Celebrating Five Years as a Private Pilot

I spent much of my childhood and adult life looking up at the sky and dreaming of flying. In April of 2004 I decided to stop dreaming and making learning to fly a reality. Ninety-five days after taking my first introductory flight and after logging 47.2 hours I earned my Private Pilots license on August 1, 2004.

On Saturday, I celebrate five great years enjoying the benefits of my license including all the great places I have flown and experiences I have gained. To honor this milestone I am heading to Oshkosh, I can think of no more appropriate way to enjoy this achievement then a weekend of aviation fun at AirVenture.

In addition to my own personal flying experiences through this blog and the wonderful people I have met I have enjoyed some amazing flying experiences. Below are links to some of my favorite flights, experiences and lessons from the past five years.

Enjoy, I know I have:

• Solos: First Solo & First Solo Cross Country


• Flying with Family & Friends: First flight with my wife, Flying with my Dad to see Grandma & Taking a good friend flying


• Seeing MyFlightBlog in the Press: Wall Street Journal, AOPA Flight Training, AOPA Pilot & Pilot Getaways Letter to the Editor


• Aviation Fly-Ins and $100 Hamburgers: MyTransponder Fly-In & $150 Eggs & Toast


• Memorable Flight Experiences: Scenic New York City Flight, Flight in the B-17 Flying Fortress, Flights with Lima Lima, Flight in the T-6 Texan & Flying with the AeroShell Performance Team