Flying an aircraft is more than a hobby: it demands precision, strategic thinking, and a calm mindset under pressure. The completion of my journey to the skies, while challenging, provided me with a set of extremely unique and widely applicable skills. While exhilarating, it was very demanding. My aviation career began with a discovery flight with a certified flight instructor (CFI), igniting my passion for soaring in the air. 

Acquiring a private pilot's license was more intense than I anticipated. I had to learn, comprehend, and apply a vast amount of knowledge (e.g. aerodynamics, navigation, weather, medical applications, and familiarity with rules and regulations). The result? Hard-working late nights and early mornings.

     After a few months, my CFI cleared me for a first solo flight. I performed three takeoffs and full-stop landings independently to demonstrate my understanding of the plane and safety. If an issue arose or something went wrong, such as engine failure, I had to take full responsibility for assessing the situation and resolving the problem. This was the first step to becoming a private pilot. 

Balancing school and flying was challenging. I had to wake up and perform maneuvers in the sky at extreme hours in the morning before school. Despite these long eighteen-hour days, I managed to not experience fatigue. Flying wasn't just another task or job; arriving at the airport at unconventional hours to practice aviating maneuvers was both rewarding and a testament to my passion and dedication.

     After months of studying, evaluating, and practicing, it was time for the “check ride.” This was a three-hour written exam and two hands-on hours of perfecting maneuvers, including emergency landings, short/soft field takeoffs, and landings, steep turns, stalls, slip-to-land, etc. The exam was an endurance test, both physically and mentally.