Flying lessons and more

I have to say that very few activities which I have participated in lately provide the thrill, exhilaration, and sense of freedom that flying a plane does. It took a few lessons to get the hang of it, but once I understood the basics I felt that I could handle the plane and fly forever. Landing is another story however. I've started to develop a sense of the timing, coordination, and nuance of the controls that it takes to hit the runway at the right spot and get the plane to roll along the way you sort of expect it to - you know, the way you see them do in the movies,. on TV, and when you watch one in person. I have no doubt that I will be able to land the plane one day.

I have also started to do more studying - yep, studying. There's a lot more to getting a pilot's license than pulling back on the throttle and turning right and left. As a matter of fact, if you aren't aware, there are verbal and written parts to the entire testing process, and it includes a lot of technical jargon, methodology, and other mumbo jumbo that you have to know inside and out. I have several thick textbooks and workbooks that deliver these details and the entire mishmash of facts, history and whatnot that you have to know. And, it's actually quite fascinating. I am enjoying reading about this stuff and I am embracing it almost as much as the actual flying. Especially after last Tuesday when the air currents were full of joy in a way that bounced my plane up and down, twisting and turning, bumping and bobbing, so much, that by the time my one and a half hour practice lesson was over I was about to woof my cookies all over the cabin; which, by the way, is very, very small. Still, I can't wait to get back up there and do it again!

So, I'm about a month into this new activity, and I do enjoy it. I'm in it for the long haul, all the way to flying solo and getting my license. I will try to write as many posts as I can to give you an idea of what the whole thing is like. Who knows, you may even decide to give it a try.

Getting better all the time

Okay, in case you didn't know I've finally retired from my teaching job of 27 years and I'm on to the next chapter in my life. So, what's next you ask? That's my question too. I have so many ideas I don't know where to start. Actually, I do - I've started taking flying lessons and I hope to get a pilot's license within a year's time. I know I have started some dialogue about other subjects like yoga, and music, but for now, this will be my main venture, or at least what I will be mostly writing about for the near future. This might not be the most common, or sensible goal for someone who is recently retired, and now on a fixed, and reduced, income, but I have had ideas and desires to fly an airplane for as long as I can remember. So, here we go, into the wild, blue, yonder (sorry, I couldn't resist). I expect it will be exciting and interesting, and I will be reporting on, and describing this experience every step of the way. I hope you will check in on me, and my blog, to find out if it is as interesting as I think it will be - and, if you already fly, or have a pilot's license, I sure would love to hear some of what you have to say. Till next time, carry on!
Jamie