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Flying |
From the time I was a small child, I used to dream that I would get up in the morning, go out into our yard to find an airplane sitting there. I would further dream that I would get into the airplane, start it up, take off, and fly !! I got away from this dream a bit, through my later years, having a family, and never having enough money. However, in 1996, at the age of 57, I was going though a bad time in my life, and felt I needed something to lift me up out of myself. On impulse, I called the local airport, spoke with Terry Politi, later to become my Instructor, and talked about it. I first asked Terry if I were too old to do this. He asked "What makes you think that?" I said that probably my reflexes were slower as I was older. He said something I never forgot.."that may be so, but your judgement is probably better....the main concern of the FAA is safety". I then made an appointment for the next day. Fourteen months later, I passed my test, and got my Private Pilot's license, which I still have. I completed another bi-annual last fall, and am good for another year now. I received a great deal of monetary help from others to do this, as it was expensive; especially from Lou and Carter Lockwood, and members of my family. I would like to say that Terry is one of the finest teachers I have ever known....thorough, patient, and kind. I would also like to say that the crew at Adirondack Flying Service in Lake Placid has always treated me as "one of the guys", and all came to my retirement party in May of 2004. I will never forget that. In the summer of 2006 I began to have some health problems that would have interfered with my flying....I have not flown in two years, now being January of 2008. My license is good for life, once I again pass a physical and the checkride, so perhaps things will change in the future. See Website for Adirondack Flying Service : www.flyanywhere.com |