Unscientific survey - why are you a pilot?

Doug Semler wrote:
(Trying to steer a thread to the topic of the group g)

A response of mine in another thread got me to thinking (dangerous, I
know) about what makes a person *want* to become a pilot.

Do you have a "family history" of aviation/piloting?


Before I was born my Dad was a GA pilot (PP-ASEL). His stories got me
interested. But my interest grew much more than that. I've always looked
skyward when I hear a plane, a jet, a helicopter. I've always looked up
and wanted to get up there. School, life and baseball got in the way of
those dreams when I was a teenager. When I turned 40 I just wtf and went
for the intro flight. That was a life changing experience.

Do you have a "thirst for knowledge" (e.g. would you rather be in
school than working)?

This question describes me in some ways. I describe myself as a life
long learner. I hope that continues to be true. I was just having a
conversation w/ a neighbor about flying and being a pilot. I was shocked
with my approach to answering the questions. It really gets under your
skin and changes the way you think about flying (the technical aspect).
I was going thru the IMSAFE acronym and what that all means. It is a
great learning experience.


Are you a "control freak" (type-a)?


not a control freak, but very motivated.

Do you have hints of "delusions of grandeur?" or is it more like "I'm
on top of the world when I fly"
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?


extrovert.
If given the choice, would you rather read fiction or an aviation
oriented book?

the latter, easily. I don't read fiction. Biz, history, politics that's
my book shelf.

(For those that use the radio) Do you find that you have always had
good communication skills?
Are you left brained or right brained (logic-and-math or Artsy
fartsy)?

software engineer.
Or am I missing something soooo obvious that I'll die of embarassment
when it's pointed out to me? Or even worse, is there no measurable
psychological correlation to flying and I'm just out to lunch
(wouldn't be the first time g)

Note:
I was thinking about including education history (e.g. are pilots more
likely to be college graduates) but that introduces 2 biases (age and
income) into it. However maybe a question along the lines of "while
in school did you consider yourself to be a good student" would be
better.