High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.

Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace where never lark, or ever eagle flew.

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

—John Gillespie Magee

*Image license: iStock

Becoming a Private Pilot

The route most private pilots take is to train with a private flight school. To go more in depth you can download a free copy of a book I wrote, "Learning to Fly an Airplane: Insider information from a student perspective." Some parts are outdated. Read it only for an overview of general aviation student pilot training.

For information about my aviation journey click here.

If you really want to take a deep dive, check out the FAA's "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge."

And if you really want to do it right, check out Embry-Riddle, the very best in aeronautical education.