“Dad, when am I going to learn to get my Private license?” “Honey, you’ve got plenty of time for that. Why don’t you just have fun, practicing your landings and take-offs, simulate flying in IFR weather, and....,” “But Dad,” interrupted Angela, “it’s no fun flying by myself.” “All right Angie, you know that I’ll be going out of town on business tomorrow, and I’ll be back next week. In the mean time, I’ll speak to Tom (Certified Flight Instructor) to give you a few pointers and some material to prepare yourself for the written examination, and have him tell you what you have to do and how to go about doing it, and you know that I cannot certify or train you as a private pilot. In the meantime, read all you can about it. Know what is required, both for your flight test and written test, okay?” “Yes Dad, that’s great. It’ll give me something to do until you come back.” “There’s always something for you to do. Do your homework, study, listen to your Mother, do what she says, there’s always some chores to do around the house.” Yes dad.”

Angela hadn’t been to Tom’s office for quite a while, and she felt a bit uneasy on seeing him. She knew Tom had a fine reputation as an instructor, and as a FAA examiner. Tom was kept pretty busy with all these functions and she wondered if he would have time for her. “Hello Angela,” greeted Tom with a smile, nice to see you again, and congratulations on soloing last week, that’s great.” His greeting seemed to be sincere, and she felt that he meant it when he said that it was nice seeing her again. “Hello Tom, are you busy. Can I talk to you?” “Sure Angela, come on in and sit down. Your Dad spoke to me and said that you would be in to see me.”

“He wanted me to give you some pointers, instructions, and some reading material to get you started in studying for your Private Pilots License. Is that Correct?” Yes Tom, I’d like to get started as soon as possible replied Angela.” “Your father and I spoke about this, and we didn’t understand, why you are in such a hurry.” “Well Tom, said Angela, “I guess I am in a hurry, and I don’t know why, I just am.” Tom had to smile at this. He thought, now here is an ambitious girl. She’s been flying with her Dad ever since she was a little tot, and he had tutored many a girl, who had the same dreams and ambitions as Angela. He had enough experience to realize that it was practically impossible to advise them not to be in a hurry, and to have more patience. “Angela, you know that your Dad won’t be able to train you. Sign your pilots handbook, or sanction you in your qualifying for a Private Pilots License. He can give you some instruction as he did when you were working on the student license, but it wouldn’t count for the necessary time in the air. You know that you have to acquire at least 40 hours of flight instruction, 10 hours of that will be as a solo pilot. But this has to be done by a CFI, (Certified Flight Instructor), and unfortunately as fine a pilot he is, your Dads not a CFI. He was able to certify your solo flight, but wont be able to do so as a Private Pilot license.” “Yes, I know that,” replied Angela, “he explained that all to me some time ago.

“Angela,” said Tom,” “let’s look at it this way, It wouldn’t take much time to acquire the necessary flight time to qualify you to take your flight test. Of course you can take the written and oral examination anytime you want to. In fact you can take it now. So let’s assume that you take an hourly flying lesson twice a week, that’s 8 hours of flight time a month. At this rate, you’ll have the necessary hours in 5 months, right?” “Yes” replied Angela. “Okay, then what? You will have all your flight hours in 5 months and you will still have 7 months before you will be allowed to take the flight test. Here’s what I suggest. I’ll let you have all the books and what ever is necessary for you to study for your written test, and if you want, I’ll give the test to you. I will also tell you what’s required on the flight test. You know it’s a rather difficult test. There’s a lot required. I know that your Dad has told you all about that. Suppose for the next couple of months, you practice what I recommend and don’t forget that you have to make 3 cross country flights, and suppose that you see me in about 3 months, and then we will talk about starting your training for your Private Pilots license. Don’t forget, when you get the license, you will be able to carry passengers, and that’s a lot of responsibility. You have to be sure of yourself, and know exactly what you’re doing. So, how do you feel about that, are you willing to do as I suggest?” Angela was flabbergasted at all of this. She didn’t expect that Tom would take the time to give her all this information. I bet, she thought, that my Dad and he had a long talk about me.

“Gee, Tom, I don’t know what to say. I guess it wouldn’t make much difference if I waited a few months, but I’m so anxious to take my friends up for a ride. I guess that’s why I’m in so much of a hurry.” Yes,” said Tom, I know that, just think with all the practice you’ll be getting, making cross country trips, seeing different places, and many other interesting things, you’ll be getting a lot of experience, and be prepared for the training and the test.”

Angela left Toms office feeling a lot better. He had given her some pretty good advise, and she was willing to abide by that.

Tom sat in his chair thinking of the conversation he had with Angela and thought of all the people he had trained, she was the most ambitious. He never knew of anyone that lived and dreamed about flying the way she did. His intuition told him that after she got her Private Pilots license that it wouldn’t be enough. She wouldn’t stop there. She would want to go on further, and further, and no telling where it would stop.

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