Becoming a pilot…

I told myself that I always wanted to learn how to fly.  Have you ever said those words to yourself?  That was the dream that I had in 1979.  25 years later, on July 19, 2004 it became a reality. 

I just passed my FAA Private Pilot Check ride.  I had my ticket!   I now had been granted the privilege and rights thereof to operate an (ASEL) Airplane Single Engine Land.

I can remember the day that I finally made the leap and went down to the airport and meet my new best friend Michael L. Phillips CFII.   I asked him how long and how much it would cost me to learn how to fly?  He said to me, how old are you…he then paused for a moment and said…$9 to 10K.  I said, well can I do it for less…he said that depends on you. It really did depend on me. 

We all learn at a different pace and as a Financial Systems Analyst/Technical Trainer, I thought I had it all figured out.  Boy was I wrong.   The next 429 days became a journey that I will never forget.  My first flight (May 17th, 2003) and first solo (December 17th, 2003 – “The 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight”), cross country, and on July 19th, 2004 landing number 311 in Cessna N748SP of my FAA Check ride...I had my ticket!

I wish to thank everyone at Monterey Bay Aviation that contributing to making my teenage dream a reality.  I spent over 61 weekends studying, flying and working on developing skills that helped me to become a Private Pilot.
My next dream is to help carry on the dreams of others and become a CFI…  MBA can help you “Be a Pilot!”

Michael G. Zazzera
Financial Systems Manager
NETGEAR
3/26/07