Flight Training - January 2012 - 4

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Craig Fuller

AOPA SERVICES
THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION is general aviation's advocate and the largest, most influential aviation association in the world.

TAKE TO THE SKIES FOR PURE ENJOYMENT
erhaps you’re a student pilot and most of your recent flying time has been about mastering the specific skills you need to earn your certificate. Or maybe you’re a flight instructor and your flight hours are focused on imparting that knowledge. Maybe you’re working on an advanced rating so you can get a flying job or move up to a bigger, faster airplane. Wherever you are in your
personal aviation journey, it’s easy to focus on the specific mission and forget about the sheer fun of flying. It’s something I know a lot about. I’ve been flying for more than 40 years now, and for the vast majority of my flight hours were spent primarily in getting me from Point A to Point B. Most of my flying was done for business trips, and I never seemed to be able to find much time to get a $100 hamburger or do a little personal traveling. And although I always you might never really think about taking a Bonanza, like remote backcountry airstrips. I recently tagged along with AOPA’s 2012 Tougher Than a Tornado Sweepstakes Husky as it flew through New England on a photo mission. I visited beautiful airstrips in places you simply can’t access via roads. I spent time relaxing and enjoying the act of flying itself. And I got to experience what goes into getting that perfect shot for our magazines. It was rejuvenating.

TIME TO FLY

INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO FLY? Visit AOPA’s engaging website for people who want to know more about what’s involved in learning to fly—and what it’s like. www.LetsGoFlying.com RESOURCES FOR STUDENT PILOTS Ask an AOPA CFI | ft.aopa.org/ask Flight Training article archive | ft.aopa.org/archive Aviation library | ft.aopa.org/library Supplemental training information | ft.aopa.org/student Virtual flight bag, including online weather and airport directory | ft.aopa.org/flightbag PILOT INFORMATION CENTER Members can receive answers to flight training and other aviation questions, and join or renew by telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday | 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Via the Internet | ft.aopa.org/ask AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE ONLINE SAFETY CENTER Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot education and safety programs online. Via the Internet | www.airsafetyinstitute.org Call | 800-638-3101 AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS AOPA Aircraft Financing Program | 800-62-PLANE AOPA Aircraft Insurance Program | 800-622-AOPA Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available AOPA Credit Card Program | 800-523-7666 AOPA Legal Services Plan | 800-USA-AOPA AOPA Foundation | 800-955-9115 Other products | 800-USA-AOPA ONLINE GUIDE TO AOPA MEMBER SERVICES To join or renew, or for information about AOPA membership, e-mail inforequest@aopa.org or Visit the website | www.aopa.org/join NEW ADDRESS? Send your new address and membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 Fax | 301-695-2375 Via the Internet | www.aopa.org/coa-form.html

AS SO OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU BREAK OUT OF YOUR ROUTINE AND TRY SOMETHING NEW, I DISCOVERED A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF FLYING.
liked flying—and flying GA was always the most pleasant and sometimes the only way to reach my destination—it was really more about transportation than about simply enjoying the freedom to fly. Over the decades I’ve owned and operated a string of airplanes of all sizes, including many Cessnas and the Beechcraft Bonanza I still fly today. But I was recently captivated by an airplane that, for me, has little to do with transportation and everything to do with fun. I told you a couple of months back that I had purchased a 1998 Aviat Husky. Why? Well, in part because I decided that this is my time to fly just because I love the sensation of being airborne, the freedom to go when and where I choose, and the unique perspective that comes with seeing the world from above. The Husky is a tailwheel airplane— something I had never flown before—and I enjoyed the challenge of learning a new skill. It’s also perfect for taking to places And, as so often happens when you break out of your routine and try something new, I discovered a whole new world of flying—and all kinds of places I’d like to explore with my Husky. And for once, I plan to make those explorations a personal priority. I still need to fly for transportation. My work on behalf of AOPA’s members takes me all around the country, and I need to travel quickly and efficiently so that I can pack as much as possible into every trip. So you probably won’t see me arriving at a West Coast event in my Husky anytime soon. But the experience of getting back to all the things I love about flying, and discovering new things to love, has enriched even the flying I do strictly for transportation. Regardless of why you fly, I hope you’ll take some time in 2012 to take to the skies purely for the enjoyment of doing so. I’m sure you’ll find it time well spent.
Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa.org.

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

http://www.LetsGoFlying.com http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://ft.aopa.org/archive http://ft.aopa.org/library http://ft.aopa.org/student http://ft.aopa.org/flightbag http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/join http://www.aopa.org/coa-form.html http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - January 2012

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