So Long

I called my CFI last week and let him know I am bagging it at this point. I succeeded in soloing (and that's a huge deal for me). However, I have spent more getting to this point than I planned on spending for the whole adventure. Based on my performance thus far, I think it would take near that much to complete my training and get my license. Also, although I had a great time, I don't think I would be a good pilot without a lot of post-license flying to keep sharp.

My expectations when I started were a bit off. I thought that I would be able to get my license in average time or a bit above. My CFI told me at the outset that it would be the most challenging thing I had done as an adult. He was right. Part of it is age. Older guys take longer to pick up the physical aspects of flying. It's a lot of hand-eye coordination in certain phases of flight. One must attend to a large number of factors, also (for example, air speed, altitude, attitude, course etc.). All of that is harder for older guys. The academics were no problem, surprisingly. Young guys just do it. No sweat. No worries. I tended to analyze, overthink, and not be as fluid as I needed to be.

Anyway. I did solo and I feel great about it. I learned a lot about myself through the process and that amazed me. At my age I thought I understood me. I am harder on myself than I thought I was. After the solo, my CFI told me that he was very proud of how I hung in there for all that time when I was having a tough time with landings. He said I showed up every time ready to give it another go.. and that that was amazing to him. He was genuinely pleased for me.

So, my shirt tail is hangin on my wall for now and I am done. Thanks for reading all this time.