When I first started flying I was a young man with a lot of life in front of me. It was 1985 and I was training on Cessna 172’s at the Calgary Flying Club. Like most young men I had grandiose ideas. I envisioned the fast and exciting aircraft I would fly and the exotic locales I would venture off to. But first I just had to finish my Private Pilot Licence. Shouldn’t take too long…right? Well, I flew on and off, as I could afford it, between 1985 and 1988. (Has aviation ever been affordable?) Along the way I flew with several instructors, as they were changing all the time, and few remained at the club for very long. I had successfully completed all of the training exercises including my Dual and Solo Cross-country flights and was brushing up for my Flight Test and prepping for my Written Exam, when I made a terrible mistake. One that I would regret for years to come! I decided to take a “short break” to focus on a few other areas in my life and to earn the rest of the money to finish my training. Well the plan of taking 6 months off somehow evolved into 30 years!

A lot of life happened along the way! I took a job out of town where I met my future Wife and suddenly its several years later and I have three kids. Raising a young family, I knew flying would have to wait. During that time, I read every flying magazine I could find and slowly my selections migrated to Kitplanes and other similar publications. The more I learned of Homebuilts and Ultralights the more I became fascinated with them. I considered this to be the most feasible option in hobby aviation for me in the future. I even popped out to Indus on the odd occasion during the mid-90’s to bum around the airport and talk to whoever was there about their aircraft.

Fast forward to 2010, at the encouragement of my very supportive family, I decided to start attending a few meetings of local aviation clubs. I joined the RAA, EAA and eventually CRUFC. Of all three, I found CRUFC to be the most fun and enjoyable, great down to earth guys and a relaxing atmosphere. Around then I started training with Wayne Winters in his Merlin and did a few hours. I really enjoyed flying with Wayne, great instructor, but soon my business would be in decline and requiring my time and money, so flying was off the menu again.

It’s never too late until it’s too late. This winter, I was starting to feel a sense of expediency that if I was going to enjoy the aviation hobby I better get started now, before I wake up one day to find that I’ve missed my window. Its time and I’m determined to pursue my aviation dreams to realization, especially now that I’m playing the “back nine” of my life.

Finding a place near Calgary to train for an Ultralight Permit in 2018 proved to be more of a daunting task than I had anticipated. There are a handful of good local Pilots with Ultralight Instructor ratings, but none could offer the two things necessary. Firstly, the ability to solo in their aircraft to complete the Permit requirements and secondly the opportunity for post-permit rentals, to stay current until I have a flying aircraft of my own. I do understand their position though. As one put it “it’s like loaning your wife”, so it’s not lost on me.

After some searching, I came upon Snowbird Aviation in Westlock, Alberta. This appeared to have all the right elements:

• The Owner. Dan Pandur is a super guy. Very knowledgeable as he’s been flying, building and repairing numerous types of ultralights and 2-stroke engines since the infancy of the ultralight movement. He was involved in Bushmaster aircraft going back to the mid-1980’s. He’s a real “go to” guy and mentor, much like Wayne Winters is here. (See picture of Dan presenting my wings. No, it’s not an optical illusion; there really is that much disparity in our heights.)
• The Aircraft. It was wonderful. The Bushmaster I trained on was a 1985 model but seems to be in great, well-maintained condition, despite being an often flown, 33-year-old ultralight. That’s saying something. I spoke with Stu Simpson to solicit his opinion on the Bushmaster and its flying characteristics, being that he once owned one, as many will remember the “Green Giant”. He had many positive things to say all of which bore out to be true when I started flying it. Very pleasant, well-mannered and forgiving little aircraft to learn on.
• The instructor. Since Dan Pandur has retired from instructing, he now has a great guy in structing for him, Dan Blackburn. He is a District Chief with the Fire Department in Edmonton and instructs in his spare time. For such an important day job, he’s actually a very humble sort with a friendly and easy-going demeanor and calm nature. A very competent instructor but also a fun guy to fly with. It was great learning from him. I hope to do some review flights with him in the future to stay sharp and on the right path.
• The Airport. Great place to go for training, quiet airport but nice paved runway. The downside, four hours from Calgary!

I was fortunate to start my flight training in March as the aircraft was on skis as such; my first three hours were on skis in snow. (see picture) This convinced me that I will definitely want skis for my aircraft in the future.

As we moved into April the aircraft and I were both switched to wheels. Did landings both on grass as well as pavement. After some training flights I wrote my PSTAR then First Soloed for the second time in my life on April 28, 2018. Only 31 years after my first First Solo on July 25, 1987.

It’s amazing how much you remember from flight training years ago, in terms of both thought processes and physical coordination/muscle memory. Fortunately, I was able to proceed through the training exercises fairly quickly. Upon completion of the flight training, I was approved to write the Transport Canada exam but had to postpone it in May due to an interruption, an unexpected side trip to Florida… more on that later.

Woohoo!

Having completed my permit I’ve since traveled back to Westlock to rent the aircraft to do circuits as I have vowed that I will stay current until I have my own flying ircraft. It’s a bit of a drive, 8 hours round trip, for an hour or two of flying. If you are truly passionate about flying, you do what it takes to make it a reality. To me it’s worth it. Two of the pictures included here were taken at the Calgary flying club. (pardon the Captain Morgan pose) One holding my First Solo proclamation certificate and the other holding the results of my Transport Canada Ultra Exam.

Those two guys in the pictures are divided by many years, a wife, 3 kids, a few gray hairs and a few extra pounds. Essentially, “bookmarks” at opposite ends of my aviation journey, thus far. I think it’s the same picnic bench … it’s graying too.

For you CRUFC members who are still on the sidelines, not flying and/or building yet. Resolve to take that first step toward making this year, YOUR year to get going. After all, next year you will be another year older whether you do so or not. I’m glad I did.

Of course I don’t view this Permit as a conclusion. On the contrary, it’s only the beginning. The beginning of learning the skills and lessons that only flying experience can provide. The beginning of many flights, trips and memories to be made. I may only be practicing circuits or cruising at 80 MPH, to nearby locales within a one tank range for now, but I’m very happy with that. It’s an exciting new chapter and I feel like that 21-year-old kid again!