If you live in a part of the country where winter is dark and icy, the first signs of spring bring rich promises of warmer days, colorful blooms, and the chance to go flying without preheating the engine or deicing the wings.
This is my favorite time of year, not only because of longer, warmer days, but also because it marks the beginning of a period that only pilots can truly appreciate—flying season. That’s when airshows and expos begin popping up around the country, coaxing hibernating pilots to get back in the cockpit and spend a few days among friends and airplanes.
This year, it seems, flying season got off to a quick start. I’ve already enjoyed the Light Sport Aircraft show in Sebring, Florida, followed by a wonderful, if too brief, visit to the “out islands” of the Bahamas by general aviation. I’ve had the chance to marvel at the latest rotor-wing aircraft during the Helicopter Association International show in Dallas, and spent a few days at the always well-attended Northwest Aviation Conference in Washington state. While there, I also spent some time with members of the Washington Seaplane Pilots Association.
A little further afield, I was pleased to accept an invitation to the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2012 in the United Arab Emirates, where our AOPA delegation was fortunate to be hosted by the event organizers. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm GA is generating in Abu Dhabi and around the Middle East. During that trip I also had the privilege of welcoming the Emirates as the newest member of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations, bringing our total membership to 70 countries worldwide.
And all this before Sun ’n Fun!
In some ways, I must admit, I still think of my visit to Lakeland, Florida, for Sun ’n Fun as the real start of the flying season, and I hope you were able to go.
Everywhere I go, I’m seeing a sense of optimism that’s been missing for the past few years. And, as happens whenever pilots gather, talk soon turns to the next flying adventure we have planned.
I hope that you’ll embark on some aviation adventures during this flying season. I’ve talked a lot about our efforts to improve the flight training experience in these pages. And we’ve recently added a new tool that you, as a student pilot, can use to take control of your flying experience—and prepare for an adventure or two.
We call it MyFlightTraining, and it’s available online. The website provides you with personalized information, expert advice, and rewards for achieving milestones such as first solo or first cross-country. You also get access to AOPA’s team of aviation experts in our Pilot Information Center. It’s all free and you don’t have to be an AOPA member to participate—so give it a try and invite your fellow students to join you.
Then make plans to be at one of the many wonderful flying events happening nationwide in the next few months.
Grab an instructor and a few fellow students and embark on an adventure you’ll never forget.
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