Finding Passion in a Man’s World

One part of earning a pilot’s license that I haven’t expanded on yet in our rather weekly updates is all the textbooks.  For every hour of flight time, there are at least three hours of putting your nose to the books.  It’s not nearly as exciting reading about the way engines work as it is checking out the scenery and houses from inside a plane.  Aren’t the least exciting things always the most important, though?  

ground school

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of studying my primary book, appropriately called Private Pilot Manual, is the stories about great men – and a few women! – in aviation.  I’ve had a couple of books on my wish list for some years; now I’d love to get my hands on West with the Night and Flying High: Pioneer Women in American Aviation.  There’s something invigorating about seeing little blips in my textbook about women overcoming obstacles.  As women, we’re constantly facing obstacles.  We feel like we have to create perfect homes, happy families, and great careers.  We put so much on ourselves and often fail to achieve our greatest desires sometimes.  

Aviation has always been so male dominated, and naturally so.  Martin naturally flocks to the dining table when he sees my textbook open.  He’s just waiting for me to ask about pistons and oil.  Meanwhile, before I started thinking of the empowerment aviation offers women, I thought nothing of all the aviation manuals and books we often lug from home to home.  I just watched the little oil sticker on our car for the next oil change because it just wasn’t my thing.

airplane-engine

Do you ever find yourself so moved that you can hardly sit still?  When you know you’re doing something so very rare – maybe not for all women, but something rare for yourself – how do you work to contain your enthusiasm and keep from jumping up and down and waving hysterically?

Since the day I met Martin, he has always looked toward the sky any time he heard a plane fly by.  It never mattered what it was, even if it was the same Delta flight that came in every day at the exact same time.  He always looked up.  I never really got it.  Now I’m starting to.  Aviation isn’t just his thing any more.  We never thought this would be something we could share like we do today.

Yes, I’m still battling with motion sickness.  It’s something that I’ll always have to deal with.  (Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions, by the way!)  It’s worth the fight.  Look at this quote by Leonardo da Vinci from his book, On Flight of Birds:

For once you have tasted flight,
You will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward;
For there you have been,
And there you long to return.

And in case I want a little casual airplane reading, Martin has also supplied me with one of his all-time favorite childhood books:

childhood german book

Only problem?  He didn’t know English back then; it’s in German.

Have you ever noticed that the things that are supposed to relax you really end up being just as much work as your actual work?