What finally prompted you to take flying lessons?

In 1968, I was a 24-year-old single engineer. One day at work, I was
invited to go flying with two co-workers and another young engineer
who was going up to maintain his night currency in a 182.
Originally, there had been somebody else scheduled, but he dropped out
at the last minute and the other guys happened to think of me. I was
thrilled. I even broke an engagement with my old college roommate,
who was in town for that night only.

It turned out that the pilot had an instructor's rating from
Switzerland and was thinking about getting his US rating -- but he
only wanted to teach engineers because he didn't want to have to
explain basic physics.

How much would a license cost, I wanted to know. I was surprised by
how reasonable it was and jumped at the chance. (C150s were $14/hr
wet. I don't remember what Jean-Francois' hourly rate was, but I
wound up getting my private for $800. I had my first lesson on April
13, soloed on June 13 and passed my checkride on September 13.)

Prior to that, I had always figured that flying was for people with
lots more disposable income than I had.

Don

"Don Tuite" wrote:
Prior to that, I had always figured that flying was for
people with lots more disposable income than I had.

I still think that, but it doesn't stop me.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)

I was that mediocre athlete who played right field in grade school
baseball. I sucked at it because every time a bird or airplane flew
over, I'd be watching it instead of the line drive ball zinging toward
me. Oh the humility! I spent a zillion hours going around in circles
plowing the same fields that turned to dust and drove many people from
the southern plains during the 30's. But, out of those dust clouds
arose a family that included a cousin who became WWII B-17 pilot who
died winning the congressional medal of honor and an uncle who taught
hundreds of servicemen to fly. Then he watched as Uncle Sam sent them
on to the flak filled skies of Europe to defend our freedom and secure
my future. That same uncle was still an active cfi and airplane owner
well into his 90's. At one time he was the oldest active pilot in the
U.S.A. With a family background like that, I had to learn fly, (even
though my dad discouraged me because it was too dangerous).


"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

"Don Tuite" wrote:
Prior to that, I had always figured that flying was for
people with lots more disposable income than I had.

I still think that, but it doesn't stop me.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)

I grew up around airplanes and airports - Dad is an A&P. Got a few rides
from friends. Pretty much wanted to be a pilot as long as I can remember.
Money kept it out of reach. Went thru AFROTC to pay for college. Got a
degree in aero eng. Either money or work kept me away for years. Then in
'88, I was listening to Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly" and thought to
myself, "why not." So I did.

Gerry