Flying

Flying has always fascinated me. For my 16th birthday my dad arranged a flight for me with one of his work buddies that was a pilot. That was the first time I had ever been in an airplane and I loved it. We flew to a Yellowstone airstrip and then back to Idaho Falls. At that point I decided I wanted to get my pilot's license...however, I was still in highschool and lessons were very expensive so I dropped it.

I have thought about pursing it several times over the past 15 years, but it always seemed out of my reach. Besides, what was the point of getting the license if I couldn't afford the plane, insurance, and gas.

I don't remember how he knew that I wanted to fly, because I hadn't brought it up for years, but an acquaintance of mine dropped me an email in February and said that he working on getting his Sport Pilot instructor rating and needed a "pretend" student to take up for practice. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. It was a cold, crisp winter day but it was clear and calm. Dale took me up in the Zodiak and he practiced being an instructor and I pretended to be a student. I was hooked. I don't think he intended to capture me as an actual student, but after that flight I realized that my goal to be a pilot might be attainable.

Dale flys out of the Blackfoot airport a lot, and that was very convenient for me since I live about 3 minutes away from it. He took me up a couple more times for practice in a 1956 Ercoupe and it was a blast. I also started going to the meetings of the local chapter of the EAA. I expressed my interest in working on my pilot's license and he agreed to take me on as an "official" student once he became a licensed instructor. I want to fly as often as possible, but I decided that I could only afford about 2 lessons a month. Flying is not an inexpensive endeavor but I know that if I wait until I have "enough" money it will never happen. I decided that this pursuit had to be about the process and not the end result.

I had my 4th official lesson this afternoon. I have loved every lesson and am learning so much. I am feeling very overwhelmed right now though. There is so much to remember and coordinate and be aware of...I don't know if I really even have the aptitude to be a pilot. Anyways, it is a journey and I hope that I can finish what I have started. It is encouraging to remember this is the exact same way I felt halfway through nursing school. In fact, it is the same way I felt when I first learned to drive. I successfully made it through both of those!

Dale, Liz (another student pilot), and I are flying to the Tetons on Sunday morning if the weather is good. I am really looking forward to it! Hopefully I will take some pictures to post later!

So, here's to the process!