#32 Private Pilot "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT"?

Mar 21, 2019

Private Pilot "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT"?

Believe in yourself! Make your dreams come true! Inspiring story from a ground school member! 

Kenny, Question. I have completed almost 100 of your 163 private pilot videos and completed reading the Helicopter flying handbook. I have read about 1/3 of the POH for an R22 and will start on your training videos for R22's in the next few days.

What is your advice as to timing to start actual flight training. I want to be as prepared as possible when I arrive to school. Should I be through all the material first?

Thanks for the videos and per my last e-mail inspiration. Kenny (and team), I worked for a helicopter ag spraying operation mixing chemical and loading the helicopter in the mid 70's. I was 17 when I started.

#coffeewithkenny

 

The pilot was a veteran from the Vietnam war and when the wind was too strong for spraying he would take me up and let me fly dual control. I was hooked.

Unfortunately my career took me a different direction and thought I would never be able fulfill my dream of flying helicopters. My wife understood my passion and has sacrificed over the years to allow us to build a cash reserve that I could begin flying lessons if that was truly my passion (driving old cars far past their prime and settling for homes less than what we could really afford all while tolerating 12 transfers during my career).

#32 Private Pilot "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT"?

Although her first husband died suddenly when she was only 26 and had children 2 and half and 6 months old, she has incredibly supportive of my desire to fly (we married when the kids where 5 1/2 and 7 1/2. The only thing she asked of me was to fully commit to be the best I could be (and be better than most), in other words, GO ALL IN!

I met with the local flight school 30 days ago after researching a number of schools in the NW. I spoke with an old friend that was a F4 pilot and he hooked me up with a few of his friends that knew the school I was thinking of attending and got their support (unfortunately your school is about 2,000 miles away from where I live)!

If you do the numbers, you have figured out I am an old dog. I just turned 61 (although in good shape) and really initially thought my age would be a problem. My desire is not to only get my private license, but to get instrument rated and get my commercial license.

I have some dreams beyond that but one step at a time. After meeting with the school, I decided to purchase a number of ground school preparation materials to see if the old dog could still learn. In turn I ran across your online ground school and a few of your youtube videos.

The inspiration to GO ALL IN came when I saw your video about age....thank you Kenny. I subsequently subscribed to your training, watch any u-tube videos that come up, and am currently spending between 6 and 8 hours a day (a combination between reading, your online training, and tying the two together). Further inspiration came when you discussed the best prepared student you had in your 16 years.

I have purchased many of the materials shown including your Helicopter Check-Ride book. And stealing another saying from you and your team, "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT"?

Thanks for the inspiration and the continued positive comments when things start to get a little overwhelming. I plan to start "official training" in the nest 30 days. I want them to understand how committed I really am and not just an old dog that is there to make their life miserable.

I truly hope to be able to "show up on your board" as a successful licensed helicopter pilot. Thanks again Kenny and team. I hope to be able to meet you one day when passing through to see my sister back east. I would love to see your operation and be one of those to proudly wear one of your shirts and drink coffee out of your mug!

Private Pilot "HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT"?