I Passed My Checkride! The weird way I was motivated to start flying.

In July 2019 I passed my checkride. But how did I get here? Many events happen in life that take you to another unexpected place that can change you forever. I would love to hear what made you decide to become a private pilot. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey and many more to come. I will be sharing my checkride experience in another video with respect to the DPE. There is no video of my checkride, but I will share how I prepared and some things to expect.
Music
Audio Jungle
Poignant Piano V - Scott Wills
Stomp Clap Drum Beach - Mat Steiner
Clocks-572 - Adi Goldstein
Jerry Ligon Boca Raton

[@TheCapTan]

Congrats Laurie!!

[@marcpilotte9583]

I’ve watched hundreds of GA videos, and I find your videos are the most encouraging. I’m 74, and hope and pray I can slide into GA before too long. Thanks again! You’re a true BLESSING!👍🏻

[@tomsmith3045]

Love the story! I always wanted to fly, but always put it off because it wasn't "practical". Then I went up once, and was hooked. About your hours to checkride - I only know one guy who bragged about how few hours he had before checkride, and he's known as not being quite as skilled in reality as he is in his own mind. It absolutely does take longer when you space out the lessons.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for watching! I have been told by other pilots they soloed in 4 hours and why is it taking me so long. I said, I don't want to solo in 4 hours, I don't think you can get the experience you need in that time, especially in South Florida airspace.

[@shopart1488]

Very, very nice video. You will never forget your first solos I did mine in 1977 and it is still like it was yesterday!!!

[@topofthegreen]

Well I don’t do relationships, they wreck you’re life, I’m in a relationship with aviation. I’m on the same path with an obsession with flying. I love you’re videos.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Yep. I get it ☺️

[@jortiz42]

Laurie, awesome, you inspire me to continue to Commercial Pilot. God bless you!

[@CaptMoo]

Oh man loving your videos. Thanks for sharing and being creative telling your story. Happy Landings.

[@Twinkletimetunes]

Hi Laurie, great video by the way. Belated congrats on passing your check-ride. I appreciate the fact that it took you a couple of years to complete the process. That is one of my worries that what if I don't complete my PPL training in 3, 4 or 6 months. I'm giving this PPL a lot of thought. Your experience has inspired me a great deal. The honesty is appreciated. Be safe...

[@mikeyswingsacrossthesky2244]

Really really well done!!!!!!! I always wanted to fly but could never afford it, then I could afford it but could'nt justify it, then many years later my grown up daughters bought me a trial lesson. Now, I can justify flying, the budget though a little tight will not stop me this time! Looking forward to going solo next year aged 65! I came across your videos around 18 months ago and enjoy them and be inspired by them. Well done again and I hope to watch many more as you enjoy your flying freedoms!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Mikey's wings across the sky Just keep going and enjoy and do what you can. Glad your daughters bought you a lesson and you can take on a new exciting adventure.

[@wgrasqu]

Congrats fellow FL pilot.. like others have said, get your IFR if you can - helps during our summer weather.

[@AllenPortman]

I know it has been 4 years ago but still cool and encouraging to watch your journey to becoming a private pilot!!!

[@dimaclipse25]

Congratulations, I'm sure you are aware every flight is a challenge , the icing on the cake. Happy Landings.

[@davidallen9526]

You've got some talent with the graphics! Although this is only the second video of yours I've seen, I find myself excited about starting to view your videos from the first and watching you achieve your goals and making your dreams come true. We all go thru life obstacles and blessings. I've been interested in flight from a young age. It took me so many years to make it to this point. In short life kept getting in the way. Yes, I'm the one who allowed that crap to stand in my way. However, I've had a great ride and wouldn't have missed all of those memories for anything. I had lessons in 6 different aircraft and have found that what I was seeking was a small two seat that I could just spend time in the air enjoying the freedom of flight. The plane that I decided on was economic and a blast to fly. She is a Flightstar 2SL. Will be soloing soon. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos and sharing in your experiences. Blue Skys and Tailwinds.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Love hearing all the stories. I hope you accomplished your goals and your solo was a success.

[@FreedomfixerFlying]

You are truly an inspiration to all burgeoning pilots, to non-pilots and Aviationists everywhere! Thanks for sharing your story and flight experiences. Keep up the great work!

[@succesfuldeals]

Very nice, congratulations. We all get started one way or another, glad you decided to make the journey. Great artwork and nice story. Stay safe and keep chugging along.

[@Jay-hr3rh]

Wow, I judged her from her first video I saw. I would not have guessed that money was of any concern to her. I'm about her age. I find the story inspiring.

[@davecat1458]

Cool stuff. Motivations are fun to talk about. Mine was a plane crash behind our house when I was 12. From then on until just a few years ago I had a terrible fear of flying. I finally faced it head on and won. I got my PPL in 2017. The tragic accident occurred in 1972. Upon hearing my story, my DPE, insisted that I should write a story. A few weeks later the pen starting putting down words and it was eventually published in Plane & Pilot, April 2018.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I witnessed a crash a few months after I got my license. It does create some reality. I will have to look for your book.

[@MerlinspopTBH]

Congrats, Laurie! I’ve been hoping for an update. Maybe I mentioned before... Mine too 8 years to get. Divorce, job, remarrying, kid... life. It’s okay; it took however long that it took. Then more life happened and I stopped for another 13 years, but am active again and loving sharing flight with my youngest son. Love your channel and I’m looking forward to watching your adventures.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Merlinspop I was hoping my video would be relatable. How special for your to share your adventures with your son. Thanks for sharing your story. ☺️

[@MerlinspopTBH]

I’m thinking about going to SnF next year. If I do, I’d love to meet up and give you a high five!

[@clermer]

So cool, loved the graphics in your video, you have alot of talent. I fly a Meridian, keep up the training and get the instrument rating!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Charles Ermer Thanks. A pretty rough animation but an organic presentation eh? The Meridian is a cool plane. I am studying for my high performance rating and Cirrus Transition Training. I am just going to enjoy flying for a while before I get into another challenge of an instrument rating. Need to take a deep breath for now. ☺️

[@dixielandfarm]

Congratulations, Laurie! Very exciting and a lesson that persevering always pays! Of course, you never stop learning - so going on to your instrument rating may be next for you. Always keep reaching!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

dixielandfarm Possibly instrument. But starting to work on my Cirrus Training and high performance rating. Another goal of mine. Thanks for watching 😊

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

Excellent job! Extremely well done on the Artwork, cuts, storyline, and flow! Very motivating! And belated congrats!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Glad you enjoyed it. But it is "rough" animations.

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Thats the charm of it. Very effective and creative.

[@leejames4757]

Stumbled upon this video late one night! Your story is amazing and invigorating! What a wonderful journey! I became interested in flying way too late to do anything about it as a career and with a wife and a mortgage and two wonderful children at the time, I did not have the cash. Here in the UK, flying is very expensive! However, I discovered Flight Simulator years back and now I have a virtual career! I was a beta tester for Microsoft many years ago and if I can pass the medical, I have plans to start a PPL in the very near future! But for now, I live the dream virtually, flying airliners across the globe and writing the odd review here and there! Huge congratulations on taking a very tough situation and turning it around (I suffered the pain of divorce after many years of marriage and so can empathise with you somewhat). You are a shining light in the face of adversity and a role model for women in aviation. I will enjoy your videos and your flying experiences. Well done and regards from this side of the Pond. Lee

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Congrats on the Flight Simulator because I tried it a few times and could not do it. Your story is amazing as well as you dealt with the adversity of your situation. Hope you get you PPL one day.

[@leejames4757]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Thank you Laurie! I really appreciate your kind reply. Tomorrow I take the Boeing 777-200 across the Atlantic from London Gatwick to Las Vegas using the new Simulator! If I can, I'm going to film the landing and then put it up on my channel. Please take care in these very difficult times. Kind regards - Lee

[@davidwaples8758]

Enjoy the videos and the commentary. I transitioned into the DA-40 as well and that's how I came across your videos. Wonderful airplane to fly. Stay well and enjoy your adventure.

[@montewest112]

Inspirational, thanks for sharing, at 61 years old I decided to add flying to my life’s journey. I now have 20 hours in Skyhawk 172 within 1.5 months. Sad that I didn’t do this at 16 instead, however I feel 16 again flying left seat.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I can relate. Not only do you feel younger, challenging yourself keeps you sharper and younger 😊

[@TheVirtualAirlinePilot]

A really enjoyable video! I love the way you presented it. You also asked our/my story? I did about 8 hours flying in a Cessna 150 when I was in my 20's - but then stopped because I found something better to spend my money on at the time - GIRLS! From then on, my career was spent for some 27 years in Aviation Security at London's Heathrow Airport and after taking early retirement in 2006, I then did 11 years at London Gatwick, London's second airport, in the same job. As I got older I began to fully realise what I had done and never should have stopped the flying lessons!! And as time went on, with a wife, kids and a mortgage, flying lessons were just a dream. Now at the age of 66, I am fully retired and divorced and actually now I have the funds to finance a flying course - but I'm still undecided if I should go and learn to fly. In the UK, we need 45 hours flying to get a PPL and it's hugely expensive over here - and I need to fly 12 hours a year just to stay current and keep the licence! Right now, I am very lucky that through the joy and realism of Flight Simulation, I can have the airline career I always wanted but could never have; And I'm also wondering if I could actually pass the Class Two medical that is required here in the UK, in order to fly and get licenced. I also wonder about coming to the US to do the course because I learn better with regular flying - something that is difficult here in the UK because we don't have the wonderful Florida flying weather! So I'm on the fence! But if I may say so, you are an amazing woman for taking this journey and I'm sure you've been told many times how stunning you look (sorry, not trying to be weird, it's a genuine compliment) and I felt the lump rise in my throat seeing you pass the check ride and get licenced - and I have managed to watch a few of your videos since. Anyway, no more rambling from me! A huge well done. I have subscribed. Looking forward to more videos. Kindest regards - Lee (virtualairlinepilot.org)

[@cq7415]

About what I figured. Went through a hard time. Neat you were a professional skier. You had a adventuresome life and will have another different adventuresome future flying. Would love to fly with you. Take care.

[@jimsandoval7633]

Oh man I am in tears from this video! It is so well done, so fun to see, and so inspiring. Your story is one we all need to hear. I just found your video today and Monday after tomorrow is my birthday and if the weather helps, I hope to solo my little experimental airplane. I have been working on this for 3 years now. Your videos are amazing, the music, the graphics, the softness and the way of how time moves forward in the right direction. I would like to wipe my tears off and say thank you Laurie, you made my day and many to come.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Wow Jim. I appreciate the kind comment. Just doing what I love to do and wish I could get more videos out there for every aviation enthusiast to enjoy. Much respect to you for building your own aircraft. I have many friends that have built their own and I know that takes much dedication and patience!

[@josegregoriogonzalez874]

Laurie, really inspiring, I hope one day I can get into flying again!

[@brucejacobs8232]

Congrats! I have been enjoying watching your flying videos.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thank you. Hoping to have more videos out soon.

[@brucejacobs8232]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway There are a few newer pilots I am subscribed to. You all are very inspiring. My problem is that life keeps getting in the way of me getting my license. Hope to one day soon. Ha!

[@GMascelli]

Congrats!! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@elaineraynor88]

Done very nicely...all the best!!!

[@bobbypatterson7481]

Simply powerful! A colossal congratulations to you! Enjoyed your content. Thanks for sharing.

[@glaiconrezende2590]

Hi Laurie, I came across your channel searching for solo flights out of KPMP. I attend AF there and I am getting ready for my solo. I loved your story. Very inspirational! Congratulations! Hopefully we'll cross paths at KMP one of these days!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thank you neighbor 😊 good luck on your journey!

[@attorneyaviator1318]

Hey Laurie. Congratulations on passing your Checkride!! I just passed mine on Saturday. Did my training in a DA20. Starting my transition to the DA40 tomorrow. Looking forward to it. Thanks for all the videos. They were inspirational.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thank you, Thank you and congratulations to you! I think when you work harder for something it's more appreciated. I took a friend today for the first time in a DA40. He flies a Piper and he loved the Diamond a lot. You will too.

[@blueskyliao8480]

Congratulations!!! You did it. I loved the graphics and the story. I myself got interested in flying when a friend took me on his Cirrus for a ride. Prior to the ride, I was and still am actually a sailor going through all the training and certification in sailing. I found flying challenging and breathtaking so to speak. Believe or not, I am a 300 hr student pilot and it's a long story, but I am determined to go through the PPL, and later instrument rating, and perhaps commercial....I am not getting younger and am 57 yr old...Thanks again for your story and sharing the flights.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Flying in a Cirrus will surely get you motivated. I have about 10 hours in the Cirrus and many as a passenger in a new Cirrus. Hope you accomplish your goals.

[@ahedin]

Congrats! Great story and a creative, fun way to tell it.

[@engrxtn]

Love your story and video. I stopped flying just before my solo. Skills wise I was ready but the nerves were too much!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Sorry to hear that. You may be surprised once you get into the plane the nerves go away because they have to! Then you as PIC have to get serious and take over and fly the plane. 😊

[@engrxtn]

Laurie Lindsey Thanks for your words!!! I’m sorry as well! I miss flying too much!! I need to accomplish it and overcome the huddle. Looking fwd to your videos! I recently found them and got hooked with them...very inspirational and even funny

[@justinmac]

Love your story Laurie, very inspiring! Just enrolled in flight school and discovered intro flights on my 25th birthday! Congrats on passing your check ride!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Best of luck!

[@Parr4theCourse]

Congrats, next to you're 1st SOLO, when you realize you can do this... This is the day you can breathe and enjoy your PPL. Enjoy it for a while!! My wife motivated me to get my PPL@60/IFR@61 and we just flew from Kansas to the Bahamas recently, we went through Ft Pierce vs KFXE though....

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Parr 4 the Course Great story. Very motivational and sounds like that was a wonderful trip for you.

[@gregkinser8250]

This is a wonderful video! Well done!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks Greg. Can't wait to come see ya!

[@learjet45]

I learned to fly at Pompano as well, about 40 years ago. Solo'd in 9, license in 40. My advice is to have the money in the bank or get a loan. Fly as often as possible, at least once a week or more to keep the cost at a minimum.

[@Lx_V]

I just like your creative way of story telling - thanks for sharing

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for watching. Hopefully more stories coming soon. I am working on it :)

[@scottordner2956]

I enjoyed watching your video. I am currently learning to fly. I have about 15 hours and hopefully getting close to my solo. I can totally relate to your story. I started taking flying lessons under somewhat similar circumstances. I completely started over at 50 years old, a couple of years ago, after a twenty year marriage to an alcoholic that had no true interest in cleaning herself up. I have always had an interest in flying just never took the step til recently. I have learned a whole lot and it truly has been a fun an exhilarating experience. Best of luck!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for sharing! Flying will be a joy to your life. Keep at it.

[@KingpinRable]

Congratulations! I got my story, but I’m not ready to share it yet. I am a student and haven’t gotten to the solo flights yet. Working on it very hard. I can honestly say, it’s an awesome adventure. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

You got this!

[@latgringo3884]

Laurie.. You have a new fan. I started my training 10 years ago and got busy after 10 hours. Starting again next month.... but first I will take my written test and get that out the way. I love your video editing as well.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Hey thanks! I started this channel a long time ago just to store some flying videos, but I am so excited to share my experiences and hear about yours. Nice to have this little community of aviators. Good luck on your re-start.

[@anitachristian136]

Hi Laurie Yours is an amazing story. Mine is different. My husband became a flying instructor not long ago and he wanted me to be his first student. Impossible, right? Well, he loves challenges. After two years of trying to persuade me I said “YES, I’ll give it a go”. (My purpose was to be able to take control of the plane if anything ever happened to him in mid flight). So in September 2020 I had my first formal lesson and after about 60 hours of hard work, sweat and some tears I passed my written exams and flight test in January 2021. We fly a pipistrel virus and an FK-9. I soloed in the FK-9 and now I’m starting to transition into the pipistrel. PS I am 60 years old.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Congratulations on your success. Beautiful story.

[@13shandingo]

Congratulations!! 🎉 Super proud of you! You never gave up. Keep that same energy going n you’ll continue to be unstoppable!! Fly safe n have fun!! Thanks sharing your story. We are here to support you and looking forward to watching your amazing journey!!!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for your kind words. Unstoppable is a good choice for my personality. ☺️

[@georgebryant23]

Congrats and thanks for sharing

[@franktbone]

SIRI: "How long will it take me to get my PPL taking lessons 1-2 days a month?" Crickets, c'est la vie. btw: As a musician, Thank you Laurie for crediting the music you use so many youtubers refuse to do so even when asked nicely. Love your honesty and your videos. Happy flights!

[@wtrskrs]

That's very cool!! As a tournament water skier, I loved your graphics and your story. I'm definitely not burned out, but definitely on the downhill side of getting better (upped my PB four years ago, but have been on a downward spiral the past few years. Almost looking forward to after Nationals this year when I can drop to 32mph without penalties.... ;) I've also always wanted to fly but always wondered about my mild colorblindness. I passed ground school many decades ago while in high school but didn't have the $ to continue. I just haven't been able to convince myself that spending $7-10k just to say I'm a pilot is worth it since other than flying around the area, I don't see what I'd do with it. Still, the thrill of solo'ing has always excited me. After watching your video, I may keep it on my bucket list. Course water skiing and flying seem to be a great pair!!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Welcome fellow water skier! I dropped down to 32 mph a few years ago and did not like it as much. I had no idea what I was going to do with my pilot license either. But the self achievement goal feeling was with it. I won nationals twice and traveled and chased buoys for years so breaking the water ski cycle was not easy to do. I spent 10k at least over the course of competing in tournaments so justifying the money toward flying and having that skill instead of trying to get around 3 ball over and over was worth it. Find a designated medical examiner and find out if your color blindness would be a factor. Hope you can do it.

[@Kotaztrafee]

What a great job! Flying and on the video. Love the animations!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Joe Kotarsky Rough animations as we say. ❤️

[@attorneyaviator1318]

Wow. Great job! Proves that persevering through it all and finishing what you started. I’m scheduled for my Checkride in a few weeks. Looking forward to your video on the DPE and the Checkride.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Attorney Aviator The pressure is on. Videos takes a lot of time to put together and I hope I can’t get it completed soon. If not I wish you the best.

[@bobjhg3887]

What a wonderfull way to share this, and so recognisable for me...I started flying after losing my wife and it was such a great cure (being somewhat older than you 😉 ) . And, like me you fly the DA40 glass, what a great plane that is. Just go on building hours, get some extra ratings and enjoy it to the max!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

So sorry to hear about your wife. Flying is something that is a beautiful experience to make you feel just a little better. Thanks for watching.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

So sorry to hear about your wife. Flying is something that is a beautiful experience to make you feel just a little better. Thanks for watching.

[@johncoleman4084]

Inspiring story! Love it! Congratulations! I'm in that place right now!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Good Luck!

[@mcbrida]

You are a great pilot, a natural!

[@Spec62]

Just saw this second video. Quite interesting INDEED. It only gets better after this! Keep doing YOU!

[@flysport_tedder]

I'm glad I stumbled across your channel! Watched your "solo xc" vid and wondered about how you got into flying, so I watched this. I'll catch up on the rest I'm sure :) Your videos are so creative. Love the drawings, the "googling" at the beginning, all of it. (and lol at trying to get a high five)

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Glad you enjoy it. More to come!

[@mykey39]

I believe everyone is put in our life on purpose. Your ex was there to get you interested in flying for some reason. That reason is known only to you but it was not by accident that he was in your life. Congrats on your certification and I am embarking on my private pilot license shortly as it has been a dream of mine to fly ever since I was in the Air Force. I am also looking at going commercial and flying for FEDEX or UPS. Congrats again and great video editing also! Loved it!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

The roads, or airways we take in life can be a mystery. Good luck in your pursuit of flight. Thanks for watching.

[@PalmBeachesPaul]

Nice job with the editing and congrats.

[@gvrose1]

My intro flight scared the pants off of me. As we walked to the plane the CFI said “ you can taxi the plane”. I was all over the taxiway!! Then when we where cleared for take off he said you can fly the plane!!! Oh my god this is my first time in a small plane! I took off and decided to follow the Cessna 172 that was ahead of me. CFI thought I was doing great. I flew out to the practice area all on instruments. Never looked out the damn window and white knuckled it all the way. After looking out the windows on the way back things got easier until he said I could land the plane!!!!!! As I crossed the fence I asked him to take control. On the walk back to the office I figured I had lost 5 pounds of sweat! One year later I had my PPL. I now own a new RV12 and love flying it. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

That’s a great story. Shows how much you can learn. Congrats.

[@erich930]

My story starts all the way back in the mid 2000s, when I was, like, 6. My parents hired Au pairs to take care of myself and my little brother. One of them, who was from Germany, would take us to watch airplanes takeoff and land at KDCA. He is the one we blame for getting me into airplanes! Then, I got an introductory flight for my 14th birthday in the mid 2010s. Now I am in flight training at a University in Ohio, and I am about a week away from my first pattern solo. At my current rate, I'll be taking my Checkride hopefully by October, factoring in bad flying weather as winter approaches!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Amazing story. Let us know how your solo goes.

[@stephenr228]

Hurray!!!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks ☺️

[@stephenr228]

Laurie, I just passed my check ride in a da40 too! Thanks for your videos. I most appreciated that you included mistakes - these were so relatable. Hope to hear your tail number in the air sometime.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

@@stephenr228 Congratulations! It's a feeling of accomplishment that you will never forget.

[@MichaelLloyd]

Congratulations! Interesting story! 2 years! That's great! Wanna know why it's great? Because you stuck with and accomplished your goal! The roaring cake graphic cracked me up. As far as ex's and whatnot go, you can only affect what's in front of you. The stuff behind you is preparation for handling what's coming. (dang... this turned into a novel) My first training flight was 5.24.86 in Sulphur Springs, TX. First solo 8.24.86 (hit a cattle egret with the prop on rotation. That was nifty). Then I moved (work). 9.21.86, first flight in Colorado. Then I moved again (North Louisiana for work) 2.7.87. Checkride 5.16.87 at 53.7 hours. Moved a few more times for work (I always got sent to the new or troublesome places), fast forward to 1992-ish, Divorce happened (not sure what year but it was the expensive one). My 4 little kids and I went back to Texas (thank God for mom) and after a year of pulling everything back together I started my instrument training on 11/1/94. 26.6 hours into the instrument training and guess what... transferred again. Last instrument training flight was 6.6.95. Back in Colorado I did high performance checkout (C182), a mountain flying checkout (same C182), and started tailwheel training. But I couldn't find a CFII, so that went nowhere. The last entry in my logbook, until recently, was on my birthday 6.1.96 (I have PayPal if anyone wants to donate to my airplane purchase fund. I promise to buy me a nice one). 22.5 years (6.5.18) later I got my medical and started looking for an aircraft and instructor to do a BFR.That took 6 months and the closest place to fly was a 2 hour drive away (PKV). 3.9 hours into that, ready for the last flight... guess what... yup transferred again. This'll be the last TDY. After that I'll either retire or rent myself out... uh... I mean rent my PLC programming skills out (done with managing too). I finished my BFR a few months ago. It took 11 hours because of the transfers, the instructor was always busy, and because I wanted it to be thorough. The airport at FMN is on a mesa and the wind is pretty sporty up here. Life is good. I can fly. So yeah, patience and perseverance will win the day... you clearly have the stuff that it takes to stick with it. If you can, start your instrument rating. It's something that will make you an even better pilot and it stays with you. Nailing a heading, climb, or descent was still easy after all of those "missing" years.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Michael Lloyd Thanks for sharing! You certainly had tons of challenges in your path! There is so much emphasis on getting things done quickly when sometimes that can’t always be the case. Roaring birthday cake was a subliminal message that My birthday was not a young one.

[@MichaelLloyd]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway You look pretty young to me :) so you're ahead of that game. Being able to fly is worth the wait. When I'm flying, the rest of the "stuff" is not on my mind. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate is all I have to think about :o) I'd like to get my instrument rating before I tackle my secret goal. Don't tell anyone :) but I'd love to fly a C172 (or 182) to each of the 49 continental US states. Hawaii is a bit too far for those aircraft otherwise I'd include it.

[@pe2aab]

Congrats from the Netherlands!

[@FrankP846]

July of 2017 I turned 70. My wife said she was tired of me being around the house and I needed to get a hobby to keep me out of the house. I said ok, but it will be a little expensive. I want to learn to fly. Well, I am now approaching 60 hours and will soon be soloing.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Great story. Let us know how the solo went!

[@FrankP846]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Well, just passed my practical test this past week. But now all schools are closed due to coronavirus, unable to solo! But will continue to work on it.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

@@FrankP846 You passed the most difficult part! Congrats.

[@rp9525]

Very nice, I'm just getting started.

[@francoiskassis]

Congrats lady... Nice video.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Francois Kassis Thanks ☺️

[@gmm6363]

Congratulations 🎊 you inspired me

[@SimonButler]

My situation is different than yours, but I feel it has a certain similarity. I got my commercial license with instrument rating and high performance and complex endorsement all by age 20. Then 9/11 happened. The career path was pretty bleak, although I know a few people that made it. I didn't. 2003 marked my last flight until 2018. Finally I had enough money to afford to fly again, and last year I passed my BFR and started renting planes and flying my kid around. Now I just fly for the joy of flying, and so I'll seem super cool in the parent group of my kid's friends. Too bad my wife refuses to go with us :(.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Congratulations. Flying is not for everyone I guess.

[@WolfPilot]

I wish I had started 20 years ago when GA was less expensive. Count me as a new subscriber!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for watching. Flying is expensive but so is going to Disney World that my friends choose to do. I rather spend my money on flying. 😊

[@WolfPilot]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway A woman after my own heart! #aviationlove

[@MotuSethGopangamDas]

Awesome!

[@SimonButler]

"traffic no factor" "Damn right he isn't"

[@stevekanaly1]

Congrats

[@kenthigginbotham2754]

WELL DONE!!

[@samimaghrabi1247]

Im just here cause my fire alarms went off and woke me up. but congratulations.

[@diegovd7215]

Congratulations !

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Diego vD Thanks ☺️

[@diegovd7215]

Thank YOU! You asked for our story: during 2017 I learnt as much as I could on KZbin and practiced with X-Plane 11. In February 2018 I took my first GA flight. I did not take off nor land the plane but during the 40 minutes that the flight lasted "I" was the one flying. I logged that in a book I bought for that purpose, the instructor signed it. It was an incredible experience. Had I not have recorded it with an action camera it would have been nothing more than a quick dream with tons of adrenaline erasing all the memory of it. I would like to thank you and Marc for the very interesting and educational videos. I don't know at present time if I'll pursue a PPL, but it is my intent, at least once a year, to fly once more, be it on a very little plane ;) Thank you for sharing your adventure. And thanks to Marc, such a great CFI. Cheers. PS: Good job on those animations ! ;)

[@grega8961]

Well done!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Greg A Thanks☺️

[@paulchang336]

Flying has always been a dream and always wanted to persue it. But i had a lot of aunts, uncles, etc that always told me that it wasnt for me and I didn't have perfect eye sight. They prob thought i was trying for the air force.. because asian parents and elders say go for the best or dont go at all... anyways 44 years old and got my PPL last week! I will now try to fly as many planes and get as many endorsement as i can until im too old to fly.. got a lot of missed experiences to make up :)

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I understand where you’re coming from. I didn’t know anything about aviation. I thought anyone flying a small plane was either going to the airlines or training in the military. When my boyfriend’s daughter started flying that’s when I understood that it wasn’t just for a career. I wish you good luck and congratulations!

[@hollywoodf0rzo]

Congrats, just passed mine out of KLNA

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Bravo! 👏👏👏 KLNA is not an easy airspace either.

[@RezaOLine]

Such a cool intro.. how do you make it..??

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Premiere Pro. Thanks.

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

So inspiring. 1-2 flights a month and here I am complaining that my cfi won't fly more than once a week. ha

[@bwagenberg]

Can we see your water skiing videos?

[@MichaelLloyd]

Just checking in. All is well I hope. Have you done any flying lately?

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I have! Flew to Marathon in the Keys, Bartow, Naples. My GoPro is not recording audio and it's very frustrating. Been troubleshooting the last 5 flights!

[@MichaelLloyd]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Fun trips though! Josh Flowers at Aviation 101 just posted about losing hours of audio. It had something to do with the audio cable that connects to the camera. Making good videos for YT "ain't for sissies" that's for sure. I'm glad to hear that you are flying.

[@bml33]

Congrats! Love the animations, you must work in some kind of creative type of job to have put that much effort into it? You were a competitive skier for 30 years??? No way, unless you started skiing at age 3. ;)

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I do work in digital media and love creating videos. They are a lot of work. I wish I could publish videos more often. Thanks for watching. I’m no spring chicken. I’ve actually water skied all my life. Which is over 50 years. 😊

[@bml33]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Then we're about the same age :) I've had the flying bug probably a little longer than you and have flown in a few private planes with people I know but never had lessons. The last time, maybe 5 years ago, I went up with a local guy who showed me how to do a coordinated turn....said I did pretty good for someone with no experience & he thought I'd do well if I took "official" lessons. I still hope to do what you've done someday. Flying has captivated me since flying on a jet with my parents as a kid.

[@FlyersDistrict]

👍👍👍 nice

[@harry5515]

Hi Laurie are you still at Pompano. Im 9635Q in front of Tower> Would be nice to go Flying.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Yes, still flying around Pompano.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Just saw you. I was in the blue Cirrus! 😊

[@jamesrose9114]

Hello Laurie! Hope you are well => looking forward to more posts?

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Hope so. Takes a lot of time and GOPRO cooperation.

[@hawklerfalco9067]

Wonderful video, and congratulate. Hope can get the same.

[@sigbauer9782]

you know this is funny, because when I was going through my divorce, right before we settled, I decided to become a professional pilot! hell, we even did it in the same year! LOL

[@InTheFlightLevels]

Congratulations!

[@sgpilot7650]

Congratulations!