Growth

Officially a private pilot - Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York

Image by Adam Rosenberg

I do not have the opportunity to fly as often as I would like. I will close out 2020 with less than 30 hours in a single engine airplane (it was more than twice that amount in 2019). I have been extremely busy with work but of course the large reason behind the reduction in flying is and continues to be because of COVID-19. This pandemic cannot end soon enough.

While editing my latest flying video, I stopped to reflect at how I have developed as a airman. I thought of my time as a student pilot; my nerves often overtaking me as I made my best attempt at communicating with a fast-talking, intimidating (no fault of their own) New York air traffic controller; envisioning my landing going somewhat badly while on final approach; and sometimes lacking the recognition of my own progress even after being certificated. There was a long period where I lacked the confidence in my instrument training and believed that I would never finish and obtain that rating.

I’ve only recently started chronicling some of my flights and for the first time I can remove myself from the cockpit and have a view from the outside looking in. It is interesting and uncomfortably to see all at the same time. I always feel uneasy being in front of a camera - still or motion. And I’m not a fan of my voice. It can be excruciating for me to hear, at times. With that aside, I am learning from some mistakes I’ve made. Many have said that being in the air and in an airplane makes for a dangerous classroom and documenting some of my flights allows me (and anyone else) to catch things that I may have done incorrectly and for any pilot those lessons are invaluable.