Plane Conversations

I haven’t written a blog in some time, and that really goes to show I’ve been busily trying to finish up my private pilot.  A few weeks ago I was studying fanatically for my written test.  Not being one who likes to “have my head in the books” (I learn better by doing), I pushed myself to put in the time to study. It paid off, because I easily passed, which was a huge relief to me.  It seemed at the time just before the test that it would be the biggest step in my path to becoming a pilot.  (I understand that would not be the case for everyone, but for me, takings tests is nerve-wrecking and makes me entirely anxious.)  But now that it’s done, I realize it wasn’t the hardest step. 

Now I’m of the opinion that my solo cross country is going to be the big one.  But wait a minute!  Wasn’t my first solo supposed to be the big one?  What I’m getting at here is that I’ve discovered that the path of becoming a pilot has challenges the entire journey – once I got over the hump of my solo, I then had the written test hump.  Now that I’ve done the written test, I’ve got the solo cross-country.  So, I can now see that once I’ve done the solo-cross country, it will then be the check ride and oral that will likely give me a few sleepless nights.  And after that, well, after that I have my license to get out there and REALLY learn how to fly!  I just need to relax and enjoy the feeling of achieving my goals.

So in a few weeks, I’m hoping to be ready for my check ride.  This is what’s left:

              
DUAL NIGHT X-COUNTRY      
          
LOCAL SOLO TIME 4 HOURS 
                  
SOLO 50 MILE X-COUNTRY 
                
SOLO 2 STOP 150 MILE TOTAL X-COUNTRY

CHECK RIDE PREP 3 HOURS

Am I still anxious about any of this?  Yeah, but my past accomplishments help me every day.   There really is no better feeling than that of accomplishment.  It is a motivator and a confidence builder, and with the highs and lows of learning to fly, it is as satisfying as clear blue skies.

 One more noteworthy comment:  having a great instructor helps.  Kirk has been invaluable in my progress.  He has pushed me when I’ve needed to be pushed, been patient when I’ve stumbled on the radio, praised me when I’ve done a great landing, and slapped my hand when I’ve taxied too fast!  Thanks Kirk.  I promise to slow down for my check ride!

www.wingsmqy.com

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward. “ Amelia Earhart

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Recently, as Tropical Storm Bonnie looked like she was going to take a walk up Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans, I was reminded of Hurricane Katrina, which, five years ago, lead to my unexpected move to Tennessee.  I was reminded of the powerless feeling of watching that kind of power approach my home and take nearly everything I had.  Remembering my own experiences always reminds me of the January earthquake in Haiti and how, in spite of the upheaval, I was among the most fortunate of people.

Ten months after Hurricane Katrina, my street was still without power.  Let that sink in for a minute.  Nearly one year later, in what is arguably the most advanced country on the planet, there were still people using generators.  We are now closing in on five years later and that region is STILL obviously recovering, but it’s old news.  The TV crews are gone.  The journalists are still busy covering the oil spill or some new sex scandal.  No one wants to hear about it anymore, even though Habitat for Humanity, Make It Right and many other organizations are still working tirelessly to put New Orleans and other affected areas back together.  Make no mistake, though.  It will take many more years, if not actual decades, before the area is fully recovered.  And the people still living there deal with it every single day.

Now, shift your attention to Haiti, one of the poorest countries on the globe, if not the poorest.  Some 250,000 people died and 1.3 million were left homeless in a country of 9 million.  A disaster with proportionate damage in the United States, with a population of some  307 million people, would have left 8.5 million people dead and 44 million homeless.  It’s the population of New York City killed and the population of California and Virginia left homeless.   Those numbers are approximate, but you get the idea – massive, massive impact.  As an industry, General Aviation has sent literally hundreds of flights into the area, landing even on dirt roads, bringing in personnel and supplies after the January earthquake.  As a company, we were fortunate enough to be able to help in some small ways to the relief efforts.  As individuals, we have contributed in private ways, as well.  In April, four months after the event, reports showed that donations and contributions were dwindling.  By now, they are minuscule.

I wasn’t in that earthquake and I don’t personally anyone who was.  I don’t have a personal agenda here.  However, I lost nearly everything I owned to Hurricane Katrina and I owe the lion’s share of my recovery to individuals and organizations who reached out to help me when I was all but hopeless.  I know what it feels like to face sudden, almost incomprehensible loss.  In the attached document, I’m sharing my story with you in hopes that you will remember them.  In the global scheme of things, I was so very fortunate, while they are not.  Just because they had fewer possessions to lose at the outset does not mean that they are any less shattered.

Shame on us if we don’t support the efforts of NGOs still in the thick of things, striving to make a difference – organizations like Can Do, World Vision, Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity and others.  Shame on us if we allow that disaster to become nothing more than a sound-bite.

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