In the latest Diamond Airmail, there’s a list of the top five reasons to fly small aircraft.
A few that caught my eye:
Explore uncharted territory
“Private flying opens up the world. Discover the feeling only GA pilots and their passengers know.”
Share Your Passion
“Aviation is a wonderful world. It is full of people who have discovered their passion in life. Is there a better way to share your passion with your family and loved ones than in a small aircraft? You all get to sit in the cockpit, even your pet if it fits.”
Other reasons listed:
- Be independent
- Enjoy the view
- Appreciate the privacy
What about you? What are your top reasons for being a general aviation pilot? Add them to the Comments below.
Besides the flexibility of flying when and where I want to, the big advantage is that flying my ‘slow’ Cessna cuts the travel time to 1/3 that of driving.
A 400 mile trip takes 6 hours by car on CA freeways, but only 2 hours, flying a shorter distance.
Sacramento CA to north of LA is 7 hours by car, but 2:45 at 140 mph in my Cessna.
With the current CA costs of fuel, the difference is $90…..worth the time savings to me ?
The Mile High Club.
The poem HIGH Flight by Pilot Officer John G Magee Jr says it best:
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on 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 , not even eagle flew
And while the silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
The great feeling of enjoying flying an aircraft in which you and your lifetime partner are in control, using the skills that you have earned. Fortunately for me my wife would rather navigate than take the controls, so we are a perfect match.
For me, it is total stress relief from very busy and hectic long days at work! Nothing better to sooth the soul then to leave the earthly realm and enter the heavens where angels fly.
I agree, as AOPA book title explains “The Freedom to Fly”.
I liked having my own flexible schedule. Just go to the airport, untie, start up and fly. Change destination or add a delay inroute. No problem.