About
Since I was very young, I have had a dream to fly. In Kindergarten I would love to watch the helicopters flying out of Ream Field (NAS Imperial Beach) over my house in South San Diego. I think I used to call them “Hockey-Fockters” instead of helicopters.
As I got older I would do whatever it took to experience “flight”. Paper airplanes, kites or balsa wood airplanes. When I could talk my parents into spending a little more, I would get the ones with a wind-up rubber-band propeller.
When I got into 9th grade, I spent a month in math class with the FAA manual tucked behind my math book. I read through the entire book and couldn’t wait until I could become a pilot. I was a year away from my 16th birthday and I was counting the days.
Turns out, flying lessons aren’t cheap and there was no way I would be able to talk my parents into footing the bill. I had to put my dream on hold. I also learned I was color blind and probably would never fly professionally. That completely burst my bubble.
Today, at the age of 39, I’ve decided to take up the pursuit of my dreams once again. I still can’t afford it, but it’s not getting any cheaper, so there’s no better time than now. I’ve also learned the reality of flying when you’re color blind.
Follow along as I get my pilots license. I’m documenting every step along the way. From the “discovery flight” to the “check ride”. I’ll try to keep the catagories to your right organized.
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Pre-Lesson - This is general information I found out before I took my first lesson.
Ground School - The head knowledge you need to know when you’re in the cockpit.
Pre-Solo - Your first solo is a major milestone. But, there’s a lot of work to get there.
Post-Solo - At this stage you spend a good amount of time refining what you already know.
Cross-Country - Planning and flying trips over 50 nautical miles.
Checkride - This is what you’ve been working toward. Pass this and you’re a licensed pilot.
Flying - General information about flying. What I’m doing and learning as a pilot.
