Flying is a wonderful experience and an exciting adventure. I have learned so much over this past year of studying for the PPL written as I save up my money for the lessons. I have many pilot friends who are so willing to encourage my goals and often offer me the opportunity to fly with them.
Many times flying allows us to do things that we wouldn't be able to if we relied on ground transportation. Recently, the mother of a friend of mine died after a brief illness. This would be tragic enough, but add to this the fact that her father had died suddenly and unexpectedly six months previously. I really wanted to go to the funeral to lend my support. The service was scheduled for a Sunday afternoon in a town 1- 1/2 hours away by car. I had work commitments in the morning and in the evening, and I realized that I would not be able to attend all three.
I called my friend, Robin, who is one of my "learn to fly" cheerleaders, to see if he would be available to fly me and two more friends to the funeral. He was friends as well.
We met at KEXX in Lexington, NC for the 25 minute flight to KTTA in his Baron 58. The four of us arrived with time to spare and were met and given a ride to the church. It meant a great deal to our friend to have representatives from her church family to offer support. Following the service and reception, we headed back to KTTA for the flight back to KEXX. We arrived just in time for me to make it to my important evening meeting.
This experience is just one more reason that GA is so important, and why I will fly one day!
