I started my flight training in March of 2018, just down the road from my Grandma’s house (thanks for all the lunches Grandma!). I got inspired to be a pilot on a ski trip I took with our good family friends the Kitchins. They helped launch me into the world of aviation and I owe them the world for getting me here. Thanks guys!
My first flight was on April 6th and...I got airsick. (The photo to the right is of Paul and myself, clearly before the flying happened). I didn't think I was going to make it to the ground without ruining the interior, somehow I did. The entire first week I took dramamine, chewed gum and did anything and everything people suggested to alleviate motion sickness. At the start of the second week I decided to skip the dramamine and see how I felt, and I’m happy to say, I’ve never looked back. The only thing that can really rattle my head or stomach is good turbulence when I’m looking down at something in the cockpit.
the part where I became a pilot
After a bunch of lessons and getting mildly confident I took the scariest step any aviator takes - the first solo flight. Yep, just me and an airplane, yikes. It was May the fourth, winds were light, the sun was shining and I was nervous. I had an opportunity for the most epic StarWars reference ever and I wasn’t going to let that pass me by. I guess I paid enough attention in ground school and learned something behind the controls because I managed to survive three takeoffs and landings. Flying Solo on May the fourth. Skywalker would’ve been proud.
After loads of studying in the classrooms, fighting to stay awake in the sims and sweating through my shirts in Cessna 172s I got my instrument rating. That makes it legal to fly through clouds and weather using only whats available to you in the cockpit. It’s obviously an important rating, but its not a super exciting process to discuss. Next step, multi-engines. If one is good two must be better right? The first time I launch a Seminole at KCOI (the airports identifier) I felt like I was in a rocket-ship. Thats also when it really started to click just how much better going faster was. I also learned that retractable gear should be retracted after takeoff or it will slow you down, a lot. Learning how to deal with an engine failure is wild process. You’re flying along, fat, dumb, happy and WHOOM, your instructor just shut down an engine - bonus feature of having two engines: if one dies you aren’t forced to land in a glider. It’s exciting and fun. When you pass the last check-ride (an oral and flight exam) you are done with flight school - depending on what you want to do. Luckily I ended up getting a job so my flight training at Merritt Island was concluded in November. I think without some weather and scheduling delays I could’ve done it a little bit quicker but I was at school six days a week and studying seven. It kicked my ass.
the new blog
Originally I used this site to share the adventures I was on. When life became a little more routine I stopped making posts. I didn’t think I had anything worthy of writing or videoing - and for a while I didn’t. In December I started flying for a charter company - I was bouncing around the world again. Time for more posts right? Easy tiger. I’m usually only in one place for a night. Long enough to sneak a quick dive, wander around or try the local grinds. The old formula wasn’t going to work. I came up with a new plan. Do my best to snag some neat photos, an occasional story and share them here. I hope you enjoy following along, leave your seat belts fastened for taxi, takeoff and landing. I’m sure this will be an interesting ride.
