day dreaming to reality

  When I was a 6th grader, I had a friend/classmate who introduced me about model airplanes.  I started to read about World War II’s aerial fight over Europe and Pacific Ocean, such as Midway.  One Satursday afternoon, I was playing at my classmate house, we accidently found a binder of manual.  According to what he said, that is his uncle’s book.  It was for 747-200 flight engineer.  What a coincidence, his uncle walked into the room.  I asked few questions about flying, but I could not really register in my mind.

  At that time in my country, pilots must had 20/20 vision and in their best physical shapes.  Therefore, most commercial airline pilots are retiring air force pilots.  General aviation in my country was non-existence.  Not too long afterward, a dream of flying an airplane was crushed under daily academic pressures…etc.  However, I still caught myself look skyward in search of airplane once awhile.  

  Turn the clock few years forward, I was given a chance to pursue a college degree in U.S. of A.  I was thrilled.  My parents carefully pack my luggages and drove me to airport.  I was sad to say goodbye to my family, but excited to take a flight to the country I have never been before.  I was nervous about the flight.  This was my first ever flight as I know(that is another story).  12 hours later, I step onto the soil of United States.  

  It was an interesting experience.  First time, I had to deal with time difference.  According to clock at LAX, it only took 2 hours to cross Pacific Ocean.  But I know I sat on that 747 for about 12 hours.  It was a weird feeling.  I laid over at LAX for about 10 hours.  Thanks to my friends in LA, they bailed me out of terminal for dinner.  At 11 PM, I boarded L1011 on Delta and flew to ATL.  I sat in the ATL terminal for 4 hours and watch airport operations.  Before I board a EMB120 on ASA, I wrote down some questions, such as “why there are a lot of blue lights?”  For that particular flight I was amazed by pilots.  I asked them with my poor English “how do you see the airport when there is fog?”  They laughed.  Afterward, it was time to focus on my college degree and prepared myself for a serious culture shock.  Flying an airplane was a dream in the bottom of barrel that I never thought it is possibe.

  Few years passed by, I got my degree and working toward to find a graduate school.  I applied to Western Michigan University for graduate assitant position and accepted.  There was another cultural shock.  During the summer semester, I accidently found something to do for 4th of July - an airshow.  It featured performances of USAF Thunderbirds and Canadian Snowbirds.  At airshow, there were quite few ground displays.  Among those military aircrafts, there were some FBOs also.  I asked some basic questions about flying an airplane.  But, it would be a couple years before I actually step into a cockpit and fly. 

To Be Continue…       

July 13, 2007

  Since this is flyblog.com,  I guess I will introduce my background a little.  My name is Jeff.  I came from a country on otherside of Pacific Ocean.  I have been to this wonderful country for about 15 years now.  After surviving about a little over a year of instructing, I start to reflect how I start this career drive.

  I was introduce to sort of flying environment at very young age.  My father was aircraft mechainc for little airline back in 60s.  As far as I know, this particular airline is best known as Air America.  According to what he said, his job also including to fix those F-4s which flew back from Vietnam.  However, my father decides to switch to the office job in different field.  Due to this job requirement, he started to his air travel.

  I remember it was 2nd grade that I was waiting my dad come back from business trip.  I still have vivid memory about what kind of toys he brought back from Japan.  It was late.  I was awoke by my parents.  They couldn’t wait to show me and my brothers new toys.  Due to my father’s excellent negotiation skills, my father was sent to different part of world few times.  However, this time was different.  My brothers and I had chance to go to airport.  747 was the first commercial airliners I have ever seen with my own eyes.  I even drew the picture of 747and airport stuffs for my elementary school art class.  

  At 4th grade, I was always looking forward to see the military jets fly over my school for a month.  They are practicing for national birthday, like 4th of July in the USA.  These aircraft always fly over at exact time of day, around 10AM.  I was amazed by these amazing machines.  Around that time, my father, brothers, and I went to airshow for that particular day.   It was always a fun experience. 

To be continue…

July 12, 2007

  Well, I just heard from TSA that my training request has been approved.  Now, I can’t wait to strat my training.  It will be an exciting experience.  Stay tuned.