Here you are truly separate from the earth, at least for a little while, removed from the cares and concerns that occupy you on the ground.

Flying is like sex - I've never had all I wanted but occasionally I've had all I could stand.

Here you are truly separate from the earth, at least for a little while, removed from the cares and concerns that occupy you on the ground.

I am alive. Up here with the song of the engine and the air whispering on my face as the sunlight and shadows play upon the banking, wheeling wings, I am completely, vibrantly alive. With the stick in my right hand, the throttle in my left, and the rudder beneath my feet, I can savor that essence from which life is made.

The most crucial thing is to learn the craft: how to string sentences together, how to make your dialogue sound like real people, how to properly pace a story, how to develop interesting characters.

This thing we call luck is merely professionalism and attention to detail, it's your awareness of everything that is going on around you, it's how well you know and understand your airplane and your own limitations. Luck is the sum total of your of abilities as an aviator. If you think your luck is running low, you'd better get busy and make some more. Work harder. Pay more attention. Do better preflights.

It's the most exciting thing you have ever done with your pants on!