If Only . . .

I could get my hands on sixty-four thousand dollars. I think I could actually BUY a helicopter for what it costs to learn to fly one!!!

Some ground work

I just got my membership to the Women In Aviation organization www.womeninaviation.com . . . . baby steps! Reason for this, is to get into the aviation community, and for scholarship eligibility. I'm going to study for ground school either online or by DVD. First, read my handbook, then study. Will look on ebay or Amazon for a used copy of a ground school on DVD. Found some good info on the FAA site today. A lot of studying can be done myself before taking any flying lessons. Then I can get my student pilot's license, which does involves applying, and getting a medical certificate. The more studying I do upfront, the fewer actual flying lessons I'll need, which equals less expense. See how that works! (as Sydney said this morning, referring to her eating oatmeal without spilling it!)

That's That Done!

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted. I had my swearing-in ceremony on Aug. 22nd, so I'm now an American Citizen. That's the next step toward piloting accomplished, at least.

So, whether it be by student loan, grant, 2nd job, or some other means, I can now go forth and sign me up!

Staying Inspired

I found a really cool blog by a female pilot of 18 yrs. VERY cool. I'm only about 20 years behind her (she started training at 19)!
check it out ... http://copterchick.blogspot.com/2008/02/heli-expo-2008.html
I'm doing lots of research on scholarships - they aren't in abundance. I think "copterchick" did 2-4 lessons a month and it took her 2 years to get her license. It sounds like she had the benefit of no kids to consider - but I have the benefit of 2 kids!!!

I'm not sure now, how I'm going to afford these lessons. I'm pretty sure you don't need to actually enroll in a flight school though. I think they're a bit of a rip-off. If I start off reading and taking some simulator lessons, and schedule the actual flying lessons carefully, it may take me a couple of years or more, but that's ok. I have to find somewhere closer than the place I flew, it was quite a long drive.
Yes, these all sound like excuses as to why I haven't done anything since my flight. But, if I had the money, I'd be flying every weekend.
I wonder if Oprah would like to pay for my lessons. ... sure.

DONE!

I passed the citizenship test. Now I have to wait a couple of months to do the Oath Ceremony. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive to a ten minute interview, where the woman barely looked at me or smiled the whole time. I wanted music and arm waving. Oh well.

The Next Step

Now that's done, I guess I need to figure out how many lessons I can afford, and how many I'll need. Lebanon's kindof far, maybe I can find a school closer that also has a simulator.
In the midst of all this excitement, I also need to study for my citizenship test on June 17th. It's getting close! I think I have to get my citizenship before continuing with lessons, to avoid lots of red tape.