the time is right. I dream that in my retirement I will own my own little plane and hang out with the other old pilots at the hanger telling stories and flying on the weekends.