The year has come and gone so fast! Exactly one year ago today, I took off on my first flight lesson, a bit apprehensive, but very excited. I remember having the controls handed off to me for the first time, I was scared and a little intimidated. My instructor asked me to do some S shaped turns, so I could get a feel for the plane. Being timid as I was at first, my turns were probably a 10 degree bank. The instructor laughed a little and showed me how it was done, putting the plane into some 65 degree steep turns on the spot. After that moment, I began to realize that the plane I was flying was a strong machine, and could handle some pressure.
Just one year later, I feel like I’ve come so far. I look forward to every flight with just as much excitement as I did with those first few lessons, but am definitely less intimidated! Below is a list of some highlights from the year. I was fortunate to experience some things that I never dreamed I’d be doing within the year, it’s been really amazing. The year was filled with so many “firsts” for myself; I’m so thankful that my family has supported me through it all.
- First Solo Flight (week of my 16th birthday)
- Flying with Colin Summers over Los Angeles, Malibu, and Hollywood
- Flying in for a “$100 hamburger” at Jamestown Airport with some friends
- First Solo Cross Country Flight
- Flight over Gulf Shores with Rod Kellogg
- Flyby for my family reunion
- First helicopter flight, over the Grand Canyon
- First glider flight lesson, over Lake Tahoe
- Hitting 108,000 views on my YouTube video: “Inspiration for Pilots, What if money was no object?”
- Landing at my “home airport,” Richmond International Airport
- Flying into First Flight Airport, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
- Visiting Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona
- Hitting 100,000 views on this blog! (from over 174 countries!!!)
This has been one of the busiest years I can remember. With over 116 articles written on this blog, you can read a little about nearly everything memorable that I had the chance to do. With my Junior Year of High School in full swing, it’s been chaotic, but so rewarding at the same time. I can’t wait to see how things will go in the coming year.
I’m due to get my pilot’s license in about 2 months (at the minimum age), and am nearly ready to take my FAA PPL Written Exam. I can't wait for the moment that I pass that final exam... So what am I most excited for? ... Being able to finally be the pilot in command with friends and family onboard, showing off the skills I’ve been training so hard to gain over the past year. I can’t wait for the chance to show off our city to friends and family, from the air, to give them an entirely new perspective on where they’ve lived for so many years. 
The past year has been great, and there is so much to look forward to in the new year. A world of opportunities have opened up for me because of my involvement in aviation, I can’t wait to take advantage of some of the diversity that aviation offers. Thanks for reading and watching, Have a great New Year! Stay tuned for a new article about the coming year, with a big announcement! -Swayne Martin Twitter: @MartinsAviation
