Once you've mastered the skills for and passed your private pilot checkride, the options for even more exciting aircraft experiences open up, such as seaplane flying. Landing on the water is cool. Or fly the backcountry. Or visit aviation events and camp under your airplane's wing. up, and it's amazing what you'll learn just by being a gofer. Scrubbing oil and baked insects off an aircraft builds character. Be a volunteer and help out with events your airport puts on. When you invest time and effort into your aviation community, you'll not only gain knowledge but will experience this flying family for yourself. There's nothing like sitting around a hangar with a cool drink and some buddies, an airplane or two-maybe even a dog-and just talking. 12 FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2024 Take an honest look at your priorities Let's not candy-coat it-flying is expensive, and funding this new venture is a struggle for many. It can be harder for those of us without disposable income or much spare time, but there are a few options worth looking into (see " Make it Count " p. 38). For example, kids and teens between the ages of 8 and 17 can go for a Young Eagles flight with an Experimental Aircraft Association chapter and get access to the Sporty's