Because of the pressure of the airlines to push user fees on General Aviation airplanes and pilots, I have added a link to the Alliance for Aviation Across America. I am disgusted by the misrepresentation the airlines are doing of smaller aircraft activities and their push to have NO TAXES for their fuel, while increasing 70% the fuel tax on small airplanes. This is but one of the many problems that have pushed me to take a stance in this matter. If you support General Aviation in the USA, please make a point and inform yourself on this matter. I am not asking you to take my position, but rather make an informed decision. For additional information, please visit the AOPA website, and their page on user fees.

I guess I have liked aviation my whole life. Even as a frequent-flyer with Delta Airlines I dedicated an enormous amount of time to learning as much as I could about the airliners that I flew. I have always liked to read about aviation.

In January, 2004 I finally came across the age-old question: "When and if the time comes to look back at my life, what would I regret not having done?" Usually this question comes at a time when you are too late to do anything about it. Fortunately, I was posed this question by Pat Croce, a well-known public speaker. I was also looking for an activity that would maintain me in the constant learning domain. Aviation is one of them. If you are serious about flying, then you have to be serious about constant learning and constant personal improvement.

On a personal review, I only had one thing pending, flying. So I started the training to obtain my private pilot's license at Blue Ash Aviation and Charter at the Blue Ash airport in Cincinnati..

Started training on February, 11, 2004 On May 5th, 2004 I did my first solo flight On July, 7, 2004 I did my first solo cross country flight, On September 22, 2004 I obtained my private pilot's certificate. On May 4, 2007 I passed the IFR test, which allows me to fly on instruments now. The other person in the picture is Mr. Michael Puehler, a designated FAA examiner..

There is a lot of learning to do if you want to achieve the private pilot certificate. The FAA requires a written-test, and a combined oral and practical test otherwise known as the checkride. I would advise anyone starting or thinking on becoming a pilot, to start with the written test, get it out of the way, and dedicate time later to learn the basics of actual flying.

	I also obtained the endorsement for hig-powered single-engine airplanes, so now I am flying this high-powered airplane. It is a Cessna 182P tail number N21315. The picture was taken at Tri-State Aereo in Evansville, Indiana late December, 2005. Pictures of this airplane can be found here..
	I also obtained the complex single-engine airplane endorsement. I am also flying this Piper Arrow II PA-28o. This is a complex airplane (with retractable gear) rated at 200 Hp.

Flying destinations:

Here are two great restaurants for fly-in: Vince's in Muncie, Indiana, and Rick's Cafe at Eagle Creek Airpark, IN.

AVIATION RESOURCES

I thought about preparing a number of aviation links, but there are resources on the Internet that are so good that they must be named. The main resource, I think is the Web site of AOPA. This is the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, of which I am a member. I would strongly encourage you to take advantage of the free six-month free membership for student pilots, and then to become a member. The AOPA does much more than help student pilots. Go to their Web Site and read.

	AOPA WEB SITE
	AOPA Training Site for student pilots
	AOPA Aviation links: Go to the AOPA Web Site and click on "Links" in the main manu

I will next list the places where you can get books and material that will prepare you for the private pilot certificate. I used two incredible resources to prepare for the final test. The first one is the book "Private Pilot Handbook" by Rod Machado. This is a complete information resource in a clear, understandable and humorous writing. I strongly recommend it!. This book is complemented by a second great book entitled "Rod Machado's Private Pilot Workbook"

Rod Machado is known as one of General Aviation's best and most solicited speaker, and his humor helps the audience digest sometimes not-so-easy concepts. This is true both for his live appearances and for his books. I have provided Rod's link here and I hope you will visit his Web Site. He has a number of books, videos, and DVD's for the student pilot and pilot. During the November 2005 AOPA Expo I had the opportunity of listening to and speaking with Rod Machado. I was impressed with the depth of his aviation knowledge. He signed my personal copy of his book "Plane Talk". I strongly recommed this book.

Rod uses his humor to drive home serious and important concepts. His book "Plane Talk" goes beyond humor and dwelves into the philosophy of flying and the psychology of the aviator. If you are serious about flying you should read and re-read this book until the pages fall off. What impressed me most is how Rod Machado tries time and time again to impress upon the pilot the importance of constant learning. For those of you who know me or have attended my clinical anatomy conferences, you may recall how I myself am most adamant about constant learning. Here are some excerpts (with the author's permission) of some of the articles in his book "Plane Talk":

Sine qua non, the essential elements of learning: "To the wise and experienced learner, the fundamentals -the basics- of any behavior represent the place where learning should begin. Basics hastily pursued and insufficiently mastered offer a false and unreliable confidence to their possesors. Basics purposefully mastered, step-by-step, component-by-component, lead to better performance, better decisions and more accurate judgment. For this reason, and this reason only, we should discipline ourselves to mastering the basic skills before moving on to more complex behaviors."

Helping your brain learn about flying: "So be smart. Become profficient at learning and learn when it is right to be wrong. Make your mistakes work for you and not against you. Rejoice in their appearance, and file the information. As long as the file is open, the information may prove to be useful and you haven't really made a mistake. As Thomas Watson, founder of IBM once said:"If you want to succeed, double your failure rate."

A reverence for aviation's past: "Blase Pascal once suggested that the human race is like a man who never dies -always acquiring knowledge. We will always have the past to study. Let's use it to help us establish an historic identity, to learn about the greatness that came before us and the traditions that we should carry into the future. Strive to maintain an historical dimension to your view bout aviation."

Rod has recently launched a private pilot on CD course for those of us who have to drive long distances. I am sure that you will learn, but also stay awake. Visit Rod Machado's website and learn from the best!

UPDATE: 10/09/2007

Since I wrote the last paragraphs, I obtained my Instrument Pilot Rating. I already owned Rod Machado's "Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual" and have read it devotedly. You see, training in IFR is directed mostly to passing the checkride, and the training received is basic. You must go beyond the initial IFR training and learn tips and tricks to make you safer in the clouds. This book by Rod is a bible of knowledge! I strongly recommend IFR pilots to read and re-read its pages.

Rod has recently launched a new book on Basic IFR Training. As soon as I read it, I will give you feedback on it.

Another resource is the DVD set "Private Pilot Knowledge Test Course" by KING Schools. This is an 8-DVD set prepared by John and Martha King, and is easy to work with. I also used the King's "Checkride course". This is a two-hour DVD that prepares you for the oral and practical portion of the final test.

I also recommed Sporty's Pilot Shop. Sporty's is probably the largest aviation store ever!. I visited their store at Clermont County Airport in Ohio to buy my headset and was amazed at the size of the warehouse. They use the new Segways to go get your order! They are great at delivery if you buy online.

Back to the Clinical Anatomy Associates Web Page: CLICK HERE