So, What’s next?

Hello Risers “by any means necessary,”

First let me begin by giving you all my sincerest apology! I am truly sorry for starting this blog and disappearing for over a year. However, the reason why I have been absent is very important and I promise to tell you all about it shortly. I want to pick up where I left off in my journey if that is even possible. My last blog post talked about my first solo and all the excitement behind it. Although, what happens after solo’ing? What is next to come?

For most flight students, the next step after solo’ing is to obtain a private pilot’s license (PPL). Your instructor will typically have you begin private pilot written prep work to get you prepared to take the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam. The PPL written exam is a multiple choice exam regarding basic aerodynamics, aircraft systems, FAA regulations, weather, and other very important topics. After passing your written exam with a least a 70% and a few more flights with your instructor to hone in on your skills and maneuvers, you should be ready for a check ride. Your check ride will consist of an oral portion, followed by a flight. There is a requirement of 40 hours to get your PPL and typically takes an average full-time student about 3 months to obtain.

My Story

As I am explaining what the next steps after soloing are, I realize my journey to actually receive my private pilot’s license was not like this at all. It felt like a never ending struggle and it took a very long time. It took so long that I am almost embarrassed to say. However, I think it is important to know because everyone will earn their private pilot license at different times. Maybe it will take you longer due to financial reasons (as in my case), or due to instructor compatibility, or school closures, weather, etc. For me, it took 4 years!

After soloing, I did begin the prep work to take my PPL written exam. If you can recall, I was enrolled in a full time collegiate aviation program which prepared us exceptionally well for that exam via a semester long private pilot ground school. The part that was a struggle for me was the flying portion. Shortly after solo’ing, I ran out of financing. I did receive a scholarship but it was no good to me as I explained in my blog titled “the struggle to fly is real,” so I did what most do when they really want to fly. I applied for more scholarships and got an additional job. Unfortunately, the more I worked the less I could save. Being a single mother, a full time student, and now a full time employee was very difficult. The more I needed to be away, the more I needed child care, which cost more money. The circle I was running in seemed to never end.

I did eventually receive another scholarship through Women Military Aviators in the amount of $3,000. This came as a huge blessing, yet after the funds were used up to fly, I still had not received my Private Pilot’s License. The problem with this was every time I received a scholarship, the time in between flying was long enough to set me back. The money started to not even help at all because the amounts were too small. The scholarships only covered enough flying to catch me back up where I left off.

Four years later, several scholarships, a college degree, several attempts to join the military as an aviator, several aviation related jobs to keep me motivated, and a move from Omaha, Nebraska to Tampa, Florida; I still was without a Private Pilot’s License. However, my move across the country sparked in me something that eventually led me to receive my PPL and so much more. With my move came even more determination as I felt I had to make it by any means necessary! As soon as I was established in my new home, I enrolled in another aviation collegiate program to receive my Master’s Degree. By doing so. I was introduced to other pilots whom motivated me to stay the course and follow my dreams. I vowed to myself to continue to rise!

One of those pilots became like a mentor to me and told me to apply to a new program that American Airlines rolled out titled the American Airlines Cadet Academy. I went through a vigorous application and interview process and was eventually accepted. This is essentially why I have been missing and not writing on this platform, as I am currently still in the program. I promise to discuss more of this and what the program has been like for me. Nevertheless, I am now a private pilot and instrument rated at that (more to come)!

My Advice

Please, whatever you do… Do Not Give Up! You are reading my story in the truth, and it took me four – almost five years to obtain what many do in a few months. I ask that you stay the course and follow your dreams. Tap into whatever it is that inspires and motives you! Also know that God, Source Energy, the Universe, or whatever you believe in has placed in your heart and soul to fly. So keep at it. No matter what…fly! Fly…then, Rise (by any means necessary)!

#ContinueToRise