Welcome to my home page.  This is where I keep my blog and where I post project articles that I feel may benefit the world.  I have been an Internet user and domain owner since 1994.  That time frame pre-dates blogs, instant messaging, the World Wide Web, and even Windows as we know them today.  The blog format seen now is a relatively recent update for this website, reflecting the need to keep the newest content at the top of the front page while effectively managing older pages and archives.

This is the first in a series of posts for Aviation Senior Seminar at Eastern Michigan University (EMU).  My classmates, lecturer, guest speakers, and public audience are invited to participate in moderated commenting on each post.  Our in-depth discussions will take place in person after we’ve had a few days to read each others’ posts and comments.

My passion for flying is rooted in childhood curiosity about airplanes.  The array of instruments and switches at the front end of commercial airliners used to seem awesome and mysterious to me.  In 2004, that curiosity inspired me to put the Microsoft Flight Simulator on my wish list.  Flying my desktop simulator and reading FAA publications became one of my hobbies.  I took advantage of the introductory flight coupon at Jackson Community College (JCC) in 2008.  The chaotic economic outlook for an aviation career seemed unappealing to me at the time.  It was later, in 2010, that I changed my mind and decided to seize the opportunity to start flying.  After reading about and touring local flight schools, I made a plan to get my private license at JCC and then transfer to EMU to finish my bachelor’s degree.  I stuck to that plan every step of the way, and now have only a few classes remaining.

I believe career plans should be specific, yet tempered with contingencies.  My ideal career path is to get hired as a flight instructor at EMU, then a regional airline within a few years, and eventually a major airline.  I can imagine myself enjoying the position of first officer or captain of a Boeing 787.  I will call this “plan A”.  Of course, I would be happy with many other flying jobs.  To be brief, I will be looking for opportunities that involve jet transition training and career advancement.

In connection with my research fellowship at EMU, I am currently studying the topic of passenger misconduct.  I will be eager to discuss any current events that might be relevant to that project.

Thank you for visiting and reading my new posts.  This class is going to be a lot of fun!