Up, Up and Away!

by David C. Eilering

Published in the July 1992 issue of Capitol Notes - A Capitol-EMI Music Inc. Newsletter

Flying has been one of my many interests for quite a while. However, I never seemed to find the time to obtain my pilot's license. A few acquaintances with pilot licenses and my first commercial flight pushed me over the edge. Like almost everyone else, I was apprehensive before my first commercial flight. After experiencing the sheer power of take-off and the anticipation of the wheels touching down as the plane landed, I was eager to pursue flying.

Although not required to begin flying, I decided to get the FAA written test out of the way. While living in Cleveland, Ohio, I took a weekend ground school class. I then took the FAA written test and passed. I didn't begin flying lessons until I moved back to Jacksonville.

A hurdle for student pilots is their first solo flight (without an instructor). It is such a milestone for students that traditionally the instructor cuts off the back of your shirt after completing the flight. This symbolizes "flying by the seat of your pants". Then the airport displays your shirt back for all to see until you get your "ticket" (pilot's license).

After about ten hours of dual flight time (with an instructor), my instructor warned me not to wear a shirt that I wanted kept intact. One cold, icy, winter day, my instructor and I were "shooting touch and go's" (practicing take-offs and landings). He asked me if I had my medical certificate with me (required to solo). I had it with me and knew he felt I was ready to solo. Unfortunately, I was wearing a shirt that I didn't want ruined! Not only that, I was a little nervous, too! The runway was a sheet of ice and the instructor was constantly wiping the frost off the inside of the windshield while I was trying to fly the plane. To an outsider, we probably looked like one of those Abbott and Costello skits!

To instill confidence, my instructor informed me that I had completed the last six touch and go's without his intervention. He also said the windshield wouldn't frost with just one person in the cockpit. I finally told him that I didn't feel ready. (I couldn't admit I was wearing my favorite shirt, right?) Shortly after that, on January 19, 1991, I soloed for the fist time. The feeling of being in complete control of a machine that can fly is exciting, fantastic, unbelievable, exhilarating, stupendous... INDESCRIBABLE! It give you a total feeling of freedom. Excluding a few regulations, you can go just about anywhere at just about anytime!

After receiving about one and a half years of instruction, I obtained my VFR Private Pilot Single Engine Land license on April 12, 1992. Achieving this license involved completing a ground school course, passing the FAA written exam, completing at least twenty hours of dual flight, completing twenty hours of solo flight, passing a medical exam and passing a competence check-ride with an FAA examiner.

If you have ever been interested in flying, I urge you to contact a local flight instructor. The instructor can help you decide the level of certification you wish to achieve. Within a short time, you too can enjoy the experience of flying.

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