Hmmm, add "novelist" to my repertoire?

I had this strange idea a few years ago of becoming a writer. My angst was building, it was just after I moved to Florida, and I had to let it out somewhere. So, I wrote a book, which is still in my hard drive, tentatively titled "Fly, Young Pilot, Live". I was in the middle of opening doors to aviation. I was in a flight training slump, looking for work, and going to school. And I wrote the main character, whom I named "John Allendale", to be modeled after myself; US-born of hispanic heritage with an Anglo-Saxon name, obsessed over flight, immersed in reggae music, stuck without a girlfriend when the desire to be loved blossomed into a furious love for someone, crossroads in life, longing to return to California (his home state), and making it big in aviation. I'm not sure if it will be a hit, but either way, it's worth a stab.

But, none of you ever heard of the book, as it is still in my hard drive. And in a computer that does not work anymore. Genius me, I never saved it on a disk. But I still have the hard drive, and it's still in working order, so it's just a matter of extracting the file (among others). Will I call a publisher to get the book out? I'm not sure. I'm not even familiar in the process. But it's a matter of tracking down a social studies teacher I had in high school, whom I just found out had retired recently. His name is Pete Justus, and his book is a compilation of poems, titled "Truths Taps and Time". I had the privilege of having him for history in my 10th and 11th grades at Westchester High School (Go Comets!). I'm aware that he does poetry readings at a place in Santa Monica called "The Rapp Saloon". It's a place I intend visiting this June, when I go on vacation back to the place I belong (all the while, looking for an opportunity to live there once again). And although we had our disagreements when November rolled around (he graduated from UCLA, and my intent at the time was to attend USC), all that was put aside when we started talking about one common passion: Corvettes. I wish to own one someday, even if it's one from the 1980s. They're all workable. It's just a matter of modding the car until it's your own. He owns a dark blue C-5 Vette, with UCLA plates gracing the front and back. But it's a stickshift, as all Corvettes should be.

Look up my friend's book, "Truth Taps and Time" at your local bookstore, or at any large online book retailer. And look for Mr. Pete Justus at the Rapp Saloon at 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica, California. He's a great guy, and if you get him started on Corvette heritage, you'll be there for hours, as I have not too long ago.

Blue Skies.


Last Minute Addition: Be sure to check out his poem "My Hometown". It's a very nice poem, even if it is from one of the "Boys from Westwood".

A Big "FIGHT ON!" Shoutout, and preparing for the instrument test...

Well, this year's Rose Bowl was pretty much a non-event. And with a score like 38-24 over Penn State, it makes me question the entire BCS system again. A conventional playoff system should be instituted. That is the only way you can put two formidable teams, based solely on performance, rather than what a group of coaches and journalists believe, along with numbers entered in six independent computers could EVER produce! This will unfairly skew the chances for a fresh athletic department that nobody has heard before that is nailing win after win getting to a bowl game. If it's not a school like USC or Notre Dame, give me one good reason why a different school can't be at a bowl game! GET RID OF THE BCS!!! End the 'Bravo-Sierra' NOW!!!



On to flying, as I posted earlier, I passed my Private Pilot Written. I'm getting ready for the instrument class. And I'll also concentrate in getting more flight time and get at least one checkride done. As far as college goes, I'll be completing that soon. I just need time and money. And ground school right now is cheaper. But I'll be getting back to ERAU soon. I should be back by March with college. And hopefully, by summer, I'll have my private pilot ticket in my hand.

I've been getting a lot of support from our pilots at my airline. They ask how I'm doing with school, and I tell them about my test, and they tell me to keep plugging away. And I'll be doing just that. Finish everything I need, and simply build flight time whenever I can. I can't afford going to a large flying academy, like Delta Connection Academy (which I had considered going to), but flight time is flight time no matter where you get it.

To the great Sky above, and to Aviation who has shown her love to me, I'll return soon. You can mark my words! I'll return soon.

Just like that song...

Just like that Aerosmith song, "I'm BAAAAACK In The Saddle Again!!!!!"

It feels great to be back!


Taking flight once again, embodying my life dream. Being at the controls of an airplane, flying, shadowing the earth lovingly with my wings of success and accomplishment.

This past Sunday, I went flying with some students from the ground school class I'm taking. After a group preflight, another student, and myself, were selected to fly first. From Boca Raton (BCT), we flew under the command of Kevin Formica, teaching student who was with me to Palm Beach County Park Gassaway Field (LNA). What a beautiful day to go flying. But it didn't sink into me until after we landed. We traded places, and I was at the controls on the way back. And what a flight. Kevin made everything fast for me (as it should be. I'm an Embry-Riddle guy, and I should learn at ERAU's standards). Although I had a little difficulty with keeping ahead of the airplane (I was just a little ahead), I felt good throughout the flight.



And I called Boca Tower! I guess I finally got over my fear of talking to a tower. I am happy!

I am happy. I am happy and very thankful to have flown. Especially after four long years of waiting. I'm glad to know that all that waiting was not in vain. I know that when I formally kickstart my flight training and hire an instructor, I will be able to learn fast and efficiently, and I will be able to complete my flight training on a set schedule. I will be able to complete my flight training to get my private pilot license. One hour at a time, learning, at my pace, and training with an instructor who loves flying, not just one who wants to build time to get hired by an airline. I'm going to learn to fly. I am resolute on completing my mission.

That's another thing that I noticed when I flew Sunday. I felt like I became a mission-oriented pilot. I did everything to fulfill the mission.



That day, I felt Aviation's love again. I felt her with me after the flight, and through the night. Again, I felt her love, after so long. Aviation has not forgotten me, just as how I never forgot Aviation. I felt the love of flying once more.

And it was beautiful.

To all my readers, blue skies and tailwinds.