Be-A-Pilot Kudos
Encouraging words from Real-World Pilots
Be-A-Pilot Kudos
Encouraging words from
Real-World Pilots
Last Updated March 18, 2006
Student pilots go through many highs and lows (pun) along the road to earning their PPL. Words of encouragement motivate students to keep on going. Here are some encouraging comments posted by WWAL airmen to those who are learning to fly.
Hal Groce responds to Pamela Kelmer's Intro. Flight Comments... (January 6, 1998)
Pamela:
I read your comments on the "Be A Pilot" response form with great excitement. I remember my first flight like it was yesterday (it was seven years ago). It was a sunny January day with CAVU weather. We took off in a C-152, from Dekalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta (PDK), and flew up to Lake Lanier and then to Stone Mountain. I got to handle the controls for the entire "cruise" portion of the flight, and was immediately hooked. It took one year to the day, but I got my Private Pilots License and was on top of the world.
In between that first flight and my successful check ride I experienced a full range of emotions, from frustration to elation. The road to the private ticket is a marvelous experience that tests your will and lifts your spirit. There are so many steps in the process that you, at times, feel like you'll never get a grasp on them all. The neat thing is that without really noticing you've done it, you move to the next level (it just hits you on a flight that what used to take extra thought and effort has become second nature).
I'm glad that WestWind was able to be a part of getting you in the left seat of that Tampico. I hope your flight training is as much fun as mine was, but does not take as long to get you to the check ride. :)
Blue Skies,
Hal Groce
President and CEO - WestWind Airlines
Joe Clemmons wrote... (May 11, 1997)
I am a GA pilot with some 500 hours logged. Many potential "real" students I have talked with have a multitude of questions.
There are probably a fair portion of real-world pilots, both GA and professional in the airline that could provide valuable guidance and support to potential students. Possibly we could publish a list, or in some way make that info available to potential students.
I have seen many a student drop out for lack of support and encouragement. Part of this I believe due to apathy on some instructor's parts, but in general just because nobody is there to push them on. Some have particular problems in a certain phase, and it might be nice to have a 'friend' to talk through it, etc.
One point I would also like to make, and somehow publish, is that the student-instructor relationship must 'work'. It is imperative that personalities will be able to get along, and that a rapport is easily built. I know. I switched three times for that very reason (probably my fault). However, in the previous two situations I was not learning, and felt at odds at each lesson. The third instructor and I hit it off great from day 1; I was his first grad in 45 hours. He is still a great friend to this day.
Well, my two cents are in. Certainly willing to support this effort in any way I can.
Ray Steile, former WWAL airman, wrote... (May 8, 1997)
When one only sits behind the keyboard, they can not understand the true feeling of flying. Sitting behind the yoke of a real aircraft says it all. On my first flight lesson........oh gosh, 20 years ago, I was allowed the opportunity to control the Cessna 150 on take-off......nothing like it.
One can only truly appreciate the virtual experience of flying sims after having flown in real-life. I have flown a number of hours in C-172's and Bonanzas, as well as on commercial flight simulators.....and I can say with conviction.....the MSFS is close to real-life as it gets.......as long as you add weather conditions to it and don't use the autopilot to land.
Chris Witzke wrote... (May 7, 1997)
Last year I got up the nerve, and headed down to Honolulu international to a flight school there. The intro flight was $40 and well worth it. Sitting in the left seat, I taxied, took off, flew the VFR Departure assigned to us by clearance, and well...I pretty much flew the plane the whole time except for landing. I was hooked!! I am now working towards my PPL, but don't plan on stopping there. A career as a pilot is my dream, and I'm working to make that dream a reality.
