07/03/2026
Ever since I was 5 years old, when my dad took me on my first ride, I’ve dreamed about becoming a . At 23-ish, I took my first lesson in a Cessna 172 at Aurora Municipal Airport in Aurora, IL. I quit after seeing how much it cost, which was still astronomical back then compared to the (very low) income I had at the time.
In 1995, I returned to the skies with zeal and purpose. I soloed at DuPage Airport in a Piper Warrior (N4388W). Isn’t it amazing how you never forget the details of that day? However, my son being on the way quickly became more of a priority than finishing my training. Soon after, the school closed down (this was before the digital transformation in aviation) and I moved, losing my logbook with 36 hours in it in the process.
In 2018, I moved to Texas and started training again while trying to balance an over-the-road trucking career and stopped again after my instructor told me he would never let me solo because I wasn’t flying enough (once per month, on average… because that’s how much time I had at home).
Fast forward to last year and coming off the road in 2025, I found another instructor, was introduced to Eddie Eichler, who owned the plane in the picture until recently, and chose a former C-130 flight instructor as my instructor. We’ve been working together for the past 6 months or so and today, a dream 30-some years in the making has come true.
I’ve earned my wings and can call myself a Private Pilot! It’s time to learn!
Thanks to everyone who took part in this journey: Pilot Institute Airplanes , Angle of Attack | Online Ground School , Sporty's Pilot Shop , EAA. Y’all have been amazing.
