Looking back as a kid, I never had the urge to want to fly airplanes. I always thought they were pretty cool, a genetic fascination received most probably from my father, who had books and books about aircraft on the shelves, anything from sleek fighters to the big ‘ol 747’s. I remember my first flight, I was about 4 or 5, my mother, brother and I flew from DTW to London Gatwick, with a fuel stop in Bangor, Maine. I do remember being PETRIFIED. I was absolutely convinced the pilot was going to pull some Top Gun, Maverick like manuever and we were gonna put that DC-10 on it’s back….

Fast forward 15 years.

Just joined The US Army out of High School, originally planning on being an Air Traffic Controller, an interest discovered in large part to United’s Channel 9. Alas, I fail the flight physical to do my eyes. Into the Intelligence Corps I go for 4 years hating electronics. Though it was while I was in the Army I started dabbling with Microsofts Flight Sim. 2002. By the time I get out of the Army in 2006, I’m an online pro, mastering DP’s and STARS online, even beginning to poke my head into the virtual Air Traffic Controllers realm. Earlier in 2005 I had taken my first flight lesson, a Cessn 152 in Chandler, AZ. I was hooked, I knew the Army was now just a matter of eating up time until I could do this for a living. While stationed in S. Korea, I frequented the Osan AFB’s Aero club. I logged nearly 20 hours while in S. Korea in 172’s, also doing my first Solo, departing after holding for wake turblulence from 4 F-16’s that were off on a training flight. I remember one of the pilots waving at me as I held on an intersecting taxiway as they passed by heading to the departure end of the runway…I started to understand that pilots, whether in a 1983 Cessna 172, or a F-16 Fighting Falcon all have a mutual respect for each other. What a cool club.

March 2007- Out of the Army for almost 7 months, married for about 5, FINALLY get flight school going full time. I’m flying Cirrus SR20’s for my Private out of Glendale, AZ.

May 19th, with 48 hours, I pass my PPL checkride, and am currently in the first few days of Instrument Ground school. And here I thought I knew all there was to know about the VSI! Silly me.

Welcome!