Why YOU NEED to get your Pilot License 

This is so beautifully told. Life changing indeed. Congratulations!

Great stuff man - this brought back a lot of “the feels” from the challenging early training days, and trying to figure out how to finance the dream.

We're so fortunate to have someone with your storytelling skills promote GA. Thank you.

Well done. I got my PPL two years ago at the age of 70 and moved from a Piper 140 to a high performance Piper 6/300 a year ago and I've never looked back.

You really can tell that this is your job. The little things like "mid life crisis" magazine. Brilliant video!

I ❤ this! I stopped flying back in the early 2000's after getting my license. Nearly 20 years later, I'm exploring my options to get back into flying.

After dreaming about it for a couple of decades, I got my pilot license in 2003. I rented a plane a few times after that but life happened; got married, bought a house, had several bouts of unemployment, the usual. I didn't have my first bi-annual flight review... until November 2020. I had wanted for some time to get back in the air, but wasn't sure what type of flying I really wanted to do. I had considered something more basic, like a powered parachute or an ultralight, for example. But earlier in 2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was released. I had been looking forward to it very much and it didn't disappoint. The sense of realism created by their use of real mapping and photography data was a quantum leap beyond that offered by competitors such as X-Plane. I had played with flight simulators for a long time; now I was actually *using* one. It rekindled my desire to fly, and to fly the way I had been. I went back to the same flight school and got current again. Like you, I was flying one of the same planes I had done my training in all those years ago. It had been significantly improved, of course. After that, I figured I'd rent for a couple years and then possibly buy my own aircraft, but fate had something else in mind. I was quickly reminded of the biggest disadvantage to renting which is that the plane you want is never available when you want it. So, as one does, I started looking around the usual sites to see what was available. I was mostly dreaming at first, but it turned out that I had some stock that I could sell and that I could actually afford a plane. And that's what I did. I was fortunate to find a plane that was right for my mission for sale at my home airport. I bought it in January of last year and, since then, I've more than doubled my total time. And, perhaps most importantly, I've taken my father flying in my own airplane. I don't really have much of a "bucket list" but that was certainly on it.

This is so relatable! I got my license right after becoming a vet, but then did a residency, got married, and had kids. I'll get back up there someday soon, but I don't regret a minute I've spent working on it! Thanks for posting this!

Just looked through my logbook, and I have four flights logged in N19688 from when I started at Vista back in 2000. Very similar (and I'm finding common) story here, as I didn't end up getting my certificate until 2012.

Awesome video and message Eric! I got my PPL in 1981 at the age of 18. Went to college, got married, and then focused on raising my family and starting a business. 35+ years later, I woke up one day and remembered I was a pilot! I took sent my $2 to the FAA and got a new plastic license, passed my 3rd class medical, and got some instruction and passed my biannual at the age of 56 years old. I went ahead and got my IR and Commercial Certificate and have never looked back! I had a 37 year break from flying and I am SO glad I got back into it. I never stopped looking up when an airplane was overhead. You either have got the bug or you don't. But if you have it, you need to embrace it and go for it! It ain't going away! Congratulations and keep the great videos coming.

This is why I want to get my pilot's license.

That's so cool they still had the same airplane after 15 years. Can't imagine the feeling.

This is a great story! Very inspirational. My friend "Granny Annie" got her pilot's license in 1956, partly to prove a point to her husband who was a Sabre Jet pilot. One of the planes she trained in, an Aeronca Champ, is still flying in Ontario. I take her flying with me any chance I get, and she loves the flying stories. She will be 90 next year. She's my inspiration.

I started in 1999, too - and finished up and got my ppl. Got 50 hours in and then sat on the sidelines for 20 years until last year. After watching many RU-vid videos, including yours, I finally contacted an instructor, flew with him for about 10 hours and have gotten 60+ hours since then. Most of which are trips around Texas with my wife. I also got to fly with my 20 year old son - something I have been dreaming about for his entire life. Thanks for these awesome videos! PS - the 172 I trained in in Dallas is now in Phoenix. Still training new pilots!

This is awesome Eric ! You’re so good at what you do!

Got PPL in high school (1974). While in HS (they had own flight school and 4 PA-28-140, and a Cessna 310). Passed Instrument written and was ready for instrument check ride. Decided to take multi-engine and instrument check ride together (stupid idea in retrospect). On ILS approach at minimums, CR pulled an engine at minimums, and declared that I should go around. I said "no, field in sight, plane configured for landing, and stable. A Cessna 310 flies like a feathered brick on a hot day." He failed me. I flew a little bit after that, but money, college, family and life got in the way. Looking to possibly fly again as I approach retirement.

Hello, I soloed in 688 in1992. Although I didn’t finish my ticket, (kids were 3 and 5 years old), my oldest surprised me with a flight in July 2020, at Vista, which is when I found out he was taking lessons and ended up receiving his ticket in June 2020.

Great story! Old aviator here, king KX -170 isn’t a coffee grinder. Coffee grinder radios you had to pull out a knob called BFO which stands for best frequency oscillator, there would be a tone and you turned a crank on the face of the radio until the tone peaked out , then punch the knob back in and it was tuned. They were old and outdated when I started flying but lots of airplanes kept them as a backup. The FCC changed the rules and they split the frequencies and the old radios would bleed over to adjacent frequencies so they became illegal to repair.

Connecting the other aviation RU-vidrs on your video was purely a touch of class and magic!

Wow..very well done! Excellent story telling! Great job as always! Thank you for including my channel in the video!

Thank you for posting this. I'm 50 years old and just resumed my ground school training after taking a 20 year break for family and career. Your video really hit-home, and inspired me to keep at-it.

Very inspirational! Thank you for creating this video!

Awesome story!! Thanks for sharing. Love your channel

Great job congratulations! Life changing for sure and for the better!

Incredible video, always enjoy watching your work!

This was so well done, a lot of time and effort goes into your videos and it shows.

Hi man! Thanks for share your story. So beautiful! You are one of my inspiration!

Always love seeing new videos from you in my subscriptions box ! :)

Love the new video! The way you tell your story is so well done. Every video is told so well.

Amazing video, congratulations!

Great story, well told, that part about the first solo, the breaks, family and work commitments… all very relatable, really hits home. Lol.

congratulations wow! That is a life changing thing to get! You truly worked hard for it!

Outstanding my friend!!

Awesome video telling your story, Thanks for sharing it with all us.

What a video! great production keep it going, wish you the best!

Eric, again a great Video of yours! Enjoying every single one of them. Love the way you tell the stories to your community! Keep it up! Greetings from Germany!

I got a backseatflight at my flight school. Now im saving up to actually try to get my ppl.

Wow, what a great production! Absolutely loved every second of it!

All your videos are awesome, but this one is my favorite! Thanks for being an inspiration!

Inspirational video, thank you!

one of the nicest and most genuine guys out there!!

You had me rolling with the Friedrich/Frederick part. 😂 Great video, glad you’re here doing what you do and sharing it!

That was truly a beautiful video man! You have a gift! Which you clearly know. I love the shoutout to the other Aviator/Creators!!

What an amazing story of your aviation journey. Mine has only just begun!! Thank you for sharing, it made the wife and me a little bit emotional. Beautiful video, can't wait for the next. P.S. It was cool to see a lot of the channels I follow get credits at the end.

Just about to take my checkride. Amazing channel, amazing content, and this is inspiring me to take many journeys of my own as I progress through the ratings. Thank you.

WHAT AN AMAZING STORY!! LOVE THE STORYTELLING, THE PLACES AND THE IMAGES!! 😍😍 Keep it up!

Emotions (I love, love, love flying) aside, this is an amazing video. Thank you for promoting flying and pushing me ever closer to actualy doing it. This is amazing.

I LOVE your storytimes!

Thanks for sharing this - it's very inspirational.

Eric, you are a blessing to General Aviation. Well done!

Well done sir! You raise the bar not only for aviation content, but all content!

Your channel was one of the reason's we got our lance. Thanks for the great content. Would love to fly sometime!

Oh wow, what a high quality video and love the way your family is involved. My road to aviation is similar...had to wait to take care of all life's responsibilities...and now is my time...almost 200hrs and loving each minute.

It is awesome the way you involve your daughters in your video production. It looks like they are having a blast with some quality dad time.

Amazing video! Lovely story!

I'm a few hours away from my check ride, I already have a plane that I fly occasionaly with my instructor. The weather is pretty crappy here in Canada, so the suspense is killing me! Thanks for the inspiration, hopefully more people will get on board!

I’ve had my I want to fly moment, it’s been out or reach, for now, definitely on my bucket list. Great video. 👍🏼

I think that a lot of our stories are similar. I just sent in my entry and I too am documenting my journey here on RU-vid. I am hoping that I can eventually ease my wife's nerves the way that you did yours. Thanks for the great videos!

Amazing stuff! Loved this video! I’m almost to checkride date. Crossing my fingers 🤞🏻

Awsome video! Very inspiring. I've been dreaming about flying since my time as an Avionics Tech, but I keep putting it off. I still love watching your videos!

Really good video. All your sentiments resonate deeply with me. I too learned in the LA Basin and loved every minute of it. Years later, and I am now building my own RV-14 and own my own airstrip. The community is something you just have to experience, and you among all the other aviators on RU-vid you mentioned have had your impact. Thanks for what you do!

Very , very inspirational video, wanting to get my PPL since I graduated from college but never really had the resources, now I feel like it might be too late at 54, but I’m still not giving up my dream, if I would had been able to do it then I would had done it, but instead I end up with an automotive degree, and even till this day I still like to one day be able to have my dream come true, I think watching you’re video just made me realize that is now or never, I rather say, I try and I couldn’t or failed than wishing I should had and never did, thanks so much, I think is never too late , I think you just gave the little push I needed to decide and go take a discovery fly as soon as I can possibly can, will keep you posted and I really, really hope to hear from you for any pointers , again thanks so much for such motivational video, happy flying !!!!

You have become my favorite RU-vidr of all time! I become so happy every time I get recommended a new video from you! And i think that cessna did indeed wait on you! :D

This was the video that led me to discover your channel. What a beautifully told story. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

Excellent storytelling and cinematography. Have me hooked and now it's time to binge and catch up on all your videos!

Wow, thank you for an amazing video, and for showing the opportunites that flying has given you. Brilliant :)

Loved every part of this video. Subscribed. Recently had my introductory flight.

Super impressed what you’ve been able to do since 2014. Life happened to me in ‘98. I started back up last year and will solo this month. Once I get passed the jealousy while watching your videos I really enjoy them and they inspire me. Total hits home since you’re a ginger brother as well! Thanks for all you do for the aviation field and those that are following your footsteps.

Inspiration, Generosity, passion and happiness all in one great video!! ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thank you so much for sharing this with us

Beautifully made video, wasn’t expecting it to be this cinematic but I’m glad it is

Man, I had the exact same story! Started primary in 2003, then life got in the way, flight bag sitting in storage getting dusty. Then one day it hit... it's time to fly! Didn't get to use the same plane but looking in the log book everything was ready, but decided to re-do all the XC just to be safe. Now here I am with my PPL thinking about the next place to fly to!

Wow, really well done! Thanks for using your talents in cinema to use for aviation.

Great content, sir! It’s clear you are a cinematographer because your videos are multiple levels above many others! Additionally, your content and messaging is also in another class! Keep up the great work!

Several youtubers, including your channel helped me make the decision to do my Discovery flight. I was completely surprised how claming yet stressful it was. I'll likely move forward with the entire process next year as much as I'd like to do it this year but aviation is forever =)

Oh WOW, your video's are top class. Can't wait for the next one.

Took me 12 years… but I persevered! Onwards and upwards!

I totally enjoyed your story. Congratulations and keep the videos coming!

Great to see you use your film-maker talents to make a mini-feature!

Awesome video!! Love the humor too!

What a great video. I’m a grip and I’ve been trying to get my license for about 4 years now. It’s been a rough journey and now I’m struggling to get my medical. Video’s like this inspire me to keep pushing towards my goal. Thank you.

Soooooo true! I finished my requirements but life (wife, daughter, work, buying a home) has postponed my check ride twice. Its a difference when you're a family man with a career than a young single person beginning their training. Thanks for sharing and giving me inspiration to finish the job.

Great story. I especially like how your family stays the center of your life and aviation has complimented and even brought you closer. Should you ever consider exploring the sky's and sight of SE Asia, I'd be happy to help you out.

I've been following your adventures for a while now. This video definitely hit at the right time! Thanks for sharing.

Really cool video, this is what aviation is all about !

Really great content, and such a nice touch to loop in so many other aviation content creators that we're all so familiar with and appreciate so much. Thank you.

Love this style of storytelling man! Discovered your channel recently and have been binging your content - it's SO good

I’m right there with you… started flying in ‘91, didn’t go far. 2000s came around, and I wanted to start again, but got married, two kids and got distracted again. I’m doing it now… I’ve solo’ed and am practicing for my practical and starting to study for the written while also stating to shop for my first airplane. Hoping to get it all done in time for the summer… and maybe, someday, I’ll get the family to come along with me. You and the channels you mentioned have been a part of my journey back to aviation.

Great video! I let life get in the way and never finished my private license. My wife always encouraged me. But ... you now the story. I'm happy you followed your dream. Fight on!

I have similar situation I’ve soloed 1974 and have stoped for the same reasons now I’m going back to flying , great story very well told

Greetings from Nepal. Such a beautiful video. Im really excited for my helicopter training from May at Hawaii. Your video boosts up my energy level.

I am a private pilot just started transition training in my Beechcraft debonair. I love the speed and that I don’t have to schedule the plane to fly it. Great video brought back memories. After I get used to my plane I am planning on getting my instrument rating.

That is the coolest encouragement to obtain my pilot license I have ever seen. Thank you brother. Currently, studying for my FAA written test sometime next year. I have been up three times. And loved it. I'm going up again in the next few weeks for a Chicago skyline tour. One of my goal is to fly downtown by myself. And my second goal is to become an CFI.

AWESOME VIDEO! im going to try and get my license within the next couple of years and I cannot wait to see what kind of adventures are on the other side!

Awesome video, very inspiring! Thanks for making these videos!

I totally agree. Aviation is the ultimate symbiosis between nature and technology, which makes it so interesting. During flight training, I discovered that you can learn so much, even things about yourself, that I think everyone should at least have the possibility to try some of it. Unfortunately, flight training is quite expensive here in Europe 😔

Great storytelling Eric! Could not have told it any better myself. Once you get flying in your blood, it never leaves. Excellent video!

Man!!!!! Another great video!!! We have some similarities. I got my PPL just after my first kid. I still fly for fun but only when I have the money. I get discouraged when I see guys on RU-vid flying and and advancing while I got my PPL way before them. Your videos and theirs too keeps me going till I can fly again 😅

Been a beautiful journey from the early days of this channel and to see you and the family grow so much in the community, your passion and closeness really shines through I myself am 4 hours roughly from soloing and yes I’ve noticed you have the grey hoodie ;) I’ll be ordering soon

So feel this one. Passed my written last night, just have some instrument and a few more night landings before I start checkride prep. But I was similar in that I put the dream on hold for a long time while the kids grew up and went back to it last year. So very glad I did, I'm having the time of my life flying.

It really does. Hopefully I will get it soon. Congrats.