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Heading to Florida

Dave

Dave

New member
Reading, PA
Aircraft Year
1975
Aircraft Type
112/A
Reg Number
N1247J
Serial Number
247
I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag.

I have decided to turn in my keys at the car dealership and am going to try to pursue a career in aviation. No point trying to talk me out of it, yesterday was my last day at work.

I'm heading down to Panama City Florida to attend flight training at ATP's Flight school. I should get to Florida sometime tomorrow, or Sunday morning May 3rd. Kathy is flying down for the first week so we can spend a little time away from work, from there I begin my classes on May 11th, and should be there until about mid-August.

When I return I should be Multi, Inst, Commercial, with CFI, CFII, and Multi CFI, I will still need to add high performance, so if anyone has the time when I get back, I might as well get the endorsement in a Commander.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Fly-In this year. On that note the graphic on the home page is fantastic, whoever did the work did a really nice job.

See you all soon!
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Congrats Dave,
I will be in Winter Haven area all next week. Quite close to you I think. Maybe we can grab a burger. I also know a few guys local there that went to ATP.
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Way to go Dave. My Dad sold everything and he and my Mom went back to college full time when they were 40 and 36 (with 4 kids) becaue they wanted to teach. I remember it well -- it takes genuine guts and commitment to do what you are doing. there are so many people who hate their jobs that is hard to listen to them. Glad you are going for it.
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Go luck Dave. Quite a serious change you are going through. I'm sure a lot of thought went into it. I wish you all the best! I'm pretty sure you will be one of the only guys to show up for class in his own Commander!
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Go Dave GO - live to your commitment & drive money is a tool to enable not the reverse.

Good Luck
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Very Cool Dave:

I am also not that far away at XFL Flager County. Give a scream if you need anything. Maybe we can get together before you go back

Jeff
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Good luck Dave! I will be in Lancaster next week at the prop shop. Next time I am there you can sign-off my Bi-Annual!!
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Dave,

I am even closer in South Georgia. If you want to get away for a weekend give me a call.

Cell 229 894-5808. Have many empty beds and you can help me clean the house.

I am at ABY,

Might just join you to do my ME, have talked to them about it.
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and sentiments. It's 2:00 AM in Panama City as I sit outside of a Sheltair facility. I'm waiting to pick Kathy up at 9:45 AM and thought I could just crash in the pilots lounge. Who would have thought they closed...

I did consider flying, but they wanted me to have a car while I was here. Thought of flying anyway and buying some POS to hold me over for 3 months, but with an annual coming due I decided it was best to drive down.

Boy does driving a long distance really SUCK after plane ownership....

So, I'm here and looking forward to beginning my training.

Ken - Come on down, would be good to see you.

Elliot, Jeff, and Dave - If either of you are out and about let me know. My cell phone is 484-332-0442.

Kathy and I will be here until the 10th in a hotel somewhere (haven't looked yet) after that they have me in some housing. I haven't seen it yet, but the pictures looked promising.

Hell, who cares about the lodging. Give me the plane and a pillow, I'll be fine :)
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Dave,

Good luck guy, sounds like a blast! Enjoy the experience.

Best to Kathy.

Bill
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Hi Dave,

Congrats on your decision. If you have any questions about persuing your career or just want to talk about your adventures, give me a shout.

John
 
Re: Heading to Florida

I planned on it John. I'll be in touch soon.
 
Re: Heading to Florida

So? You no longer visit with us? Too busy being a professional?
 
Re: Heading to Florida

aaaprod said:
So? You no longer visit with us? Too busy being a professional?
Click to expand...

Not at all. I can visit again.

On vacation with Kathy before heading to school. I arrived at my new apartment (next 90 days) this morning and now I'm catching up with all my Commander stuff :)

It's bad enough for Kathy that I'll be gone as long as I am, and when I return I'll be job hunting and spending as much time at the airport as I can (not to mention doing our annual - owner assisted) So while we were on vacation I would have been SHOT had she found me on the web board, or doing aviation stuff.

LOL - It was bad enough that I was studying for my written while we were there :)
 
Re: Heading to Florida

good to hear from you - good luck with the speed course and of course when you're finished the economy will be recovering and they'll snap you up for a charter job flying twins!
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Well good news so far from Florida. I passed my Instrument written this morning and will be taking the Instructor Instrument tomorrow (shouldn't be a big deal, as they are the same test)

Things haven't exactly been going as planned (more students than instructors) so I decided to take some of my training into my own hands and spent my idle time working on my test. I probably wouldn't have been scheduled to take my written for about 2 weeks or so.

One less thing the way I see it.

Did some simulator time today, working on private-multi maneuvers, and engine out procedures. First flight is scheduled for tomorrow.

I'll keep you all posted.
 
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Re: Heading to Florida

Congratulations Dave I wish you well.
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Thanks Lonnie

Kathy and I are both looking forward to seeing you both again at the fly-in this year. You definitely need to bring the misses, she's a hoot (can you tell I'm in the South now)
 
Re: Heading to Florida

Finally got a break in the weather down here in Florida.

I'm happy to report I was able to get my MEL checkride in today, and am now a Multi-Engine pilot. :D

Next I move right into to Instrument (multi) and then on to Commercial ratings. I will keep you all posted as I go.
 
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