I clearly remember my first flight trip from Madras (MAA) to Chicago (ORD) with stop overs in Bombay (BOM) and New York (JFK) back in 1993. On the MAA - BOM segment, there was a gentleman from Australia sitting next to me. Having learned that it was my first flight, he made sure air hostess got me what I wanted. I was so excited and pretty much glued to the window whenever I could see outside!
I got to make another trip to Chicago in 1993 followed by an assignment in Honolulu, Hawaii the very next year. This time, my wife and I with our 9 month old daughter headed eastward from MAA to Honolulu (HNL) via Delhi (DEL) and Tokyo (NRT). We completed a trip around the world when we moved to Richmond (RIC) in 1995 followed by a visit to India in 1996. I guess you could say, Around the world in 21 months!
I am fascinated with flying and airplanes since then. We attended a Fly-in at the Petersburg airport (PTB) and started my first ground school in 1999 through the County of Henrico Adult Education program. Those days, the county used to have a flying program for students at the Highland Springs High School. The same instructor taught us the ground school. Around that time, I took a 30 minute demo flight in a Cessna-152 at the Hanover airport (OFP). I was glad there was a sick bag on the plane! :-(. With this experience and with all the restrictions ensued for non-citizens following 9/11, I put my interest on hold. Attended ground school for the second time in late 2007 at the Chesterfield airport (FCI), cleared the written exam with 97% and got the second class medical cum student pilot certificate right before I turned 40.
If I go to a local FBO on the week ends, it will take around 6 months to complete the minimum 40 hour flight training to become a Private pilot. There is a flight school in Florida offering 2-week accelerated Private Pilot training. With the written expiry date fast approaching, I have decided to give this a shot. I know it is not going to be easy with so much to learn in such a short span. Saying it will be like drinking through a Fire hose would be an under statement. So, I need all the encouragement I can get.
I got to make another trip to Chicago in 1993 followed by an assignment in Honolulu, Hawaii the very next year. This time, my wife and I with our 9 month old daughter headed eastward from MAA to Honolulu (HNL) via Delhi (DEL) and Tokyo (NRT). We completed a trip around the world when we moved to Richmond (RIC) in 1995 followed by a visit to India in 1996. I guess you could say, Around the world in 21 months!
I am fascinated with flying and airplanes since then. We attended a Fly-in at the Petersburg airport (PTB) and started my first ground school in 1999 through the County of Henrico Adult Education program. Those days, the county used to have a flying program for students at the Highland Springs High School. The same instructor taught us the ground school. Around that time, I took a 30 minute demo flight in a Cessna-152 at the Hanover airport (OFP). I was glad there was a sick bag on the plane! :-(. With this experience and with all the restrictions ensued for non-citizens following 9/11, I put my interest on hold. Attended ground school for the second time in late 2007 at the Chesterfield airport (FCI), cleared the written exam with 97% and got the second class medical cum student pilot certificate right before I turned 40.
If I go to a local FBO on the week ends, it will take around 6 months to complete the minimum 40 hour flight training to become a Private pilot. There is a flight school in Florida offering 2-week accelerated Private Pilot training. With the written expiry date fast approaching, I have decided to give this a shot. I know it is not going to be easy with so much to learn in such a short span. Saying it will be like drinking through a Fire hose would be an under statement. So, I need all the encouragement I can get.
Please feel free to post your comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Ravi,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to learn that you are doing this. It is important that you give your best for the things you love. I am glad you are able to do this. All the best. I know you can do it.
Prasant
Kudos to you on attempting such a difficult task in a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you in the pilot's seat with me as a passenger very soon.
HI Ravi,
ReplyDeleteWish you all the BEST in your pilot training and we will be always there behind you to encourage every step you took.
Harsha, Roja, Chatur
Bravo varma,
ReplyDeleteYou can do and I am sure you will succeed.
Don't forget to signal us whenever you fly over our heads
PVSSVP Raju
Varma Gaaru, knowing you...I think you can do this :-) Keep your cool (you never used to in those days in Chennai but still try!!!) and take it easy, all the very best.
ReplyDeleteGo Chinnanna! You can do it! Can you take us up on a plane in two weeks?
ReplyDeleteIf there is somebody who can do this that would be you Varma. I wish you the very best.
ReplyDeleteIf it is for adventure enjoy the thrills. We all wish you safe flying! China Mavayya
ReplyDeleteHope u can finish your course safely!
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice to have a private pilot in our family!
Maybe you can give us free trips from India to US, once in a while!
Best of Luck! =)
I remember those flying magazines lying on your bathroom floor.. and thought that was crazy..now I know you have a dream and good that you are following it through.You have a wonderful time and come out with flying colors.
ReplyDeleteYour sis says congratulations on fulfilling your desire...keep it going. Hope this inspires someone from our family(next generation) to take it on..Cheers Vasu & Rama
Hi Ravi .. Congrats and great to know about ur interest. I am sure you can do it. Good Luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteRavi, I am impressed. You have a passion for flying so I know that you will do well.
ReplyDelete