dave donovan dot org

After two years of arduous and costly training and the last several months of fighting with weather, schedule coordination, finances, instructors, and paperwork, I finally completed my checkride Tuesday and am now a licensed private pilot.

After putting in a half day at work from 6:30-10:30 Tuesday morning, I went to the airport to have my fate decided.  It lasted from 11:00a until 4:00p and was by far the most grueling, stressful examination of my life.  I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. 

The physical and mental exhaustion I felt on Tuesday eventually gave way to the elation that comes with the accomplishment of being among that most rarified group of people who are licensed to fly.