THE MOST DANGEROUS RATING IN MY LIFE

THE MOST DANGEROUS RATING IN MY LIFE

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When I start thinking about some dangerous stuff, first thing on my mind is cooking. Spending time in the kitchen itself, with all the knifes and sharp objects is dangerous enough, than add multiple pots with boiling water, sizzling oil, hot steam, just look at the picture...

...but thats not what I am going to talk about this time.

Few years ago I decided to become a professional pilot. I set up a goal to have a pilot license, before I get a driving license. Than I finished my private pilot license, and I wasn't really feeling too much like driving. Not having a driving license was only advantage for me. When we get somewhere to pick up a plane, someone had to drive home and someone flew home. Without a driving license I was always piloting a plane, which was way more comfortable and faster ;) I told myself I must have a commercial pilot license first and after that I will start working on my driving skills. Few years later I finished my commercial pilot license with the multiengine and instrument rating and I was trying to find another excuse. Thanks to all of my driving friends I did never have a problem to get somewhere, and living in Prague with perfect public transportation system, I didnt need to drive at all.

But finally a real reason showed up, I was up to go to the US in order to work on my research for the Czech Technical University for few months. Southern California isnt really non-drivers friendly and so I finally decided to get a driving license.

I didn´t know anything about driving, I only had a little bit of experience taxiing with the planes to the runway and back to the apron. I had exactly 3 weeks to leave to the states, so I decided to check the driving schools and find out if I have enough time to do it.

The weather in Prague was just getting really bad, my first day at the driving school was pretty crazy as I found out that I have to start that day, otherwise I wouldnt have enough time to finish it on time. I started driving on the worst weather with all the snow and ice, and my first lesson was after the sunset, because the instructor wasnt available sooner. Even some of my drivers friends were not driving during those days, saying it is too crazy.

Someone could think it would be easy for me already having a pilot license, but I was completely lost missing the third dimension. All the 2-dimensional rules were so strange for me. Always being taught I can never stop, all of a sudden I have to respect those strange STOP signs and they are everywhere! My instructor knew that I am a skydiver, nothing about my piloting career, he was always saying: „You can´t fly here on the road like you are on the parachute, there are some lines and limits, slow down!“



It became really fun! I start enjoying the driving, playing with the stick, going fast, but I was scared all the time and it was a really big adrenaline for me. I hated especially the oncoming traffic, realising that one of the drivers just have to move hand few centimeters and we both crash into each other on a super high speed...and die!

One day my instructor told me: „I know it is kind of too much for you right now, but try to imagine...one day you may decide to try to fly a plane! Than you will have way more switches to control and things to do!“ I started laughing and replied: „Actually I have no problem with the planes!“ He didnt get it, but we were both laughing about it later over a beer when I told him about my commercial pilot license.

All the course was really fun. I finished my driving license in 15days including the examination. I texted my flight instructor I have a new type rating and now I am getting ready for my trip. I will need a lot of luck ;)

And one more reason I am telling you this story? Do you have a car? Do you cook sometimes? Realize how dangerous it is and better come fly with me!

SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT! GROUND IS. Flying is way more safe, that´s for sure!