When I was a kid I was always into tales of airborne derring-do, and built airfix kits and balsa-wood aeroplanes. I thought that actually being able to fly an aeroplane must be the best thing EVER!!
Then computers came along and I got into flight sims. Still thought that flying an aeroplane must be the best thing ever.
However I never really expected that it was something I would ever get to do. As my old grandma was like to say, "That's not for the likes of us".
"Bo**ocks" I thought...
What really sprung it was when a colleague at work started taking flying lessons. He had to give them up due to money/family committments, but that was the first inkling I had that I could afford it.
Once I'd done a costing, and realised that I could actually afford to take a couple of lessons a month, there was no turning back.
Until that time, I'd only ever been on any kind of aeroplane twice, going to and from Oslo on a holiday in 1991.
So I had me a trial flight at Biggin Hill, and I was hooked. Started taking as many lessons a month as I can possibly afford (three or more on average) and did my first Solo last September.
Had far too long a break this year for bad weather, but now I'm on navigation and will soon be doing my first solo cross-country.
And you know what? I was right. It IS the best thing ever!