Paths of Water...

Hearing this song reminds me of the first time I heard it. Not knowing the name, I crunched my brain into trying to figure out who made it.

The first time I heard this song was back in 2002. It was the first time I heard this song, and the first time I saw Sean D. Tucker perform in his Challenger II in its famous Oracle Red paint.

This was my second time at MCAS Miramar for the airshow. My first was in 2000...that year, I was bent on trying to make a career as an airshow pilot. Later, my political views and my view on war would dissuade me from performing at performing at military venues (let's get this straight...I'm a supporter of aviation. I am not a supporter of war. Airplanes know no boundaries. Neither should pilots). I could not live with myself knowing I performed at an airshow, where someone was inspired by my flying, and got into the military, only to kill. I do not want blood over my head. Absolutely not, but that's another story for another time.

I saw those colors in the sky...I saw those patterns in the sky...and it inspired me. Not to get into the military, but to fly. My high school years, I was obsessed about flight. This childhood love for flying grew incessantly, and continues to grow today.

"Paths of Water" is a song by Yanni that just so happened to be that song I heard at Sean D. Tucker's performance (which he still uses today). It's a beautiful song. And it's quite fitting with aerobatics...an alternative to the staccato of rock and pop that is normally heard with most other performers...this music adds a certain refinement to aerobatics, eliminating the view of "danger" and replacing it with "grace". Rather than aerobatics, it becomes more like "sky dancing". Your partner is the airplane, and your ballroom floor is the sky above the flightline.

Enjoy!

Setting Things Straight...

Well, as you know, I went to Palm Beach Flight Training last week to see if I could get back in the air. I know I have the mental capacity. But I also have the financial capacity to go an average of once a month. Though it's hardly anything, and any CFI can tell you that, it's better than nothing. It's better than sitting around and do nothing, simply "miss" flying.

I have also came to the realization that I can also go back to Embry-Riddle. That is my priority. The flying is nice, but the degree will put the food on the table. Earlier this year, I overhauled my financial habits, opened a new bank account, closed the old account, and started fresh. In doing so, I was able to properly budget my little bit of pay, and proved to myself that I am financially capable of going back to school. This time, to finish.

Tomorrow, I drive to Ft. Lauderdale, as I get paid, to register for class. I'll keep you updated.

Blue Skies and Safe Landings!

Though I couldn't fly...

It felt refreshing getting a ground knowledge refresher done. I am happy about that.

I got the prices at the flight school, and have an idea of how much it will cost me per hour to rent a plane with an instructor. So I'll be number crunching this week, and seeing how everything goes. I get paid next week, so I'll see if I'll do that.

Well, that is if I don't go to Sun-N-Fun in Lakeland!

Well, I'm getting back on the saddle tomorrow!

Ten years from my Young Eagles ride in Torrance, California, I'm getting back into the saddle with a stronger resolve to get my pilot's license, come what may.

I spoke to a US Airways pilot recently, who knows about my flight training, and he told me that with instrument ground school (which I am a little discouraged about), to keep plugging away at it. He was very reassuring. He said that it's difficult, but that I'm able to do it, he assured me.

To my pilots at US Airways who have shown so much support for me, thank you, one and all. Tomorrow, I join you in the skies. Though my machine will be significantly smaller, know that I will keep you in mind when I fly. You are where I want to be.

And to all the people in my life who have supported me thus far, tomorrow will officially begin my journey towards becoming a professional pilot. Thanks for your continual support. I will still need your help and support. Thank you so much!!!

Tomorrow, I'll unfurl my haggardly wings and shadow the earth lovingly with them. Tomorrow, I will flex my wings with regained strength, and spread them proudly, with great pride and undeniable power. My wings will fly again, and hopefully, will fly again with independence and visible power.

Tomorrow, I take flight!