I think you've got some great input here from some people of real experience.
I grew up in an aviation household. While I can handle the basics, I never got my pilots license. It just wasn't a strong desire. IMO it absolutely must be.
When I was 14 and my brother was 16, my father came to me with a worried look and said ;"your brother wants to learn how to fly." I said, "oh really?" Dad looked me straight in the eyes and said, "your brother will kill himself in an airplane - you on the other hand are a natural." lol, I never forgot that.
My father got his first flying lesson at age 14 in 1943 from his cousin Bernard Pietenpol in a Pietnpol Aircamper. He soloed in an Aeronca Champ. After college, he went on to get USAF training for fighters (Korea), then came back to Montana where he taught flying, and was a pilot for hire. He flew hunters into the backcountry (mostly the Bob), delivered mail and groceries in the winter to isolated ranches, etc., etc. He was building hours. Then he got hired by a major airline and retired 33 year later left seat 747 at age 60 with 23,000 hrs.
He's 97 now, and sharp as a tack. His favorite years flying were here in Montana. As he says, "real airplanes have propellers and shit sticking out all over."
Having watched my dad over 65 years, I can say flying wasn't a casual thing to him. He did it because he had a total love and passion for all things flying. Staying safe and proficient isn't anything casual. It takes time, money, real desire and comittment. He lost dozens of friends over the years to aviation accidents. When my dad asked a good friend of his who was retiring at his FAA mandatory 60 years of age if he would continue to fly, the guy replied; "Heck no. These dad-gum airplanes will kill you!"
Truer words were never spoken.
I grew up in an aviation household. While I can handle the basics, I never got my pilots license. It just wasn't a strong desire. IMO it absolutely must be.
When I was 14 and my brother was 16, my father came to me with a worried look and said ;"your brother wants to learn how to fly." I said, "oh really?" Dad looked me straight in the eyes and said, "your brother will kill himself in an airplane - you on the other hand are a natural." lol, I never forgot that.
My father got his first flying lesson at age 14 in 1943 from his cousin Bernard Pietenpol in a Pietnpol Aircamper. He soloed in an Aeronca Champ. After college, he went on to get USAF training for fighters (Korea), then came back to Montana where he taught flying, and was a pilot for hire. He flew hunters into the backcountry (mostly the Bob), delivered mail and groceries in the winter to isolated ranches, etc., etc. He was building hours. Then he got hired by a major airline and retired 33 year later left seat 747 at age 60 with 23,000 hrs.
He's 97 now, and sharp as a tack. His favorite years flying were here in Montana. As he says, "real airplanes have propellers and shit sticking out all over."
Having watched my dad over 65 years, I can say flying wasn't a casual thing to him. He did it because he had a total love and passion for all things flying. Staying safe and proficient isn't anything casual. It takes time, money, real desire and comittment. He lost dozens of friends over the years to aviation accidents. When my dad asked a good friend of his who was retiring at his FAA mandatory 60 years of age if he would continue to fly, the guy replied; "Heck no. These dad-gum airplanes will kill you!"
Truer words were never spoken.
