One milestone reached, another in my sights....

HIGH FLIGHT

by Pilot Officer John G. Magee Jr.

OH! I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURLY BONDS OF EARTH

AND DANCED THE SKIES ON LAUGHTER-SILVERED

WINGS

SUNWARD I'VE CLIMBED, AND JOINED THE TUMBLING MIRTH

OF SUN-SPLIT CLOUDS __ AND DONE A HUNDRED THINGS

YOU HAVE NOT DREAMED OF __ WHEELED AND

SOARED AND SWUNG

HIGH IN THE SUNLIT SILENCE, HOV'RING THERE

I'VE CHASED THE SHOUTING WIND ALONG.

AND FLUNG

MY EAGER CRAFT THROUGH FOOTLESS HALLS OF AIR.

UP, UP ALONG THE LONG, DELIRIOUS BURNING BLUE

I'VE TOPPED THE WIND SWEPT HEIGHTS WITH

EASY GRACE

WHERE NEVER LARK, OR EVEN EAGLE FLEW

AND, WHILE WITH SILENT LIFTING MIND I'VE TROD

THE HIGH UNTRESPASSED SANCTITY OF SPACE

PUT OUT MY HAND AND TOUCHED THE FACE OF

GOD

I have this poem framed and hanging above my desk in my office. It was given to me by my father (who is also a pilot) and was given to him by his father (who is also a pilot). This framed piece of inspiration has been fairly, well... inspirational for me. Since I was young, reading this poem has instilled a sense of adventure and danger that a young boy longs for (some of us older boys too). I can remember being about 10 or so, reading this, not understanding some of the words, but knowing that I HAD to fly, and "touch the face of God". And so I have, and like a drug, I look forward to nothing more than being at home "HIGH IN THE SUNLIT SILENCE".

On Friday I reached a personally significant milestone. I received my wings. I proudly wear them on the chest of my flight suit and for now, carry my head a little higher and breathe a little deeper. Myself and my cohorts have joined an exclusive group of people who know what it feels like to take those mechanical wings aloft, safely, relying on your own knowledge and ability to defeat the earths never ending attempt to reclaim you. If you're reading this, and you have never flown an aircraft, I wont even try to describe it because I simply can not. It is however, incredible.

Several months ago, when I initially sat down with my flight instructor, he asked me what kind of pace I wanted to take this at. I told him that I wanted to do it as quickly as he felt I safely could. Not telling him, but knowing in my heart and mind that I wanted to be the first out of my class to solo.

Now, when I say that I wanted to be first, please understand that it was not purely because I wanted to be before my peers (ok, maybe a little) but I knew that I wanted to push myself and my ability, and set myself apart even if it was just but a day or so. A lot of it came down to aircraft scheduling and instructor availability, but I am proud to say that I was the first in my class to solo a helicopter. And yes, it felt good.

That said, I have to give credit where credit is due. I was NOT however the first to take and pass a stage check ride. Those accolades belong to my friend and study group partner, Eric. (round of applause).

So the next mile stone is getting that certificate from our friends at the FAA. That should happen in about 2 and a half month after studying cross country flight planning and successfully taking and passing an FAA check ride with a DPE.

Am I setting personal goals for this next semester, like I did the last? Welp, you'll just have to wait and find out. But I'm pretty sure you can answer that one on your own.

Until we meet again Dear Friends...

Rob