People Are Interested In Aviation

With my newly found interest in aviation, I am surprised how often I find people who want to talk about flying.  I bring copies magazines (like AOPA's Flight Training) with me on commercial flights, and those sitting next to me will almost always comment on my reading materials.  Some are pilots, others want to be pilots, while others still just think it is cool to fly.

When I read BusinessWeek or FastCompany Magazine I never get a comment.  One issue of Flying, and wammo --- I am chatting with the person next to me about airplanes.

This brings up an a paradox.  The number of pilots is decreasing and those in the general aviation industry are clearly worried about attracting the next generation of pilots, and yet the average person is at least curious about flight.

I asked a non-pilot, who dreams of flying, why he does not take the actions to get his private pilot certification.  He was quick to answer that it is expensive, takes a lot of time, and is difficult.  I am finding that while all of that is true, it is not nearly as daunting as many believe.

If you have a desire to fly, do not just assume that the process is out of your reach.  While I am taking it very slow to make sure I know what I am doing (and to ensure the desire lasts before I commit the time or money)... it is becoming very clear to me that becoming a pilot is a real possibility for anyone who wishes to learn to soar in the sky.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Flying Is No Longer The Same

As a professional speaker I fly commercially all the time (over 50 flights last year)... but since I began studying aviation everything is different in how I experience travel.

This is not a bad thing (in fact, it is pretty cool), but my attention to the airplane, airport, crew, and other aspects of the flight experience is definitely changing.

I find myself looking closely at the shapes of the planes, the wings, etc.....  I get into conversations with people about flight.  I look out the window as we takeoff and land.  I review the shapes of the clouds and study the weather (and wonder if I was in a private plane how the differing weather might impact my flight plan).

Flying is no longer the same.  It is not just an ends to the getting me from point A to point B.  It is now something that has my attention.  I am inspired by flight, and I think about how much cooler it would be to be in a Cirrus than in a big jet.  ;-)

Have A Great Day

thom singer