On March 25th, 2014, I was nervous and excited to be flying again. As part of my pursuit to get back in the air, I had to show that I could preflight an aircraft, get in and out of the aircraft, as well as be able to actuate the anti-torque pedals. I was permitted to do this in a simulator only.

I was lucky to have my friend and fellow Kiowa Warrior aviator, CW4 Al Mays take me up in the Kiowa Warrior simulator.

We flew for 1.5 hours; it was great to be back up, if only simulated (this time). 

It was another step towards returning to flight duty!

I didn’t know at the time, but that was also to be my last flight in the Kiowa Warrior simulator. I only ever got to fly the Kiowa Warrior one more time after that before my beloved aircraft and I were each retired.