December 2007 is a time to remember. As an early Christmas present Peggy sent me to Florida so I could could finish my pilot's license. It was an incredible adventure; 35 flights in 7 days. My instructor, Jan Driessen, was by far the best instructor for me. He gave me confidence and helped me to look beyond my self-imposed limitations. I also have to give credit to Knut Kjenslie (the owner of Seminole-Lake Gliderport and my flight examiner) and Jim Gager (another instructor) for giving me an experience that I will never forget. I also have to give credit to Wiley, the tow pilot. He always knew where to take me to find a thermal. Watching Wiley land the tow plane was also a treat. More often that not he would slip to a landing and made it look all so easy.
Knut shook my hand after and congratulated me after my check ride. I was excited to be done but the reality of the moment didn't sink in. I told my instructor, Jan, that I had passed. He wasn't content with a handshake but gave me a big hug and said, "I knew you could do it!" The next day I was on my way to the Orlando airport when it struck me, "I'm a pilot...I really am a pilot!" More than once on the flight home I pulled out my logbook and looked at my new license just to make sure it was real and that Knut didn't use some magic disappearing ink.
The last 6 weeks have dragged by as I wait for winter to end... HA! It has just barely started. The warm Florida weather spoiled me and I long to pull my plane out of its trailer to take her on the maiden flight with me as her pilot.
Knut shook my hand after and congratulated me after my check ride. I was excited to be done but the reality of the moment didn't sink in. I told my instructor, Jan, that I had passed. He wasn't content with a handshake but gave me a big hug and said, "I knew you could do it!" The next day I was on my way to the Orlando airport when it struck me, "I'm a pilot...I really am a pilot!" More than once on the flight home I pulled out my logbook and looked at my new license just to make sure it was real and that Knut didn't use some magic disappearing ink.
The last 6 weeks have dragged by as I wait for winter to end... HA! It has just barely started. The warm Florida weather spoiled me and I long to pull my plane out of its trailer to take her on the maiden flight with me as her pilot.
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