Information Overload

I've entered the second Week of Study for the written Flight Instructor Rating Exam. So far I've completed 13 practice tests, have read countless sections of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR's), and have reviewed most of what I learned for the Private and Commercial Licenses.

My desk and its immediate surroundings are covered by no less than 15 manuals/reference books. Any areas of desk surface free of books are home to a random assortment of essential study 'accessories' - things such as coffee cups and candy bars. Finally, there is a section of my floor occupied entirely by random notes on looseleaf paper that do not have a place anywhere else, but that I'm sure are important in some way.
Yup, I've reached the point of information overload.

It's a better situation than having too little information, especially if the information, as is the case here, is to used by the flight instructor on a daily basis. However, a part of me feels that I could sit here and study until the next Olympics, and still feel underprepared. 'Sigh'. Oh well. I sometimes think about what I would be doing if not studying and preparing for a career in aviation. I can never come up with anything, so I take that as a sign that this is the path for me, and I carry on. Plus, flying is just super fun!

Thankfully I'm able to write the exam whenever I feel ready, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because I'm not quite ready yet. It's a curse because the procrastinator in me thinks he has all the time in the world to study. Drat!

In any case, I do want to write this exam by the end of July. Once done, I'll be able to focus my attention completely on the Flight Test. Hurrah! Until then, it's back to multiple-choice tests and abundant amounts of caffeine.

Mickey vs. The Airplane

Looking back, that poor mouse never had a chance.


It was March of 1993 and I was seven years old. In a few short hours I would be in Disney World with the family, having the time of my life. With bags packed and guide books in tow, my family and I headed off for the most magical place a seven year old can imagine.


The airport!


Yes, that’s right. The journey to Florida also happened to be my first time on a major trip, and hence, my first experience with The Airplane. Up until that point, my knowledge of aircraft had mainly consisted of the toy variety. Trains, trucks, and cars gathered dust in forgotten corners while I zoomed and swooshed around the house and yard, making airplane noises and having way too much fun. But this time it was different. Here was a real airplane.


I didn’t know how to react or what to do. So, I did nothing. Instead, I clammed up, sat down and looked around in wonder at the beauty and size of it all. During the cruise portion of the flight, a stewardess came to my seat and asked if I would like to see the flight deck. WOULD I? Yes-please-and-thank-you! She escorted me up the aisle, past the first class seats and knocked gently on the closed door. Bright sunlight spilled through as it was opened, and I was invited to step inside.


I stood there with a huge smile on my face and looked around at the large number of dials, gadgets and lights in front of me. The view out of the front windows caught my eye, and I stood on my toes in order to see it. Unbelievable! My next thought was to look at the two men dressed in white shirts and black pants who were able to fly this thing, day after day. Yup, I thought, this is not bad at all. I could get used to this.


The rest of the flight seemed incredibly short and before I knew it, we had arrived. My mother had to practically drag me off the airplane. My last thought as I left the plane was that if I could just get through the next six days, I could see it all again. I ended up having a great time at Disney World as well, but I never forgot that first flight. Sorry Mickey.

In The Beginning...

I don't know a great deal about Jacqueline Auriol. I came across her name a few years ago while reading about some of the men and women responsible for the many "firsts" in aviation. Turns out she was one of the first female test pilots, set at least five world speed records, and was one of the first people to fly the Concorde. WOW, I thought. And all that after taking up flying at the age of 30. Remarkable!

I later stumbled upon her auto-biography, 'I Live to Fly', and found the above quotation, part of which forms the title for this blog. I have to agree that there is a "little touch of madness" inside most pilots, some indefinable quality that pushes one to experience life in a way few others are able to imagine. This is not to say that this 'touch' is exclusive to the pilot and I can think of plenty of other occupations or pastimes which would qualify for inclusion in the Madness Club. Matadors, window washers, crab fishermen, racecar drivers, and those brave souls who participate in the winter sport of skeleton are just a few who choose to live sizeable chucks of their existence in ways that others would find less than appealing. And yes, I'm quite happy to be able to count myself a member of this group.

For the past three years I have been working towards a single goal - a career in the aviation industry. It started, as it must, with the Private Pilot License, continued on to the Commercial Pilot License and now after many long nights of study and toil, I'm on my way to becoming a Flight Instructor. Yipeee! A written exam, a practical flight test, and a successful interview are all that stand in my way. The ultimate goal is a left seat on a major airline, and while I realize that a few rungs of the proverbial career ladder will need to be climbed, I like a good challenge and look forward to the journey.

 

I have no intention of stating exactly what this blog will be comprised of. In all likelihood it will include thoughts on the job of a flight instructor, the Canadian aviation industry, and all sorts of other pilot related goodies. Occcasional rants will also be included. My hope is that these pages provide an inside look into the career of a professional pilot. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm just about ready. Here we go....