I was introduced to ultralight flying in 2010, while reporting a story about paragliding with birds of prey in Pokhara, Nepal. When I returned to the States, I learned to fly a paraglider before starting to pursue a private pilot certificate.

 

I now hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating with about 1,200 hours of total flight time, about half of which is in vintage tailwheel aircraft. I have owned a Luscombe 8E, a Cessna 140, a Cessna 170, and a Piper Pacer. These planes have taught me more about myself than I could have ever dreamed.