Page 28 - Dear aviator...

** The quote used for this paragraph is the unofficial motto for the United States
101st Airborne Division following its formation in 1941. Each trooper was supposed
to function as an individual knowing that they could count on their fellow troopers
to support them.

The importance of support of family and friends

I mentioned elsewhere that committing to the training as a pilot, especially if you
are going full bore and training for a Commercial Pilot’s Licence, is life changing.
For someone in my position, a 40 year old low to medium wage earner, aviation as
a hobby is and will be unaffordable, so a CPL with the plan of making aviation into
a new career is the only option. There is no way I could have done this without the
support of my partner. She was the one who saw how miserable I was becoming at
my established job and prompted me, against my judgment, to go for the part-time
course after the trial flight. She was the one that had to deal with my absence
during the day for work and at night for classes; she sacrificed her own weekends
in order to allow me to go flying.
She listened to me when I was insecure and was my constant support showing
unshakable faith that I would see it through to the end. She was the first to put her
life in my newly acquired skills when she became my first passenger (and promptly
fell asleep during the flight). She is the one who patiently listens to me ramble on
about planes and aviation; she accompanies me to museums and airshows and is
my guinea pig when I try to explain aviation stuff. Today, she is the one who is
supporting me as I undertake further training. I dare say that this whole endeavour
is dedicated to her.
Just as important has been the support of my parents who have fostered this
passion of mine in every way they could and today I know that they are proud of
me for what I am achieving.
A close second place goes to those friends - honestly more than I deserve - who
have followed this adventure, showing interest and curiosity and who have been -
and are going to be - my passengers in the very near future.
Besides the positive attitudes you may also get the occasional naysayer, those who
show disdain for your accomplishment and who underestimate the effort and the
sacrifice… One of the reasons I’m doing this is explicitly to prove them wrong.
It is undeniable that a healthy social group is important. All the intense studying
and the flying may lead you to finding yourself removed from day-to-day life.
Friends and family are there to provide a social scaffolding to your journey;
sometimes they are there to bring your feet back to the ground (pun intended) and
remind you that you are still operating in a real world with real people; remember
to acknowledge this and to be thankful as your sacrifices have an effect on them as
well.

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