Why I Fly - Joe P.

It was a sunny day in Annapolis, Maryland and my dad decided to bring me to the annual “Army-Navy” football game. I was six years old and was inspired by the many midshipmen marching onto the field in their black and white uniforms. My dad would always tell me about his many experiences in the Navy and my interest in joining started to grow. Little did I know, that afternoon would be the day I found my dream. We’re standing for the national anthem and as it reaches its conclusion, four F-14 Tomcats in diamond formation flew over with their afterburners lit. I could feel the power of their engines in my chest and it was the most impressive thing I had ever seen. As I watch them turnout away from Annapolis with awe, I knew deep down, that was what I was born to do. Ever since I was a little boy, I have developed this deep interest in flying for the US Navy. As the years went on, I immersed myself in the many aspects of aviation. Every year I would beg my parents to bring me to see the Blue Angels and when I did, it would be the highlight of the year for me. Today, I still have that dream and I will do whatever it takes to get there.

Joe in the left seat of a US Navy P-3 Orion.

I met my first obstacle when I was not accepted to the US Naval Academy halfway through my senior year in high school. This was a big hit towards my confidence in myself and my chances of accomplishing my dream. But, I wasn’t going to let that denial from my top school get in the way of my dream. I know that there are multiple ways to become a fighter pilot and I have taken the steps in working towards those goals. Learning how to fly at CHI Aerospace is the first aviation related stepping stone along my journey of becoming a fighter pilot. This is my chance to build a solid foundation in aeronautical knowledge so I can set myself up further down my journey through aviation.

Many ask me, why? Why fly for the military? Why would you want to get shot at, overseas, away from friends and family, when you could be an airline pilot and make more money? The answer is, I want to be part of something bigger than myself and protect the people and country I love. But most importantly, I want to be the pilot that’ll inspire those six year olds who look up towards the sky and find their dream.