Homebuilt
Check out my local EAA Chapter 1367, here in Orangeburg, SC. This chapter was founded in March, 2003...
Well, since I joined a chapter in the EAA, I just had to start building a plane. Check it out here.

Skylark Association
We need more members in the Skylark Association, so if you have a Geared Cessna single (175, Skylark, P172-D), or experience with one, please join our type club!!!

Just a few pics here from the air from a Cessna 172 that I used to rent. This is CAE, Runway 5:

Tailwheel Endorsement
Finally in the fall of 2005, after quite a few hours in the Super D., I got my tailwheel endorsement (thanks Kurt!). I also received a fair amount of spin training... Enough to know that I actually enjoy doing it. One thing lead to another and now I'm trying to learn basic aerobatics. I know now from experience that my body is only good for about 5 g's in it's present state, but that's probably more than I ever need to pull for sportsman-class aerobatics anyways.

Tow Truck Driver
I spent the day of 6/11/2006 learning how to be a tow pilot, and did get my endorsement. Too bad I can't use it for profit yet as I don't have my commercial ticket! I'll have to work on that; but I digress.

The day was spent at Perry Intl. Airport :-) towing student pilots in a Balanik L-13. What fun that was! I was using a Super Decathlon (what a fun plane) to yank these poor souls into the air. I still have a lot to learn about towing, but all in all, the day was a blast!

The real thing
Itching to get into the pilot's seat for my self, I decided to get my private pilot's license the summer of 1999. I spent 43 hours over the course of 3 consecutive months and what do you know, I did get it!

There is nothing quite like controlling an aircraft by yourself in the empty (or not so empty) skies. The drone of the engine on take-off, the effortless dancing about and the thrill of the landing may seem so simple to some, but it's so much more for the few of us that can actually say "I'm a pilot..."

I see so many "hot-shots" at the airport and when I look at them I have to wonder if they realize, or feel the same way. Sometimes it just seems that the reason they did it in the first place was lost. I hope that I never become this type of person and enjoy flying for what it really is. It's a tremendous responsibility and a privilage that some people (unforunately) take for granted. Please if you are a pilot, and you are reading this, then take a moment to step back and remember why you are flying in the first place. Hopefully GA (general aviation) will be around, unthreatened, for years to come!

My Learning Experience
I learned to fly at South Albany Airport (4B0) in Selkirk, NY. When I was learning, it was a small, privately owned "strip" about 28 ft. wide and 2500 ft. long. Learning to fly (and land) there was a blessing because if you can land proficiently on that target, you can put down anywhere you want. People always complained because they thought it was too narrow, but I just think that's because they just aren't precise enough ;-) and spoiled by the larger runways... They (the airport) have since re-paved the runway and now it's about 100 ft wide and maybe a hair longer. So much for teaching students to land on a thread!

My primary instructor, Chris Fallang, was one of the greatest mentor's in my life. I believe that his by-the-book approach and determination is what let my get my "ticket" so fast. If you are in or near the Albany area, I highly recommend him as your instuctor. If you want to get in touch with him, or want to take a "first lesson" then drop me an email and I'll relay you to him.

N79438 was the tail number of the Cessna 172 I learned to fly on. That plane and I went through what I thought were some pretty great times (and there were some hairy ones too, like on my first solo cross-country!) All in all, it was a great experience, and I can say that I have my license :-D

More to come!
I haven't done any flying this year (2002) but soon I plan to get back into the left seat and get away all over again. In 2003, I plan on getting my instrument and commercial ratings which will in turn make me a much safer, more skilled, and more versatile pilot.

Update - Sep, 2004 - Alright... So I haven't yet accomplished my goals of becoming instrument/commercially rated. I'm am still working on that instrument rating, just not putting 100% into it right now. I'll get it one of these days!