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Conquer the skies
by L. Wang, with Harv PennerMilitary Lives Prayer Time
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View flying clips from Harv's Air . (Right click the link and select "Save Target As ..." or "Save Link As ..." to save the movie file to your computer, then watch it using Windows Media Player or your favorite movie playing application.)
Harv Penner always dreamed of flying since he was a kid. He began pursuing his dream back in the 1960s by reading books and building model airplanes. At the age of 17, he started taking flying lessons and got his private license to fly. Today, he owns a flight school in Steinbach, Manitoba, where he and his family teach the Mavericks of tomorrow how to fly. In a brief interview with Harv, I had the chance to find out what it takes to be a pilot and the joy of soaring the skies.
Q: Where do I start?
A: If you have a passion for flying, you must dedicate yourself to your passion. You cannot just decide one afternoon that you want to learn fly and not put any more time or thought into it. There is no substitute for hard work and practice. Determination, dedication, desire and some decent ability are vital.
You can start fueling your interest by doing some research on the Internet or going to your local library and picking up some books on planes and jets. Another great way to start is by going to the airport. Chances are there is someone there who is teaching and would be more than happy to give you a tour. In addition, there are many college programs such as the one at Harv’s flight school that even provide accommodations.
Q: How long does it take to learn?
A: As a career, a hobby, or something you do on Saturday night dates, flying does not take long to learn. At flight schools, it usually takes a full time student 6-8 weeks to get a private license. Some people decide to take lessons part time while they continue working. They usually get a license within 6-12 months.
Q: How old is too old?
A: Although most people who start flight school are under 30, there is no right or wrong age to start. Anyone can learn how to fly, whether you’re 17 or 49.
It feels like I’m flying!
Harv and other pilots can testify that there’s just simply no other way to see nature better than from a bird’s eye view. The changing seasons, the beauty of creation, the exquisite clouds—the view is just so much more extravagant when you’re 30, 000 feet in the air. On top of that, as a pilot, seeing someone on your plane experience that feeling of flying for the first time is simply amazing.
~Laurie Wang graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in English and has a diploma in Journalism. She's a big fan of hockey, sleep and rare steak. Laurie takes pride in being able to count to infinity--twice.
~ Harv Penner is the owner of Harv’s Air Service, a family owned and operated air service located just south of Steinbach, Manitoba. Enrollment: 220 students a year, 16 full-time flight instructors, 3 examiners, 4 aircraft engineers.