Tag: Private Pilot

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My Journey

Courage: How Fear Keeps Me Going

We admire people who are courageous. Better yet, we are inspired by them. They are giants in our eyes, whatever their physical stature. Even the smallest person can be a giant, a ‘force of nature’, if they are courageous.

What could you become, if you had a little more courage?

We could all do with a bit more courage. At least, I know I could. Anyone know any one selling courage in a bottle? I wish!…I don’t mean drugs. Although drugs can disinhibit us and give us a temporary ‘courage’ (if we can even call it that), it’s not always appropriate to be ‘under the influence’ and it certainly isn’t always healthy. I don’t think that the benefit of drug-induced ‘courage’ outweighs the costs.

Holding Back From Your Dream?

One of the biggest things that kept me from starting off on my dream of become a pilot was fear. How paradoxical then that one of the biggest things that made me finally pursue my dream of becoming a pilot was fear.

Fear can keep you from trying new things, from expressing yourself fully and from making yourself vulnerable. However, fear isn’t only an inhibiting force. It can enable you to run faster than you ever have, jump higher than you ever thought you could and endure far more than you ever have.

I’ve had the dream and hope of becoming a pilot, for as long as I can remember. That was the carrot. It was calling me forth, to an adventure unlike any I had ever embarked on. Interestingly, I didn’t do much about it. I stayed in my comfort zone, waiting to pursue my dream at a more convenient time.

What Will Happen If You Don’t Try?

What sprung me into action was the development of a new, more powerful fear than that which held me back. Instead of being shackled by the fear of what would happen if I went for my dream, I was pushed by the fear of what would happen if I didn’t.

I realised that life could actually pass me by, that I could spend another another 6 years, and then another, and another, and never get any closer to my dream.

I became afraid of being an old man and having my dream turn into nothing more than a bitter regrets. I became afraid of living a life of insignificance, doing everything other than the very thing I’m most passionate about.

I am afraid of becoming the kind of person I would become, if I were to allow fear to shackle and keep me from the righteous pursuit of living my dream. That person is neither the kind of person I would admire, nor the kind of person I would be inspired by.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that fear is the best fuel or motivator to get anyone to their goal. Hope is a powerful, sustainable and enduring force.

I’m just saying, if you must fear, fear what would happen if you didn’t pursue that which you know to be the most valuable pursuit, even in your own estimation.

Live your dreams. After all, is there anything better to do?

For more on how I’m getting on with learning to fly, check me out on the YouTube.👊🏾

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Flight Training My Journey

Shut Up and Let Me Learn

Flying at 2000ft, a few hundred feet below fluffy, dark grey clouds, my flight instructor asked me to perform a medium level turn to the left. A medium level turn is a turn of up to 30° angle of bank, at a constant altitude.

At first, my instructor talked me through the basic manoeuvre. It was clear I understood the theory but my body seemed to be lagging. I was all over the place. The more that he corrected me, the less thinking i was able to do. However, just a few minutes later, he asked me to do something that made a huge difference.

Cockpit of Cessna 152

You Is All You Get

Have you ever thought about the fact that whatever you’re going to achieve in life, your body, mind and being – which you possess right now – are the tools with which you must achieve it?

As such, it seems that one of the most important things you can do is learn to maximise these tools – to study yourself as much as possible and to place yourself in conditions that are most conducive to your success.

What do you like? What do you hate? What works for you? What doesn’t work for you? Why?

I’ve been convinced for years and nothing so far has happened to shake me from the idea that I should be my number 1 student. The more you learn how you function and put yourself in places that maximise you, the better the results you will get.

A Shift In Responsibility

The thing that made the difference was that my instructor asked me to talk through the manoeuvre. He sat back and listened, as he observed.

Somehow, talking through the manoeuvre allowed an increase in my  mind-body connection. My turns weren’t perfect, but they were waaay better. Where I made errors, I self-corrected relatively efficiently.

Thankfully my instructor was humble and aware enough to notice. He suggested that perhaps he should shut up and let me talk through the manoeuvres (more often). After watching the footage and thinking about it, I fully agree!

More Of That Please

As long as it is safe to do so, that seems to be what works for me. I now have the choice of ignoring that or taking advantage of that. Considering that cost of flight training, I think I’ll go for the latter. I’ve got to have a chat with my instructor and make it happen.

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Uncategorized

Go Fund Me: Future Pilot #SoloBy30

I can’t believe I’ll be turning 30 soon! I’m nearly a dinosaur, but I feel young (when I’m not tearing my quads from playing football without warming up). As they say, “you are as old as you feel”… Am I being a bit over-dramatic? Likely!

After debating it for sometime, I have decided to launch a ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign, in celebration of my 3 decades on the planet. I look forward to sharing more updates with you over the coming weeks.

IN BRIEF

Last year, I made the bold and probably crazy idea to start living in my car to put the extra cash towards achieving my childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Despite all the concerns, I knew this was the only way to truly kickstart my journey towards my dream.

The commitment and sacrifice I have made since last year has allowed me to make amazing progress towards my dream.  However, with only a teaching assistant’s salary and an hourly training cost of £180 (travel and equipment not included), progress has been slower than ideal.

This year, it is my goal to have my first solo flight by my 30th birthday, on 8th June 2021. This means, my instructor will allow me to fly the airplane alone, while he supervises from the ground. It’s one the most exciting phases of training – like a child taking its first steps!

I am only 10 Flying hours away from my first solo. Your financial gift will help make my dream come true, on one of the most significant years of my life.

THE BREAKDOWN
10 Flying Hours : £1,800
Class 2 Medical :  £200
Total                            £2,000

DEADLINE: 1st June 2021

I’ve been sharing my journey on YouTube, so you will be able to share in this exciting experience with me, seeing first-hand the life-changing impact of your financial gift of any amount.

Seriously, every little helps. If you can’t give, please do share my campaign with someone who might. Thank you in advance!

👉🏾Go Fund Me Campaign 👈🏾

👉🏾YouTube👈🏾

👉🏾instagram 👈🏾

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MY PROGRESS SO FAR

The last year brought many milestones. I had my first official flying lesson, I performed my first take off and landing as well as achieving a first time pass in 3 exams. I have 6 left to complete, before qualifying for a Private Pilot’s License. This, in itself, is waaay more progress than all the previous years put together!

In addition to that, I got myself a new laptop and basic flight simulator equipment. This would allow me to practice and maintain my skill in between lessons (useful during lockdowns!). Using the flight sim also means that I spend less time being bamboozled in the cockpit and more time refining what I already practised.

My GoPro and action cameras, bought over the last year, have allowed me to review and milk each flying lesson. In turn, this allows to make the most amount of progress possible. It also means that I can post on instagram and YouTube, where you can follow my adventure. 

What’s Next?

After my first solo flight, I will have around 30 more hours to complete before becoming eligible for a Private Pilot’s License.

Eventually, I hope to become a commercial pilot and work as a flying instructor, combining my passion for aviation wit my passion for teaching. For now that’s a long ways off. I would settle for a solo flight by the 8th of June. That’s what I will be preparing for.

In the distant (but not too distant) future, once I have my licenses, I hope to do outreach work to young people who may find themselves in disadvantaged positions. I hope that my story will encourage and inspire them to go after their dreams, early on, despite how impossible it might seem.

A statement in the book, ‘Key Person of Influence’, has stuck with me since the day I read. The author said, “Choose a game you are willing to play, win or lose”. Flying training, this is the game I have decided to play, win or lose. I hope that you will help me win. 

Your financial gift, of any amount, will go a long way in helping me realise my dream. I hope that you will support me on my journey. I look forward to giving you updates each step of the journey. 

Seriously, every little helps. If you can’t give, please do share my campaign with someone who might. Thank you in advance!

DEADLINE: 1st June 2021

👉🏾Go Fund Me Campaign 👈🏾

👉🏾YouTube👈🏾

👉🏾instagram 👈🏾