New LSA Student in Winter Haven, FL
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:01 pm
I'm new to flying, but not to dreaming. During my early childhood days in the 70's I would build model airplanes and marvel at the magic of flight as I watched planes overhead. I wanted to fly but the opportunity just wasn't there for me. Upon graduation from high school I entered the Marine Corps with the hopes of someday being a helicopter pilot. But again, the dream was not fulfilled.
At one point during my time in the Corps I was on a C-5 from Honolulu, HI to Pohang, Korea and the crew ran into difficulty. We did an emergency landing on Wake Island and I lost my interest in flying. It was a rather scary experience that made me very aware of my mortality and lack of control while strapped into a jump seat. I had never studied the physics of flight and after reflecting on what happened, which was the first time I thought of the possible dangers involved, I drew my own uninformed conclusion that flying was mostly luck and magic, of which neither the pilot could control. From there I allowed myself to avoid anymore serious consideration of my earlier dreams of flight by dismissing it as a dangerous activity I could easily avoid by staying away from airports. I flew when required and that was it.
I got out of the Marines in 1993 and my last flight was an uneventful transatlantic trip from Spain back to the States. I did not board another plane for over 18 years. I've missed family reunions and have limited our vacation destinations as a direct result. I don't want that anymore.
A few weeks back I flew in an LSA during a discovery flight, even taking control of the aircraft at times. It was a move I took to face a fear I had allowed to blossom from what was once a dream. I had prepared for the flight by studying Gleim manuals, pouring over Internet sites that explained the mechanics of flight, and generally doing whatever was necessary to psyche myself up for the big day. Perhaps a simple move for others, this was truly one of epic proportions for me.
Now I'm just psyched up! I have taken another 1 hour flight lesson, am halfway through the study material for the Sport Pilot Knowledge Test, have been practicing basic maneuvers in Microsoft FSX, and have taken advantage of the resources available to new pilots through the AOPA. I won't say that my fears are completely gone, but through education I have greatly diminished them and replaced them with excitement once again. I'm turning my childhood dream into a reality at the age of 40.
I was very glad to find this site and look forward to participating in the shared flight experience it offers. I'm also interested in hearing from others that are using FSX as a training tool.
At one point during my time in the Corps I was on a C-5 from Honolulu, HI to Pohang, Korea and the crew ran into difficulty. We did an emergency landing on Wake Island and I lost my interest in flying. It was a rather scary experience that made me very aware of my mortality and lack of control while strapped into a jump seat. I had never studied the physics of flight and after reflecting on what happened, which was the first time I thought of the possible dangers involved, I drew my own uninformed conclusion that flying was mostly luck and magic, of which neither the pilot could control. From there I allowed myself to avoid anymore serious consideration of my earlier dreams of flight by dismissing it as a dangerous activity I could easily avoid by staying away from airports. I flew when required and that was it.
I got out of the Marines in 1993 and my last flight was an uneventful transatlantic trip from Spain back to the States. I did not board another plane for over 18 years. I've missed family reunions and have limited our vacation destinations as a direct result. I don't want that anymore.
A few weeks back I flew in an LSA during a discovery flight, even taking control of the aircraft at times. It was a move I took to face a fear I had allowed to blossom from what was once a dream. I had prepared for the flight by studying Gleim manuals, pouring over Internet sites that explained the mechanics of flight, and generally doing whatever was necessary to psyche myself up for the big day. Perhaps a simple move for others, this was truly one of epic proportions for me.
Now I'm just psyched up! I have taken another 1 hour flight lesson, am halfway through the study material for the Sport Pilot Knowledge Test, have been practicing basic maneuvers in Microsoft FSX, and have taken advantage of the resources available to new pilots through the AOPA. I won't say that my fears are completely gone, but through education I have greatly diminished them and replaced them with excitement once again. I'm turning my childhood dream into a reality at the age of 40.
I was very glad to find this site and look forward to participating in the shared flight experience it offers. I'm also interested in hearing from others that are using FSX as a training tool.