Lots of Good News!

Hello fellow pilots and music enthusiasts!

I couldn’t be happier to share with you all that I am officially a commercially licensed pilot! In late April, I passed my commercial check ride after weeks of bad weather delaying the flying portion. I had actually done the oral portion in late March, but couldn’t finish the check ride due to high winds. Up until I finished the ride, I battled low ceilings and high winds. Finally, a day of clear skies and calm winds came and after nailing all my maneuvers and landings, I was rewarded with a commercial license. The moment my examiner closed the door of the FBO to leave, I completely lost it and was freaking out that I had finally finished. I had been working on my commercial since last June and a weight was lifted off of my shoulders when I was handed my temporary certificate. My first flight as a commercial pilot was nothing different than the countless training flights I had done before, but it put a whole new perspective on flying. I can’t thank those of you a part of FMA, my parents, and all my flight instructors enough for getting me to where I am today. The continued support means more than any of you would ever know!

Fast forward to Monday, I began my CFI training. I spent two hours with my new instructor going over how to teach different lessons and a bunch of information that I didn’t know. As I’m always told, a good pilot is always learning and this was very true on Monday. After being grilled about aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and regulations, I came home to find a package from our fearless leader, Mr. Zapp! I opened it up and immediately found the copy of AviNation I was featured in (still doesn’t feel real) and a maintenance handbook that I’ve already begun reading amongst other awesome items. A huge smile was already on my face seeing all the stuff in the box, then I dug a little deeper. I saw a large white box at the bottom and wondered what it could be. Then I saw the classic “Bose” logo on the side. You can ask my roommate, I was screaming “NO WAY, NO WAY” at the top of my lungs while simultaneously yelling other words I cannot include. The best way to describe me opening the box is the scene from “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the lost ark” when he finds the golden idol and the gold from it is reflecting off of his face. I could not believe it was real. Attached to this post is a picture of the first flight with the A20s, I had to go test them out (and it gave me a good reason to get out and fly!). The noise-canceling is so good on these that I had to take one ear off when I leaned out the mixture in cruise as the plane I was flying didn’t have a lean assist. I am so thankful for everyone in FMA who continues to show support for me and the rest of the recipients. This community has given me so much more than I ever thought and I will cherish all of this forever.

P.S. For all the guitar players here: can anyone name the model of my amp in the picture?