Flight School

So today was the first day of flight school. It was surreal. To be there, in class, learning (or reviewing) the basic fundamentals of aerodynamics. All my life I've wanted to be a pilot. It's been about three and a half years since I signed on the line, became government property, and was promised this day. 

The instructor asked the class how many students wanted to fly ever since they were little. It was surprising to see almost all the hands go up. All these people share the same passion and enthusiasm as me and we're all here for the same reason.

Then he told us how much of an institution naval air training was and how it has been in the same building for a looong time. He brought up old Mercury and Apollo astronauts who were Naval and Marine aviators. Jim Lovell (Apollo 13 Commander), John Glenn (first American to orbit), Blue Angel pilots and pilots who have flown in the war on terror - all have sat in the same exact classroom as the one I was in. 

Even down to the videos he showed. I've seen many many aviation videos and shared them with friends who said, "oh that's cool." But I could tell others could appreciate and had the same enthusiasm for those type of things as I did.

Thinking about it, its like the major leagues. A really good baseball player sticks out in his hometown or his school. But when he gets to the pros, hes just as equal as everyone else (unless he's A-Rod). I might have been the most enthusiastic about flying and loved planes more than my friends or anyone back home, but here in Pensacola, the cradle of naval aviation, EVERYONE shares the same passion. And that is motivating, satisfying and scary all at the same time. I love it.

And I love my job. (and my fiance too, of course!!)