Swayne Martin

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

Swayne Martin

My name is Swayne Martin; I am a sophomore in High School.

Ever since I was little I have been surrounded by aviation. Over the years, I developed a real passion for it, being fortunate enough to go to some pretty cool places around the world and really experience flight. Just recently, I decided to do something with my passion. Today, (December 28, 2012) I took my first flight lesson and really enjoyed it. It is an amazing feeling learning how to fly a plane. After flying so many times commercially around the world to places like France, Alaska, Mexico, and Korea this summer, it was really amazing to be the person actually piloting the aircraft. My ambitions are great, hopefully one day I will be in a position to turn flying into a career.

Today was really a turning point in my life. I took my first flight lesson, being fortunate enough to have the experience of piloting a Tecnam Sierra around my city for an hour. It was the first time I have really piloted an aircraft. It was an amazing feeling for me; I can’t wait to get started on my PPL!

Flying in a commercial plane as a passenger is one thing, but being in control of the aircraft feels so much more special. It has become such commonplace for people to fly off to destinations around the world. Sitting in that little Sierra, I thought about what people would have given 110+ years ago to have this chance. Flying only a few thousand feet above the ground doesn’t seem like much by our standards today. Obviously to people long ago, it would’ve been life changing.

I felt so calm being up there,

and cherished every moment of it.

My favorite part was definitely learning how to do 90 degree banking turns. Today we went over climbing + descending with a specific speed and set altitude, turning to a heading accurately, level turns, and steep turns without loosing/gaining altitude. The instructor told me towards the end that I was the PIC for over 90% of the time. He really only did the takeoff and landing. Today, I affirmed my passion for aviation and am proud to say that I can’t wait to make my own path as a pilot. I’m in it for the journey, not just the end goal. Most people from my private school end up being doctors, lawyers, or businessmen (all honorable professions)—often staying in our home city. For me, I just can’t live that way. I love travel, exploring, meeting different people, and seeing new parts of the world. One of my biggest goals is this:

“I want to be an old man, sitting in a rocking chair,

never being able to tell the same story twice.”

As you can see from many of the pictures, beginning when I was a little boy, I developed a real passion for aviation. Family members, especially my grandfathers (Pop and GP), who passed the passion on to me, surrounded me. I feel lucky that I grew up in such a warm aviation filled environment.

A family friend of mine (who flies a Gulfstream IV) predicted that after I took my first lesson--I would be hooked and it would all be over (in the sense that I would go after becoming a pilot as a career, with no turning back). I can’t deny that this very thing happened to me today. In general I try my hardest to live my life without regrets. I know for a fact that if I do not at least give flying a shot—I will regret it forever.

If you have ever had an interest in flying--I highly encourage you go out and spend the $50-$100 necessary to take an intro flight. It’ll be worth the time and money. You will not regret it!

Please Join me on my blog: From Private to Professional Pilot

You can also find Swayne on Twitter
at @MartinsAviation

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

--Leonardo da Vinci

Swayne, Thank you for sharing your passion with us. I know that we will all follow your blog. We are the wind beneath your wings...and together we can fly.

And for everyone else, we'll see you Monday for a little Motivation and the challenges that Swayne has faced by those who disbelieve.

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene