The last blog post has been
dedicated to some thoughts about summer which for me has been great so far.
However, I did mention briefly one of my main activities during this break and
that was attending a flight school. As a result I decided to talk a bit more
about this subject and share some of my thoughts and experiences in this school.
A big square room surrounded by the
voice of the instructor. Bright sunlight falling through the window right on
top of a book wide open on my desk. I look left, I look right, and I can only
see three more students carefully writing their last notes given by our
instructor. This is how we spent the first two weeks of school, reading,
listening, and taking precious notes which were going to help us once in the
aircraft. There was no surprise when one day, we came to class to find a pile
of papers on our desks. These were out first tests. We pass these, and we get
to fly. We pass these tests and we are one step closer to living our dream of
flying in the wide, clear sky, just like birds.
The next week, we have been
assigned an instructor and we were sent off to the airplanes. When I got in the
plane I was overwhelmed by the number of buttons and displays which were going
to become my best friends in flight. Fortunately, right next to the seat of the
pilot there was one little pocket containing a checklist which is to be
followed by each beginner pilot and even by experienced pilots, since
forgetting is known to be a normal human behavior applying even to the most
experienced. After the first checks are done, we are ready to ask permission to
start the engine. The key turns, and the aircraft awakens with the roar of the
engine. Few more checks and we are ready to go. After approval from the tower
has been received, we check all the indicators one more time and we start
rolling on the runway. I can now hear the engine becoming wilder as our speed
increases. 30 knots, 45 knots, 65 knots. With a gentle pull the aircraft
springs into the air. Once with the gain in altitude I feel lighter, as I leave
all the problems and worries behind. In a matter of minutes I am 1000 feet away
from them. Now I have to concentrate on flying; nothing else matters. In front
of me I can see the horizon widening; I can see birds flying in the distance, a
lonely boat slowly fighting its way through the sea’s waves. As I observe all
of these with amazement and joy I listen carefully and follow the instructions
of my instructor, teaching me the basics of flight along with the names of
villages in the area. But, as I learned, time flies when you fly, and it is
time to come back for landing. Yet, I am not unhappy as I will be back tomorrow
for another flying lesson, but for now, I have to go back to the classroom and
continue my studying.
