My obsession with aviation first began, like many others, with Maverick’s F-14 Tomcat in the classic 1986 movie, Top Gun. I rewatched the dogfights more times than I could count, collected pilot’s signatures at the yearly airshow, and eventually realized aviation was something I needed to incorporate into my life. Prior to beginning the flight program at Rocky Mountain College, I had not flown other than a few ride alongs, and in the past I might have thought I wasn’t capable of becoming a pilot. My fascination with aviation was still present however, and this led me to join the Navy. Sitting across from the recruiter, I told him to give me whatever job would get me closest to an F-18. I ended up an Aviation Electronics Technician, and after a year of school for avionics and calibration, received orders to an aircraft carrier. For the next four years, I was able to calibrate both for every department on the ship and for the aircraft on board, run a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) work center, and spend every free minute watching F-18 operations on the flight deck. It was here I finally realized what I was meant to do, and becoming a pilot will be the culmination of years spent only dreaming of it. Since I began working on my private pilot license at Rocky Mountain College this past summer, I am confident that I am pursuing my passion. I can honestly say that each day I have been able to fly has been the best day of my life. My aviation classes do not feel like work, but an opportunity to learn as much as I can about something I love. Although I started off impatient to get my license and ratings, I have been enjoying the everyday process more than I could have ever predicted. From my first solo to my recently completed PPL checkride, each day has presented new challenges and constant excitement. I have been trying complete my training without taking out student loans, and have been able to do this so far by cashing out my retirement fund and getting help from my parents, and hope to finish paying via scholarships. As I continue at Rocky, I will strive to complete every flight and exam to the best of my ability, and am looking forward to the knowledge and skill this program will provide. Although I have not completely narrowed down my career plans following graduation, I know I will be satisfied as long as I am flying. I am currently working through instrument, and following commercial plan to pursue my CFI both to build hours and to more thoroughly learn systems and procedures. Originally, I planned on applying to an airline, and this is still my primary goal. The schedule, opportunity to travel, and constantly changing work environment are all characteristics of a my dream career. However, I have also been considering flying corporate or aerial firefighting. The opportunities in this career field are endless, and I am sure I will have difficulty narrowing it down in the future. Once I am set in a career, I am also planning to pursue additional ratings, especially seaplane or helicopter if I have the opportunity. I can hardly contain my excitement both for my future in aviation, and for every chance I have to be able to fly over the next few years. Few other experiences have provided me with such unbelievable happiness, and Charles Lindbergh said it best when he described aviation as “the closest thing to real magic that we have.”

My obsession with aviation first began, like many others, with Maverick’s F-14 Tomcat in the classic 1986 movie, Top Gun. I rewatched the dogfights more times than I could count, collected pilot’s signatures at the yearly airshow, and eventually realized aviation was something I needed to incorporate into my life. Prior to beginning the flight program at Rocky Mountain College, I had not flown other than a few ride alongs, and in the past I might have thought I wasn’t capable of becoming a pilot. My fascination with aviation was still present however, and this led me to join the Navy. Sitting across from the recruiter, I told him to give me whatever job would get me closest to an F-18. I ended up an Aviation Electronics Technician, and after a year of school for avionics and calibration, received orders to an aircraft carrier. For the next four years, I was able to calibrate both for every department on the ship and for the aircraft on board, run a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) work center, and spend every free minute watching F-18 operations on the flight deck. It was here I finally realized what I was meant to do, and becoming a pilot will be the culmination of years spent only dreaming of it. Since I began working on my private pilot license at Rocky Mountain College this past summer, I am confident that I am pursuing my passion. I can honestly say that each day I have been able to fly has been the best day of my life. My aviation classes do not feel like work, but an opportunity to learn as much as I can about something I love. Although I started off impatient to get my license and ratings, I have been enjoying the everyday process more than I could have ever predicted. From my first solo to my recently completed PPL checkride, each day has presented new challenges and constant excitement. I have been trying complete my training without taking out student loans, and have been able to do this so far by cashing out my retirement fund and getting help from my parents, and hope to finish paying via scholarships. As I continue at Rocky, I will strive to complete every flight and exam to the best of my ability, and am looking forward to the knowledge and skill this program will provide. Although I have not completely narrowed down my career plans following graduation, I know I will be satisfied as long as I am flying. I am currently working through instrument, and following commercial plan to pursue my CFI both to build hours and to more thoroughly learn systems and procedures. Originally, I planned on applying to an airline, and this is still my primary goal. The schedule, opportunity to travel, and constantly changing work environment are all characteristics of a my dream career. However, I have also been considering flying corporate or aerial firefighting. The opportunities in this career field are endless, and I am sure I will have difficulty narrowing it down in the future. Once I am set in a career, I am also planning to pursue additional ratings, especially seaplane or helicopter if I have the opportunity. I can hardly contain my excitement both for my future in aviation, and for every chance I have to be able to fly over the next few years. Few other experiences have provided me with such unbelievable happiness, and Charles Lindbergh said it best when he described aviation as “the closest thing to real magic that we have.”