Lucky '13

I've been trying to figure out why I feel a little anxious today.  It's almost like that feeling you get when you think you've forgotten a deadline.  Then I realized what it was.  Today is the last work day of 2013.  Sure, it's a bit of an arbitrary deadline.  I mean, we'll have one day off then back to work on Thursday, but still, I feel like I should be doing something.  Instead, I'm going to reflect on this past year and then leave early to watch UCLA football play in their bowl game.

Twenty years ago I passed my check ride and got my private pilots license.  Two years ago I got my commercial ticket.  And yesterday I passed my biennial flight review by flying a near perfect ILS approach into Lawrence and greased my landing.  It doesn't get much better than that!  Unless, of course, you get to fly a PT-17 Stearman.  Been there, done that!

I still can't believe that I've been a pilot for over 20 years.  I started flying before GPS was common.  I still have my first wall poster of the panel of a 172.  When I look at those old steam gauges I wonder how the heck did I ever fly IMC with that panel?!  But I did, and I lived to tell about it!  And each time I tell one of those stories they get better and better.

After all these years, my passion for aviation still burns deep.  Duke Ellington used to say that music was his mistress and she plays second fiddle to no one.  I know exactly what he means because aviation is mine and forever will be.  That's why I feel so blessed to be able to do the things that I get to do.

Never say never.  Growing up in LA, I never thought that I'd be living in Kansas.  But here I am and loving every minute!  Kansas has such a great history of aviation pioneers and continues to remain on the leading edge of the industry.  Just look at your GPS device.  If it's a Garmin, it was made in Kansas!

2013 was great!  Not only did I become the director of the state aviation office in the state that is the birthplace of general aviation, home to the air capital of the world; but I also was a part of something special when a group of us launched the first-ever Kansas Aviation Expo.  What a great event and we're going to do it again!  #KSAvExpo2014, where dreams come true!

So, what am I anxious for?  I can't wait until Thursday!  I want to start this new year and get the ball rolling.  For now I just need to relax for a minute, cheer on my Bruins, take a day off and then it's back to work.

I'd be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of you in the aviation community for helping make 2013 spectacular.  A special thank you to those that risk their lives helping save others.  If you haven't spent time with an air ambulance operator, I'd suggest you take some time to learn what they do.  Our meeting with Lifeteam was an eye opener.  Working in aviation isn't just about being a corporate fat cat.  We're much more than that.  Aviation saves lives.

Here's to blue skies and smooth landings in 2014. Cheers!