For those of you who have been out of the loop, I have taken a job in Vero Beach, FL. This is located on the Atlantic Ocean between West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach. I am flight instructing at a flight school named Flight Safety Academy. So far, I'm absolutely loving my job, although this comes with cautious optimism as I recall saying to a colleague on my first day of teaching kindergarten: "I can't believe we're getting paid for this." We all know how that ended(note: I'm not teaching kindergarten anymore).
Just this morning, I was sitting in an aircraft at 7:15, taxiing to the runway with my student, when I recalled where I would have been at that moment if I were still school teaching. I have to say, I couldn't be happier with my decision to venture back into the field of aviation. Now, that's not to say anything against what school teachers do....it takes a real special person to do what they do, I just wasn't one of 'em.
What makes me most proud of what I'm doing, is knowing that I'm following in the footsteps of people that I hold in the highest regard. People who taught me how to fly. Notably, André Fairbanks and Ken Johnson. Without these two, there's no doubt I wouldn't be where I am today. André for molding me into the pilot I am now, and Ken for roping me back into the profession. This, however, pales in comparison to the type of friends these two have been to me. If I could only have the influence on a single pilot that they have had on me, my flying career would be a complete success.
I'll never forget the time André and I went to Hooters for lunch (like I said, some things never change(inside joke(see also: facebook))) the day of my instrument checkride, and he put a Hooters sticker on my headset, like I'd actually wear that on a check-ride with his best-buddy Walt (note: they're not really buddies (In fact, Walt hated him)). For whatever reason, Walt liked me (hey, I'm a likable guy!), which I found out to be a rarity around Flint Air, so I decided to ride that wave as long as I could. I promise, I'll cut it out with the parenthesis.
Welp, I think that's enough for the first time back. I don't want to over exert myself on the first post. In closing, I want to say to all my friends, come and visit me! It's sun and fun all the time down here. I'll even pick you up at the airport! Make your winter vacation plans now. Vero Beach!
-Cush
Here's me in my new uniform outside my apartment. Like I said, sunny all the time. Come and see me!
