Where/How did you get your Start in Aviation?

I worked in the automotive industry but saw the writing on the wall early enough to realize that my company would be going down the tubes. I spend ten years working all over the country in assembly plants, at twenty seven my wife and I decided that I should go and do something fun for a living. I finished my commercial just before 9/11 and was lucky enough to find a cfi job at the school I had attended.
 
I always wanted to fly. Took an intro flight when I was probably 14-15. Loved it, but basically decided at that time I wanted to focus on school and extra-circulars. Got done with high school, went to college to study aviation. Transfered once, flew lots of different places, with different schools. Graduated from college in December, got lucky, found an awesome job, and now I'm learning to fly airships.
 
Every summer, my parents would take me to Hawaii to see grandparents, so I always loved to fly. I didn't give a thought to it after growing up until I got to college. I was 4 years into a 5 year music degree when I had the hots for one of my music professors - who had his private pilot's license. He said he'd help me study if I wanted to learn how to fly.

I taught high school band for one semester after graduating, then re-enrolled in school to get the aviation degree. The rest is history!
 
I knocked my wife (girlfriend at the time) up at the age of 19.

Drinking, playing Golden Eye all day and delivering pizzas wasn't exactly the best way to start a career so after looking around at career opportunities for a couple hours I decided flying would be pretty cool.
 
My dad, an Air Force chaplain and former Marine A-6 B/N would take me to the flight line and watch airplanes. Iwas hooked: built model airplanes, studied all kinds of airplane books (mostly military). Saw The Final Countdown when I was 9 years old (remember? Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, the carrier Nimitz goes back in time to Dec 6, 1941). That sealed the deal for me and Naval Aviation. Unfortunately my asthma disqualified me from any DOD flying. So I set my eyes on mission aviation; flying small airplanes in and out of the remote parts of Africa or South America. I went to college to get my pilot ratings and mechanic licenses. I got a job as pilot/mechanic at a 135 carrier in Alaska and met my wife. She wasn't as excited about raising a family in a third world country as I was so we came up with another plan. After two years dropping fruit flies over Los Angeles and seven years at SkyWest, we're home in Alaska and I'm loving life as an airline pilot!
 
Never had an interest in flying. I thought planes were kind of cool flying over my house in NYC. About 10 years ago my house mate bet me $50 that I couldn't fly a plane after a good night of spirits. 10 years later I'm an airline pilot. Yes he paid me my $50. I fell in love after my intro flight.
 
Soul Brotha' said:
Never had an interest in flying. I thought planes were kind of cool flying over my house in NYC. About 10 years ago my house mate bet me $50 that I couldn't fly a plane after a good night of spirits. 10 years later I'm an airline pilot. Yes he paid me my $50. I fell in love after my intro flight.
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That's kinda how it happened to me as well. Except no bet and no alcohol.

Ok so it wasn't too much like that. I was talking to my buddy whose father is an airline pilot and we started talking about flying and he goes: I think I'm gonna get a license

So I go: Dude me too. 1 month later I had a medical and an intro flight. 6 months later after dealing with the TSA I was a private pilot



He backed out but I don't care, I wouldn't change a thing. Flying is a way of life
 
Awesome thread! Although I am not a pro pilot I'll toss my adventure in. I have always wanted to fly - below is how I finally took that step!

About 14 years ago I was working a part - time afternoon job. I went to grab a bite to eat before starting work and noticed in big bold letters in the headlines of a local newspaper: PILOTS WANTED! ....... go ahead LOL. Article went on to talk about attrition and all that good stuff. Took my first lesson about one week after reading that. I now hold a PPL and a few hundred hours.

From Emus post:

"Its really a shame that the cockpit visit has come to an end. That being said, I have noticed that kids nowadays show absolutely zero interest when passing by before or after a flight."

Yeah it is a shame. Although I dont travel much, I still, as a grown man go straight to the cockpit and look around like a lil kid. I really enjoy chatting with the pilots. I have 2 boys and I make an effort each time to make sure they get to see whats going on up there. All the pilots in the front welcome us with open arms and some have even taken the time to let my boys sit in the left seat and get some photos!

I too still look up when planes pass over. Good times! Stay safe out there all!
 
Started flying when I was 16 and took lessons off and on over the years and got my private when I was 24 when I finnished my first hitch in the Marines. Got my Instrument, Single- Multi Engine Commercial when I was 29. Had to stop flying for a little bit due to some medical problems and have been working as an A&P for the last few years but planning on starting flying again this summer.
 
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