The FAA asked me where my counties of preference are.
Palm Beach County, Florida
Why Palm Beach? I'm already here. No need to make a hard move. The towered airport under FAA control (i.e. not outsourced, like Boca Raton Airport) is Palm Beach International.
Martin County, Florida
I'm just south of there...the only towered facility there that is under FAA control is Stuart Airport/Witham Field.
Ventura County, California
Back in my home state, but away from LAX's Class B Airspace. The likely picks are Camarillo and Santa Barbara.
Los Angeles County, California
Some of the busiest airspace in the world, between LAX and Van Nuys Airport. Other airports that may become my second home are Santa Monica (where I started my flying), Torrance (where I was introduced to General Aviation), Hawthorne, and Long Beach.
I never thought I would be considered, as I still don't fit all the minimum requirements (a college degree in any field and a full-time job that I have held for at least two years).
I got furloughed from US Airways last year. Nearing a year away from the airlines. I worked part-time there. I slipped out of Embry-Riddle as I didn't take a class in two years (part-time with student loans from my previous school, Everglades University, held me back, and still are somewhat). I started working for a printing company/retailer about 45 days after getting the boot from the airline. I started full-time. However, I still haven't returned to school.
If I do get the job, however, I hope I can get third shift. Although it's the hardest shift, it will allow me to fulfill my responsibilities during the day without affecting my schedule. But, we have yet to see.
Regardless of the outcome with becoming an air traffic controller, I have formally dismissed the goal of becoming an airline pilot. I have become too old to compete (I know guys younger than me...albeit richer than I am...who are already flying jets, if they survived not getting furloughed).
I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Alejandro Maclean passed away this past Tuesday. He died in an accident while practicing aerobatics. His support and contagious love for flying will truly be missed. I wrote a posthumous poem to Alejandro and posted it on my poetry blog, as well as linked it to Alejandro's Facebook profile and fan page. You can read it here at GolfNovemberPoetry ("Para Don Alejandro", written in Spanish, his native language).
Te veo pronto, Don Alejandro.
Showing posts with label South Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Florida. Show all posts
15 March 2009
The Space Shuttle
Say what you want about NASA's noble steed. Whatever anyone says about it, one thing is certain: it has the undeniable power to amaze.
I learned that today, when I saw the Shuttle fly. I saw her, Discovery, fly for the first time in my life, with my own two eyes. Although there was 120 nautical miles between me and Titusville, I was able to see it clearly. What a beautiful sight! The colors were simply amazing. The dusk sky was a perfect canvas to see the Shuttle fly. The weather was perfect.
Our vantage point was my place of employment: Palm Beach International Airport. I drove to the parking structure, up to the seventh floor, and saw a group of people who also drove in, as well as some airline, airport, and TSA employees, enjoying the launch. I had my XM Radio receiver tuned to CNN audio, and heard the countdown. Amazing sight.
And that's from 120 nautical miles away from the Shuttle Landing Facility (TTS, previously X68)!
I still have to see it up close and personal, hearing the "blap-blap-blap" thunder of the solid rocket boosters. I want to feel the hairs on my back stand on end, in sheer, shivering recognition of the Undeniable Power of Aviation. The Wonders of Aviation bore witness today to a select few who had the privilege of seeing it at the Cape, an those within visual range who so much as even had the concern to bother and look.
The Wonders of Aviation need to be recognized. And today, she bore witness. I, along with my two sisters, saw the Wonder of Flight. Seeing the dreams of many people generations ago, who could only see the result, and fought their way to make that desired result an absolute reality. My hat is off to all of them: to those with wings spreading through learning, those that are aloft plying their trade with pride, and those with folded wings who fly no more through death. Their contributions are priceless, and should be remembered.
Sail high, Discovery! And a safe return home!
I learned that today, when I saw the Shuttle fly. I saw her, Discovery, fly for the first time in my life, with my own two eyes. Although there was 120 nautical miles between me and Titusville, I was able to see it clearly. What a beautiful sight! The colors were simply amazing. The dusk sky was a perfect canvas to see the Shuttle fly. The weather was perfect.
Our vantage point was my place of employment: Palm Beach International Airport. I drove to the parking structure, up to the seventh floor, and saw a group of people who also drove in, as well as some airline, airport, and TSA employees, enjoying the launch. I had my XM Radio receiver tuned to CNN audio, and heard the countdown. Amazing sight.
And that's from 120 nautical miles away from the Shuttle Landing Facility (TTS, previously X68)!
I still have to see it up close and personal, hearing the "blap-blap-blap" thunder of the solid rocket boosters. I want to feel the hairs on my back stand on end, in sheer, shivering recognition of the Undeniable Power of Aviation. The Wonders of Aviation bore witness today to a select few who had the privilege of seeing it at the Cape, an those within visual range who so much as even had the concern to bother and look.
The Wonders of Aviation need to be recognized. And today, she bore witness. I, along with my two sisters, saw the Wonder of Flight. Seeing the dreams of many people generations ago, who could only see the result, and fought their way to make that desired result an absolute reality. My hat is off to all of them: to those with wings spreading through learning, those that are aloft plying their trade with pride, and those with folded wings who fly no more through death. Their contributions are priceless, and should be remembered.
Sail high, Discovery! And a safe return home!
09 December 2008
Condolences...
Andrew Marc Rossignol
A young flight instructor at ATP based in Stuart (SUA). His goal was to fly for the airlines, as his father did. Aged 21.
Stuart Brown
A young Jamaican flight instructor who desired to fly for Air Jamaica after getting his ratings. He moved to South Florida to work on his ratings. Aged 25.
Edson Jefferson
A Jamaican pilot based at North Perry Airport (HWO) south of Fort Lauderdale at Pelican Airways. He was performing instrument training. Aged 30.
Bryan Sax
A professional pilot from Aspen, Co., working on his multiengine rating with Rossignol, he was a national ski racing champion, bartender, restauranteur, and flight school co-owner. Aged 37.
Rather than judging their actions, as the media likes to do, I will do something different.
These men died valiantly doing what they loved. These men were pilots, through and through. And to not support them or their families in this tragedy is hurtful to them all who fly and share their love of flight. With folded wings, they sleep in death. But they will not be forgotten.
To the families of Andrew Marc Rossignol, Bryan Sax, Edson Jefferson, and Stuart Brown, I give my condolences as a fellow pilot. You are in my thoughts. Their lives will never be forgotten.
The NTSB is currently investigating the acccident.
A young flight instructor at ATP based in Stuart (SUA). His goal was to fly for the airlines, as his father did. Aged 21.
Stuart Brown
A young Jamaican flight instructor who desired to fly for Air Jamaica after getting his ratings. He moved to South Florida to work on his ratings. Aged 25.
Edson Jefferson
A Jamaican pilot based at North Perry Airport (HWO) south of Fort Lauderdale at Pelican Airways. He was performing instrument training. Aged 30.
Bryan Sax
A professional pilot from Aspen, Co., working on his multiengine rating with Rossignol, he was a national ski racing champion, bartender, restauranteur, and flight school co-owner. Aged 37.
Rather than judging their actions, as the media likes to do, I will do something different.
These men died valiantly doing what they loved. These men were pilots, through and through. And to not support them or their families in this tragedy is hurtful to them all who fly and share their love of flight. With folded wings, they sleep in death. But they will not be forgotten.
To the families of Andrew Marc Rossignol, Bryan Sax, Edson Jefferson, and Stuart Brown, I give my condolences as a fellow pilot. You are in my thoughts. Their lives will never be forgotten.
The NTSB is currently investigating the acccident.
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