You are never too old and it’s never too late!
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My philosophy is to try to learn from everyone I come in contact with and I highly recommend this approach to life.
I had occasion to learn something really cool last weekend. It was a lesson I have experienced before, but I will likely need to relearn it over and over again. The lesson: you are never too old and it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
My teacher was Dr. Dean Merchant – pictured here. He just completed a kit-built airplane, not unlike mine, and that isn’t unique. What IS unique is that he is 85 years old! Dean has been working on this airplane for a while and he never rushed the project. He took his time and did it his way. While most of us would never consider such an undertaking at his age, he never thought much about it.
Age to him is truly just a number.
I was honored to conduct the 1st test flight on his lovely flying airplane and it went perfect. Dean has taken the bull by the horns and has not let some arbitrary number stop him from his dreams of owning and flying a machine created by his own hand.
Another good friend Tom Webster was flying and frolicking all the way until he died in his sleep in his late 70s, just this last fall – man he did it right!
I have many good friends down at the huge fly-in community of Spruce Creek in Florida and it is like a scene out of the Ron Howard movie, Cocoon. Those folks haven’t given up anything due to their age. They are living large and having a ball.
It is really encouraging to see people doing this and not letting anything get in their way.
For fun, my family signed their names and put some wise words inside my airplane during its construction. One of those inscriptions reads, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” It was placed there by my very contentious wife back in 2008 and it remains sealed inside the structure today.
We find all kinds of excuses to avoid going after our goals. This quote is true, “If you are passionate enough about something, you’ll find ways to do it; if you aren’t, you’ll find excuses why you can’t.”
So get up and chase that dream. Take the first step, even if the way ahead isn’t clear (it seldom is) – you’ll be glad you did.
Maybe you aren’t challenged in this way, but know someone who is, I would ask that you provide as much encouragement as possible to get that person moving. Sometimes just a little impulse is all it takes to make a big difference. Every one of us has the ability to inspire someone just by letting our passion for flying shine through.
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Thanks for this thought Brent! I have battled much discouragement as I have just started the learning curve at age 52. I am thankful for so many resources and blogs like yours to get my head cut into flying safely and smartly. God Bless!
Thanks Tim! Glad to help. Best of luck on your journey and feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Brent
Brent–Great post, I’m sure it will resonate with many. This comes from a fellow who went back to college at 62. I earned my BA in English from Ohio State last June, 27 days shy of my 64th birthday. So, for almost three years there I didn’t know how old I was, and I guess I was about nineteen. It was a terrific feeling, let me tell you. No, the girls didn’t share my age assessment, but what did they know?.
If it’s okay with you I’ll link this post to my blog today. http://edupublisher.com/TheSkyBehindMe/
Thx. BE
Byron,
What a great story! That’s living proof! I would be honored for you to share this post on your site.
Regards,
Brent
I’m 58 years young and chasing my dream of now becoming a private pilot. I often wonder what am I doing at this age wanting to learn to fly? It is an absolute thrill, and the completion of the goal is like climbing a mountain. There will be obstacles and delays, but I am committed to completing it!
That’s fantastic Robert! Thanks for sharing your story.
Brent
Brent, I love this post. You are never too old… until it’s too late. I say do it now!
Thanks Karlene!
If people would just think about this article, I’m never to old, it would make a person great. Great article. Thinks
Thanks Don! I appreciate the kind words!
Brent
I totally agree with you. “You are never too old and never too late” to try things you want in life. Ever since I was a kid I have always passion for aircrafts. I collect toys and stuff related to planes. I always wanted to be a pilot, but I was never given a chance. Because becoming a pilot is too damn expensive. Now that I have my free time. I’m taking things slowly by learning how to fly an aircraft through a simulator. This is the simulator I’m talking about:Pro Flight Simulator .Based on my research it is accurate to the real thing.
Mark,
Good that you are doing what you can! Thanks for sharing!
Brent
Great subject. It’s tough to “take the plunge” into flying, especially if you’re a fiscally responsible individual. The cost can be staggering. But as people far wiser than I have noted, the one resource we are all losing in equal measure is TIME. You literally can’t take it with you. I can’t think of anything sadder than looking back on your life and wishing you’d grabbed the bull by the horns when you had the chance!!
–Ron
Great words my man!
Brent,
Agree, at 42, I am finishing up my PPL since it was dream to learn to fly since I was 8 years old and my father took me up for a discovery flight in a Cessna. Its been very challenging and expensive but well worth it.
Ben,
Awesome that you never let go after all those years!
Brent
As an update to this post, I’m thrilled to report that Dean has flown his intrepid flying machine with no major issues. He’ll be working on practicing landings and continuing to finish off the 25 hour test flight phase.
Congratulations Dean!