Evening Bob,
I saw this post the other morning while I was doing something before going to work but didn't have the chance to really read it at the time. Your story reminded me of two students I had back when I was instructing.
I'll call them Fred and Joe.
Fred was in the consulting business and wanted to learn to fly to help his business to get around and see clients. Very smart, very motivated and as it turned out a pretty good stick. During his pvt training I was constantly having to reign him in. After he got his pvt he built some time and then immediately started on his instrument. When he was done there he bought himself a very nicely equipped turbo RG spam can and flew all over.
Joe was in the High Tech industry and wanted to fly for fun and a little business. Joe was also very smart and motivated but Joe was also very cautious. Joe too flew for a bit and then earned his instrument and even multi engine ratings and flies his own cabin class twin.
Point is, even though they are both competent and now (nearly 20 years after I taught them to fly) experienced pilots, I never worry about Joe. He knows what his limitations are and is not afraid in the slightest to say no.
Your comment about sitting in the rocking chair in the sun thinking about the trip sums it all up. You were home and comfortable wondering if you had done the right thing rather than in the airplane trying to get yourself out of a jam.
I saw this post the other morning while I was doing something before going to work but didn't have the chance to really read it at the time. Your story reminded me of two students I had back when I was instructing.
I'll call them Fred and Joe.
Fred was in the consulting business and wanted to learn to fly to help his business to get around and see clients. Very smart, very motivated and as it turned out a pretty good stick. During his pvt training I was constantly having to reign him in. After he got his pvt he built some time and then immediately started on his instrument. When he was done there he bought himself a very nicely equipped turbo RG spam can and flew all over.
Joe was in the High Tech industry and wanted to fly for fun and a little business. Joe was also very smart and motivated but Joe was also very cautious. Joe too flew for a bit and then earned his instrument and even multi engine ratings and flies his own cabin class twin.
Point is, even though they are both competent and now (nearly 20 years after I taught them to fly) experienced pilots, I never worry about Joe. He knows what his limitations are and is not afraid in the slightest to say no.
Your comment about sitting in the rocking chair in the sun thinking about the trip sums it all up. You were home and comfortable wondering if you had done the right thing rather than in the airplane trying to get yourself out of a jam.