I was a skydiver before I was a pilot. Every time I met an
ex-skydiver, I asked why he quit. I couldn't imagine quitting. Like
you, I always figured there was an answer - a story. Only sometimes
there is no story. I'm an ex-skydiver now. I never really intended to
quit - but it's been years since I made a jump.

Sure, I've had one surgery on my right ankle and two on my left, and
when I offer that as a reason people nod - but I was making demo jumps
into a racetrack and closing 13th on a 16-way diamond while recovering
from the last of those surgeries. I know people a lot more injured
than I am who are still jumping. The truth is that I had done enough,
and made enough jumps, that the incremental value of one more never
seemed to be worth it. I miss it - but not badly enough to take the
time out to do it.

I miss flying my glider too. In fact, I miss flying gliders in
general. I never intentionally quit doing that either - but I've flown
maybe three hours in the last two years. I miss it - but not badly
enough to take the time out to do it any more often. I only flew a
trike once, but I wish I could do that more often. I flew and landed a
taildragger for the first time in over a year this weekend, and I
realized I missed that too. And I still think about that gyroplane I
flew - and about the floatplane I didn't. So much to do, so little
time. I finally found time to get my SCUBA ticket and go spearfishing
and see the wrecks. I still haven't found time for a motorcycle. I
just CAN'T do everything. I keep thinking about getting that balloon
rating, but I can't find the time. Maybe I could have found the time
for the motorcycle or the balloon - but something else would have to
go. I fly A LOT - over 180 hours so far this year, and it's still
August - but most of that is Angel Flights, business trips, vacation
trips (where the primary purpose of the flight is to get to a
destination rather than just enjoy the scenery), and instruction. I
totaled up all my hours spent just flying around, getting hundred
dollar burgers and such - and I came up in single digits. What do I
give up?

I'll tell you what I've given up. I've been fishing maybe half a dozen
times this century, and hunting only once. I really enjoy both when I
do, but there is never enough time. I haven't been camping anywhere
other than an airport in a decade, and I used to love spending time in
the woods. I don't own a boat anymore - and I used to love spending
time on the river. Still do, when I get the chance.

I'm single. My girlfriend also flies and scuba dives. I very rarely
work weekends, and rarely work late enough in the evenings that I can't
go flying or work on my airplane. I have WAY more free time than most
people, WAY fewer responsibilities, and probably quite a bit more
disposable income. And there's still not near enough time to do all
the things I want to do. What about the people who are married and
have kids? Honestly, I don't know how they do it. Mostly they don't.

Owning an airplane is expensive. Flying and maintaining it is
time-consuming. Most pilots I know are married to women who don't much
care to fly. Going camping and fishing with the kids. Working around
the house. Buying jewelry (most women won't consider an air
compressor, welding rig, or rivet gun acceptable birthday presents).
Money, time, wives, kids - those are the real story. What you ran into
is the exception.

Michael