Way to go! Now on to that Instrument Rating....

Congrats Ilene! We are not to far away up in Nebraska (KEAR). (cross country comes to mind) www.kearneyaviation.com. Come on up with your hubby, we'll feed you a big Nebraska Steak (general principles) and so some flying. Bo pilots don't let Bo pilots fly hungry you know. A36 and V35 time on this end. CFII. If I can help, let me know. Cabela's close by. Phil

Thanks Phil...that's a very kind offer; however, for the moment, I'm content to just be back home in Pagosa Springs! Our only grandchildren live in Tulsa, and we traditionally spend extended time there every year in an effort to stay in touch. This past fall and winter, while there in Tulsa, I completed a life-long goal by earning my private pilot certificate.

For the followers of this thread...here's the "Rest of the Story":

Jim and I took "flying" lessons at the same time back in the late 70's in Dalhart, TX, but I wasn't savvy enough then to realize that I would never be able to complete the training because I was a Type 1, insulin dependent, diabetic, (T1D). Back then, belatedly, at solo time in a Beech Sport, I learned there was absolutely NO way for a T1D to EVER pass a medical...I never did solo. Thankfully, several years ago, the FAA opened the door just a bit and started considering Type 1's on a case-by-case basis for 3rd Class medicals. There are now approximately 450 T1D's with a pilot license in the USA.

Bucket List Item # 1:

In April of 2012, I began the process of undergoing the extra tests (some necessarily repeated at quarterly intervals per the FAA's requirements) to collect all of the extra, supporting data needed to apply for the all-important medical. Thanks to a very supportive local doctor in Durango, CO, Dr. James Irish, an AME/pilot himself, and Dr. Bruce Chin, Peoria, IL, I obtained a special issuance, 3rd class medical in September of 2012.

I had always thought that I could do it..."IF" I could just get a medical...well, it certainly wasn't a piece of cake, but as you know, I did "DO IT"...albeit, 33+ years later than I had originally hoped. I'll need to undergo the same regimen of tests again this September in order to keep my prized medical, but thankfully, I've managed to stay healthy, with virtually no complications for the past 42+ years as a T1D, and I certainly hope/expect to obtain many more, year-to-year renewals.

Jay:

I'll see about an instrument rating after the dust settles a bit on my new private. In the meantime, please accept a much deserved thank you to you and ALL of the others who have followed, and supported, my effort with kind comments!!

I took quite a bit of static from some who thought I shouldn't use our Bonanza for primary training, and indeed, it was a bit of a handful in the beginning; however, I had flown a Bonanza right-seat for many of the preceding years, and I was already comfortable/familiar with our previous '66 V35, and now our '89 F33A. So, I pressed on with a supportive, GIFTED instructor. Thanks to his limitless patience, and a good measure of determination from me, we collectively got it done...a HUGE credit to Doug Mader, CFII, at KRVS, Tulsa!!

Phil:

We'll make KEAR a stopover to, or from, Oshkosh next time from Pagosa Spgs; however, we aren't planning to go this year . We were there last year, and I've been many, many times before. I do fully expect to "fly" there next year. I'm tired of letting Jim fly us in each year.

Now, I can put it on the colored dot myself!

Jim, and our son, Rod, aren't the only pilots in the family !
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. I just realized that I'm logged in using Jim's BeechTalk account sign-in, not mine, but I'm going to submit this post anyway...I don't want to have to re-compose it again...it will likely show Jim as the poster, instead of me...hopefully everyone will understand!

Ilene,

No issue on the cross posting using Jim accounts. If you really care, next time select the text, hit control-C and open a new browser window, log in to Beechtalk and paste in your reply. No need to re-write.

Congrats on getting the exemption.

Tim

Good morning Tim,

Thank you. I thought there must be a way to post it correctly without re-composing, but I had no idea. BTW, I particularly remember that you were one of the very first to welcome me months ago. Your on-going efforts here on the "Introductions" site make a difference. I applaud you for your attention to the cause!

Ilene

Ilene,

Thanks. I am a firm believer in pay it forward.

Tim

Ilene
Neat post and congrats to both of you. I stopped by Dalhart, Tx for fuel while delivering my student pilot buddy and his C172 1200 miles. The fellow that came out to give me fuel had a model of his Bonanza and was 100% aviator friendly. 20 degrees F and onto Liberal, I still think of that sky and the friendly fellow.
Cheers
Mark
Beer from a from a friendly Californian.