The Old Dawg Learns New Tricks -Part 1 of 12

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ENTRY 1- GETTING TO KNOW YOU

We'll boys and girls, Uncle Rik did something he hasn't done in decades... I attended a college course.  My wife, who is very supportive of this, was kidding me all the while asking if I had an apple for the instructor and a couple juice boxes as I was heading for my car Tueday night. 

After years of wishing, I'm finally doing.  I have enrolled at Southwest Illinois College and am now taking courses to start my quest to officially get my Private Pilot's License.

Our class is much smaller than most, only eight future pilots including myself.  Our instructor is Eric Stake, a former USAF C-141 Starlifter pilot who still works at the TACC on Scott AFB and is very easy to get along with. (Ok I'm sucking up already)

In the next 12 blog entries you'll learn a little more about me and my fellow classmates Annette, Brent, Zack, Josh and his brother Chris, Ashley and James.  BTW- It was very comforting to see there are several classmates in my age group too. Whew!

Last night we learned each other's flying background and reasons for taking this course.  We also learned the Pilot Training Process, the catagories, types and models of aircraft, Opportunities in the aviation community and the Human factors that impact how we fly.  It's a proven fact ... Your attitude has great bearing on our altitude.

One BIG difference between this course and almost every college course is the grading scale. There isn't your normal A,B, C, D, F  grading.  Because this is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and implemented by the College, we will have to score 80% or better to pass.  

This was lesson 1 of 12 so I'll keep you updated as this Old Dawg starts to Learn those New Tricks.  

Until next time

-Rik out