Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Transportationally Challenged

Thus far I have been in accidents on foot, rollerblades, scooter, bike, car and basically every single form of transportation that I’ve operated – so it’s with some trepidation that I announce I just completed my first flight toward my private pilot’s license. I’m hoping that I’ve grown up some and can take rules at face value without discarding them as mere suggestions. It’s a challenge to myself: can I take this seriously enough to do it? At the first inkling of trouble, I’ve got to be out because you don’t get many second chances up in the air.

For the curious, I’m flying a Cessna 172. I flew for about 45 minutes today. I took off, flew to Liberty Lake and back to Spokane, and then brought it in near the runway until my instructor took over and landed it. My understanding is it goes about 100 to 125 mph. They have some bigger, faster planes – even a few that land on the water. That’d be a cool commute, huh? It’s really quite beautiful and freeing up in the air. It’s a completely different perspective.

My goal is to see some more of the area. I’d also like to visit the capital of every state. This would be a great way to take off on the weekend, go somewhere exotic like – Little Rock, Arkansas – and then back to Spokane. Of course I’d visit them in the order they joined the Union – just for some added joy. Obviously I’m not there today. I’m going to mull it over, see if it pencils out, and if so - it’ll take a few months to get my license, so wish me luck!

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