I just received an email from an old co-worker. He is going to pick up his “new to him” plane this week. He is retired and has been working on his pilot’s license for the past year. He fell in love with flying.

While he was training I received email updates. It was like looking through a time machine at myself. I think every new pilot loves the same things about learning to fly.

For me it was all the firsts:

  • Your first time taking off.
  • Your first time landing.
  • Your first time keeping up with a fast controller and not saying anything stupid.
  • The first landing you don’t feel because it was so smooth.
  • Your first solo.
  • Your first night flight.

I have not flown since Jan 7th 2003 when I flew a Cherokee 140 for .6 hours. I am not current. I need to take care of a biannual flight review. At this point it will require quite a bit of instruction time to work out all the cobwebs.

I have a love for flying. Fortunately I can return to flying on my own schedule. I will never again see my kids at the same age they are today, tomorrow and the next day. I am on course. I will fly again.