Debrief /

WHO: Morgan Hoffmann, professional golfer
AGE: 26
HOURS: 300
RATINGS: Private pilot certificate, instrument student

EXTRA: "I got lucky enough to know Arnie [Palmer] over the years and we talked a lot about aviation. He worked up from a Cessna 152 to flying Gulfstream G5s. It's really an inspiration for me to hear that."

When Morgan Hoffmann's aviation-minded family moved from New Jersey to Florida, the aspiring young golfer met aspiring National Hockey League player Dave Booth in high school and they quickly became best friends. Booth earned his private pilot certificate and purchased a well-equipped Piper Lance and invited Hoffmann into the right seat for frequent jaunts around Florida. Booth played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is now a free agent. Hoffmann has started to make his mark on the PGA Tour and is sponsored by Breitling. "Dave gave me a great deal on the airplane. He was moving up to a Piper Malibu and said, Do you want the Lance? After flying with Dave I knew the airplane so well I couldn't pass it up," Hoffmann says.

GETTING STARTED…I started in ground school at Oklahoma State five years ago, so I've been working on it since college. Most of my family is in aviation. Dad got his license when he was young and Mom is a Delta flight attendant. My uncle flew a C-5 Galaxy so I just love it. I always wanted to learn how to fly; it's just another way to experience freedom.

EARLY CHALLENGES…I trained a lot in crosswinds and there's always wind gusts on landings [in Jupiter]. The biggest key for me, flying VFR, is that you have to know your altitude and stay clear of clouds.

FAVORITE AIRPLANE…My dream airplane is a Gulfstream G5 but a Piper M600 is really cool too.

GOALS…I am a private pilot now but close to my instrument rating. I want to eventually fly jets so I am going to continue working on my ratings, logging under-the-hood hours. My next goal is to be certified and ready to fly a Pilatus PC-12.

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS…Log onto aviation weather sites and look at sigmets, but don't forget pireps [pilot reports] to get a better handle on the weather because it's crucial to be fully prepared. Knowing all the weather and seeing it from other pilots' perspectives has really helped me become a better pilot.