What does flying do for you?

[RyanB]

Something I've loved for as long as I can remember. I get the same thrill today as I did the first time I took a ride at an airport open house many years ago. I consider it my therapy and as Cajun mentioned, it allows me to leave my stresses on the ground and go have fun. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing better than it.

 

[rtk11]

Nothing is more erotic than turning onto the runway, lining it up with the centerline, going full throttle and lifting into the air.

Funny, I kind of thought the same thing recently when I had to go and give blood and they asked me to pee into a cup. Luckily as I lifted up in the air, I didn't misfire.

Despite the temptation to, I fear making a career out of it. Flying is something magical and precious to me - I don't want that magic to ever fade. Seems like the joy of other things always wanes with time - I hope that never happens to me with flying.

This. Definitely this. I used to love to drive and I even worked at a racing school to teach and get more track time. But now that I'm quickly approaching my 50's and had a long working career with long commutes, I just don't have any desire to spend any more time in a car than I have to. My muscle car goes to my son when he's of age as I have neither the time, energy, nor passion to finish the rebuild of the car.

But Cajun nailed it with what flying does. I'll add that I love being able to look down and, while empathizing with the poor souls stuck on the freeways in Southern California, be glad that I'm well above them.

 

[Dana]

My wife says no matter what is going on in life, every time I come back from a flight, any flight, I am always in a better state of mind; she really notices the change.

I learned to fly when I was 16, but like many pilots I didn't fly for 20 years or so while my kids were young and I couldn't afford it. When I started again, my wife noticed the favorable change in my stress level.

There's quite a bit of difference between flying for your bread and butter, and flying for just yourself.

When I was learning to fly, I had a conversation once with an airline pilot who said, "I can see how much you love flying. Do yourself a favor, and don't ever do it for a living." That just reinforced what Richard Bach said in his article Paradise is a Personal Thing.

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

When I was learning to fly, I had a conversation once with an airline pilot who said, "I can see how much you love flying. Do yourself a favor, and don't ever do it for a living." That just reinforced what Richard Bach said in his article Paradise is a Personal Thing.

There is something to be said for separating vocation and avocation.

I remember the take-off roll a little more than a year ago with my instructor at Chino. It was the first flight of my BFR to get current, after not having flown for seven years. As we started our climb-out I turned to the CFI and said, "Gawd, it's great to be in the air again." Love that transition from awkward ground vehicle to flying machine.

 

[James331]

I was going to type a whole thing, but flying lets me do better by my fellow man, get enough money to pay the man, and make me feel like the man

 

[James_Dean]

It lets me tell United, Delta, American, et al to go fornicate themselves with a pointy stick.

 

[FloridaPilot]

Flying to me is everything that is great in this world. The best therapy you could ask for. Flying is one of the greatest examples of what makes our country the best in the world. We can build an aircraft in our garage and go fly it with very little questions asked.

I have my build at the college where I work, I took over the unused classroom next to my office and the back room behind the classroom for my workshop. When I get a break from teaching I can work on the plane. The one added bonus is that I can always just walk by it and look through the window, gives me a nice boost and a renewed sense of everything that is right in my world.

I can't wait to see the finished product, make sure you post some here for all of us to see!

Probably nearing the end of my flying days, I've lost a lot of enthusiasm for flying like i used to have. I actually enjoy encouraging newbies in their pursuit of flying more than actual flying. Offering a little advice and encouragement. I do enjoy taking my 6 year old grandson up and watch the amazement and joy he gets from it though. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to teach him to fly. Instructed my son for his PPC and we fly together once in awhile too. Says his 1 year old looks up when a plane flys over. I still do too, especially when a Yak or even a T6 flys over, usually one of the Team Aeroshell T6s, who are based here in BHM I think. But I had a long career flying, went further than I ever expected (airlines), and even when I was learning to fly at the aero club at Osan Air Base in Korea it made me want to change jobs in the Air Force, and I went into ATC. Met a lot of wonderful, knowledgeable, and definitely crazy people thru flying. I don't know if there's anything else like it.

Exactly! why did you lose your enthusiasm for flying? Is it because you made a profession out of it? I'm just starting my flying journey and I love it. When the personal computer switched over to Microsoft I loved it too. I figured I would make a career out of it and I did. It zapped all of my joy out of computers, I'm not going to do the same with flying. I'm going to fly when I want to.

It frees my mind. It challenges me, excites me, and scares me. Every time I take off, all my troubles get left on the ground, and every time I land, I come back feeling stronger, happier and intensely satisfied. It's the best damn therapy in the world. And, let's be honest, it's sexy as hell. Nothing is more erotic than turning onto the runway, lining it up with the center line, going full throttle and lifting into the air.

Despite the temptation to, I fear making a career out of it. Flying is something magical and precious to me - I don't want that magic to ever fade. Seems like the joy of other things always wanes with time - I hope that never happens to me with flying.

I totally agree about making a career out of it. People say that fear is bad when flying? I don't think so. In my situation it makes me sharp and I cover everything. If I didn't have the fear complacency would probably kick in and I would be tempted to cut corners.

At my stage (student, with around ten hours) it's the right kind of stress.

But it's lots more. My father flew and I used to go up with him in his Cessna 172 as a kid. He could fly! I never felt nervous with him, i was a kid and dad can do everything.

I last flew with him as an adult, around 1990-something, and loved it...felt good to go up again with him.
He has passed (2008) and I had always wanted to learn to fly, but lived far from my dad, never had enough money to pay for lessons. Eventually forgot about that dream. Then at 59 realized I did have the means if I wanted to do it. Kick myself for not realizing it earlier, but I started.

First flight with my CFI taking off, as soon as we were up in the air on climb out I was grinning from ear to ear and happy as I've been for a long time. I did pretty good also at basic level flight, some banks, etc.

There is just something so RIGHT about it, at the same time as it feels like we are doing something we really aren't supposed to be able to do, lacking actual wings on our bodies...yet we can do it. The sight from up in a plane never ceases to make me smile and feel wonderful. Even on a jet liner, I wonder about all those people ignoring that incredible view (if they were on a mountain looking down they'd all be oh'ing and ah'ing...but on a passenger plane just go right to to their iPads, totally ignoring all that out there, and when else do you get above clouds?? How cool is that?) but in a small plane it's somehow even more there.

Now it's stress, I think my current CFI wants to throw lots at me to keep me able to handle stress with a lot of maneuvers, but I notice when my hand is tight on the stick or yoke, and remember even though I'm up there to learn to be a pilot, if HAVE to get some "alone" look-at-that time, and that enjoyment. Less of it right now because of training.

I really don't know, but I don't need to know, why...just it feels so right, and so wrong at the same time. And the views. And being able to learn how to actually pilot, and navigate in a small plane...I don't know why everyone that could afford it isn't doing it.

From what you wrote, it looks like your dad fired up something that was already there inside you. In my situation I didn't have a dad who was a pilot, I actually didn't know anyone who was a pilot but I always wanted to fly when I was a kid, I loved War Birds and thought about how cool they were. I pretty much love ALL types of airplanes and I can wait to fly em all. I love to explore and I love adventure and flying brings that out of me. IF only I could've picked a cheaper hobby...like knitting..but unfortunately not my style.

I'm learning how to fly as well and building hours if you would like we can hold each other accountable. Lets get this done! It's not easy but very possible!

Something I've loved for as long as I can remember. I get the same thrill today as I did the first time I took a ride at an airport open house many years ago. I consider it my therapy and as Cajun mentioned, it allows me to leave my stresses on the ground and go have fun. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing better than it.

I'm here in Florida and I wish I knew when/where they have airport open houses I would go!

 

[RyanB]

@FloridaPilot, they used to have them every October at one of my local airports. Airplane rides, food, music etc. it was great! They used to do helicopter rides many years ago, but unfortunately it's slowly been dying down and now they're nowhere near how they used to be.

 

[FloridaPilot]

@FloridaPilot, they used to have them every October at one of my local airports. Airplane rides, food, music etc. it was great! They used to do helicopter rides many years ago, but unfortunately it's slowly been dying down and now they're nowhere near how they used to be.

Used to have them in October? Do they not have them anymore?

 

[Glenn D]

Yesterday I drove for 7 hours to take some things to the Grandkids.. and today drove back home.... All the time looking up and wishing I did not have a trailer behind the truck, as flying up would have been GREAT!... Can not fit a Piano in the back of the Cherokee. Driving is good but flying 2 1/2 to 3 hours to see them is much better... less traffic and no bonehead drivers to deal with... That's what flying is for me.. a time machine, an escape from those around on the road that are just in the way..... now is 3 weeks when it is time to go again, the weather better be good still!..

 

[Acrodustertoo]

Yesterday I drove for 7 hours to take some things to the Grandkids.. and today drove back home.... All the time looking up and wishing I did not have a trailer behind the truck, as flying up would have been GREAT!... Can not fit a Piano in the back of the Cherokee. Driving is good but flying 2 1/2 to 3 hours to see them is much better... less traffic and no bonehead drivers to deal with... That's what flying is for me.. a time machine, an escape from those around on the road that are just in the way..... now is 3 weeks when it is time to go again, the weather better be good still!..

You cannot fit a WHOLE piano but you can fit a bunch of pieces and make as many trips as you like.

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

You cannot fit a WHOLE piano but you can fit a bunch of pieces and make as many trips as you like.

Worked for Johnny Cash and the Cadillac!

 

[SkyDog58]

Other people's flying puts money in my pocket. My flying takes money out of my pocket. I enjoy both.

 

[MetalCloud]

It calms me. It frees my mind and lets me escape the bullstuff of daily life. It's procedural but ALWAYS different. I love and need that. It's an endless source of learning. And the learning process increases my joy and safety, both on the ground and in the air.

 

[ScottK]

My wife says no matter what is going on in life, every time I come back from a flight, any flight, I am always in a better state of mind; she really notices the change.

I get the same thing. I flew back to back days this weekend for the first time in awhile. I definitely get a boost from being in the air.[/QUOTE]

 

[iamtheari]

Antoine de Saint Exupery probably had the best description of what I feel every time I temporarily leave my normal earthbound state:

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things"

My wife says no matter what is going on in life, every time I come back from a flight, any flight, I am always in a better state of mind; she really notices the change.

That sounds exactly right for me, covering 90% of what I get out of flying. The other 10% is this: I often have one-hour court appearances away from home. If I travel by car, I have to miss supper, breakfast, lunch, and often a second supper with my family. Flying means that I can wake up in my own bed, have breakfast with my family, go to the hearing, and be home in time for lunch.