Professional Pilot Career Journal

 

April 17, 2002 – Content

 

I think that “content” is the best way to describe my attitude right now.  It’s taken about six months, but I can honestly say I am satisfied, if not thrilled, with my current situation.  I think I’ve managed to develop into a decent instructor and when you feel good about the job you are doing, it makes your life that much better, regardless of what type of job it is.  I go home most nights feeling good about my day, and no longer spend every waking hour concerning myself with the very fastest route back to the airlines.  I know it is there waiting for me, and it is easier to simply have patience than to get worked up about it, and keeping busy in the meantime is helpful in fostering that attitude.  After all, I am still flying for a living, and putting several hours in my logbook every day.

 

I’ve been very busy – flying about 15-20 hours a week and no longer collecting unemployment!  I finally sent a student to the examiner a couple of weeks ago and he passed with no problems, so I have finally “created” one pilot.  I have another taking a checkride this Friday.  I soloed another student last weekend and will probably solo another one next week.

 

I still get a lot of out-of-town students who come here to do some flying with an instructor and to see the sights around Las Vegas.  I see Hoover Dam at least once a week and the Grand Canyon every couple of weeks.  I had the pleasure of standing on the rim of the canyon and being in Death Valley on the same day last week.  It’s amazing the kind of distances you can cover in airplanes.

 

I am still working about six days a week, but we just hired another instructor so I’m hoping to get that down to five once in a while.  I enjoy having a couple days off once in a while to go camping and taking advantage of this wonderful area.

 

Unfortunately, no really good stories to share this time around – nothing really out of the ordinary this month.