To this day, I still remember my first flying lesson in April of 1978. I recall the odd mixture of emotions: excitement, anxious, trepidation, etc. My thoughts had been building for over a week, and my mind was wandering around thinking, will I like it? Will I get airsick? Will I be scared? Can I do it? All of those thoughts were for naught, as I took to flying like the proverbial duck takes to water. In fact, it formed an incredible addiction. I’d work multiple jobs, and do whatever it took for one more lesson, one more flight. Each lesson in that Cessna 172 cost $23 per hour wet, and $10 per hour for the instructor. That seems like a mere pittance today, but back then, one lesson was 2 days wages.
I liked my first flight instructor. He was easy going, yet demanding. As was typical of those days, he was on a trajectory building time before landing a job as a commercial pilot, which happened after I soloed. But from day 1, he helped mold me into the pilot I am today. He was a stickler for a solid pre-flight of the aircraft. If I missed a step, he didn’t, and he explained what the error could potentially cost me. He also taught me the value of checklists, instead of just ticking things off in your head. And my first flight instructor was demanding of performance along with emergency procedures, things that would save my life in the future. He was a great guy. Even though I don’t know where he ended up or what happened to him, I hope he had a fantastic career.
I still remember the overwhelming sensation of leaving the Earth for the first time, slowly climbing into the atmosphere. It was sheer bliss, and my senses were alive and electric. Seeing the ground fall away below us, I marveled at the beauty of flight. That first flight was textbook, meaning a positive experience flying to another airport and landing uneventfully, then returning, along with a few basic flight maneuvers thrown in for good measure. But aviation had it’s hooks in me.
Most people dream the dream, but few are bold enough to live the reality. If you want to fly, go for it! …Matt – aka This Old Pilot
That first lesson left a positive impression on me. I was able to actually fly an airplane! I could turn it, bank it, change altitude, fly straight and level, etc. Yet all the time, that instructor stressed safety. However, he had developed the art of doing it in a manner that wasn’t scary. Because of his calm and cool demeanor I continued, and looked forward to each lesson. In fact, they couldn’t happen soon enough for me. But back in the 1970’s, general aviation was happening. It was busy, and sometimes lessons would be scheduled 2 weeks in advance.
I am the first and only pilot in my family. I have no idea why I took to aviation the way I did, but it has been one heck of a ride. The things I’ve seen and witnessed over the years sometimes are close to indescribable. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve truly been blessed to have slipped the bonds of Earth, and flown above it.