Today marks a new beginning in aviation for me.  The morning weather is perfect, the wind is lively, and I am absorbing knowledge of airplanes like a sponge.

Auspiciously, I received a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration as I was leaving to go to the airport.  Its contents were totally unremarkable, yet provided some light reading when I arrived a few minutes early.

My decision to embark on this career path comes after years of informal study and preparation for the formal and extremely professional journey ahead.