As time progresses, we are finding ourselves making great strides toward laying a great foundation under this wonderful project called, “The Flight for the Human Spirit” And yes…even though this is an aviation oriented mission…it still needs to have an excellent foundation under it’s wings. It is this foundation that gives it the support that it needs to endure from beginning to well beyond the end.
A case in point is that I now have preliminary confirmation that the aircraft will be ready to take delivery the week of June 14th. And remember, our official unveiling will be at US Aviation Group located in Denton, Texas on June the 27th. For more information, please check our community site at www.flightHS.com
Now, regarding the flight training…I’m happy and proud to say that I’m able to bring an aircraft safely back to the ground. Landings are the obvious key to flight training, and last Friday Justin and I flew from Denton up to Ardmore, Oklahoma where I did my first unassisted landing.
Justin first took off, and flew around the airport traffic pattern to show me the proper altitudes and steps to fine tune the landing procedures, then he assisted me with two more landings. After that, he did what any good instructor should do, and stayed completely quiet as he let me take off, fly the traffic pattern, and land completely unassisted.
I have had a lot of pinnacle moments in my life, but there is an absolutely wonderful feeling that I had when I brought that aircraft safely down.
Specifically, we were flying a Technam Bravo Light Sport Aircraft, and it handled very well except it’s got a metal skin on it that made it feel heavy especially during take-offs and tight turns. It was a very stable aircraft to land however, which made it nice to fly for this individual day. Now, this particular aircraft had an auto-pilot system which was absolutely fantastic! Once we reached cruise altitude I simply pushed two buttons, and we were on our way back home very effortlessly. This gave me a chance to process the steps of landing in my mind, and just generally regroup my thoughts.
Now the only strange part of the day came early when I felt a little queasy as we were doing some maneuvers in the morning. I’ve heard that this happens to all pilots sometime in their flight career, but it was not fun! My mind raced with thoughts of “oh boy…this is going to be a long flight not only today…but throughout “The Flight for the Human Spirit” But I spoke up right away, sipped some water, took some deep breaths, and looked at the farthest point on the horizon that I could find. Within minutes, it had passed, and I was able to complete the day without another problem. The most encouraging part about this is that it went away while I was still flying, and that I didn’t have to get my feet back on the ground first.
I didn’t eat right, and my thoughts were too consumed and fixated on the instruments rather than flying…a good lesson learned.
Now, last Sunday marked the countdown day of 300 days to the take-off of the flight from Salina, KS, and honestly I wasn’t really ready to see that number pop up on our home page. As I saw it, I have to admit my heart sunk a little as my mind began racing with thoughts such as, “Oh man…I’m way behind schedule, this isn’t moving as quickly as it should, I’m never going to get this project completed the way that I want to, and on and on.”
Well, I sat down at my computer to write down my thoughts and to document the moment, and before I began, I read my entry from the 400th day to take-off, and do you know what? We’ve come a long…long way in the last 100 days! A hundred days may not seem like a long time, but in those few months, we’ve secured the aircraft, begun flight training, added sponsors, completed the preliminary route, and began to book speaking events. Wow!
But do you know what gave me the most peace? (And this is really what I want to talk with you about today). At first I was overwhelmed as I considered the huge scope of this project, and it was for one very simple reason…I felt alone. I really felt like the entire burden of this project laid squarely on my shoulders, and mine alone. My peace came when I realized that I wasn’t alone at all.
Peace came to me when I realized that Justin, and US Aviation Group are helping me learn to fly, Michele is backing me up with support on the web site and marketing pieces, and of course - - - moral support. I’ve just hired a sales person who will make sure that we have the right people that we are helping to build their businesses through this project, and you’ve already heard about the tremendous support that I’m getting from the aircraft manufacturer not only in Europe, but from their entire staff at the assembly plant here in the United States.
The DFW Lite Flyers club is behind me, my family is behind me, my on-line group is behind me, you who visit here each week are behind me, my sponsors are behind me, my…well…you get the message, right?
So think about yourself for a moment, think about your dreams and your aspirations. What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? How high do you want to fly in your life, in your business, in your relationships?
This most rewarding message that I can give you today is very simple. Realize that no matter what you are aspiring to do, as long as it’s legal, ethical, moral, and will ultimately benefit others…you are not alone! You have an army of supporters behind you who are waiting to help you…right now, at this very moment of your life.
Suppose that you want to take your company, or your business to a higher level of income, then you already have a wealth of individuals who are behind you in your vision. Suppose that you have a new idea that you want to develop, whether it is a book, a song, an invention, or a new recipe…then again…just like that, you have a wealth of individuals who are behind you in your vision.
Do you want to move to a new area, buy a new house, start driving a new car? You’ve got the support that you need…already.
How about something that’s not so measurable, such as just treating people better than you’ve treated them in the past? Maybe being more gentle with your words, or maybe not being as gentle but more authoritative? No matter what…you’ve got a wealth of individuals who are behind you to support your new vision.
Again they are naturally there, and will gravitate toward your vision as long as it is legal, ethical, moral, and will ultimately benefit others. Think about this, because it is an important key to moving down that pathway of success. Today is the day for you to begin achieving your dreams. Today! And today is possible, because no matter what…you are not alone. Every single step that you take toward your dream or your goal, is definitely not a step that you are taking alone. Trust me…people are already here to help. People are here to support you, and they are here to watch you grow in all of your endeavors.
One of my greatest reflections of this past week just happened to me yesterday. I was speaking to someone about the project, and he had never known me, seen me, or heard about The Flight for The Human Spirit, but after just ten minutes of our conversation he looked me square in the eye and asked, “How can I help you with this?”
That’s what I want for you my friend. I can’t wish for you to have all of the help that you need, because you already have all of the help that you need. It would be much more effective for me to make a wish for you to simply realize that you already have all of the help that you need, no matter what it is that you want in your life.
Your help and support has already arrived, you just need to recognize that simple fact.
Tags: accomplishment, flight, historic flight, Inspiration, Justin Shelley, Light Sport, light sport aircraft, michael combs, Technam, the flight for the human spirit, US Aviation Group
As I’m beginning to get the momentum on
By Michele Combs