http://flightaware.com/photos/view/339156-12ea41d0307acaf3b239c7b6e1e65fb2b84530f6/all/sort/date/page/1
(http://flightaware.com/photos/view/339156-59e8c75fef079aa8abed88a3687782af3d1def7c/all/sort/date/page/1)
I was hoping they would turn out better, but they didn’t.
Congrats and Happy Birthday!
That’s not a wing strut, that’s Will!
+4" +100lbs 
I was 5’ 10" and 120 when I took my first lesson too. You would think being broke would keep you from gaining weight…
Congratulations and happy birthday.
John in Saudi
Happy birthday will, I have that same headset.
Are you calling me fat? 
Happy Birthday Will, that was a great present and a wonderful introduction to general aviation. Hopefully you can continue the adventure by eventually signing up for some lessons, at your age (no offense) you can take a leisurely path to a license.
Hey Elmo, when you get to your first duty station check out the local USAF sponsored flight club. The aircraft are heavily subsidized and instructor rates are half or less of what is charged in the civilian world.
Happy Birthday Will, that was a great present and a wonderful introduction to general aviation. Hopefully you can continue the adventure by eventually signing up for some lessons, at your age (no offense) you can take a leisurely path to a license.
Thanks JHEM, and everyone else!!!
And pika… I guess that’s what I’m trying to say, no offense… 
I have a couple more pics, they are really bad, but when a gust of wind catches you and you look at the vert speed and it says +500, you look up for a second and find yourself grunting just a little and you look back down and it says -500… It’s kinda hard to take pictures!
I don’t know if I told you, but my older brother was in the back seat, it was his first time up, also!
I still have the airplane right here!
http://flightaware.com/photos/view/339156-648fb3a0d9701135e74d79a5a9ff3b8b3b81dc74/all/sort/date/page/1
Congrats, Will.
My first several flights were all GA either with my dad taking me up or someone he knew at the airport. I didn’t have my first commercial flight until my senior year of college and I was flying for a job interview. After flying GA in the front seat, it gets hard to just get herded in. I certainly prefer the GA flying as I can see everything that’s going on!
You might end up ruined for life like me.
I hope not… 
Thanks!
Yeah I’ve thought about it…I know there’s one at the Mansfield base but I’m not so sure if there’s gonna be one at Youngstown. Regardless, if there is one, I’ll probably join whether I’m still a “student pilot” or not. Thanks for the tip. 8)
Geez - my first flight ever was by myself on a Comair EMB 120 from GSP to CVG and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love GA flying and being in control more overall (only have a couple of hours unfortunately 
) ), but there is nothing to compare to the feeling of accelerating down a runway in a jet - of course, I’m a total speed freak too. And I hope this doesn’t come out weird, but I like posts like this - I know the feeling I got my from first lesson (and every subsequent lesson when I can afford them) and Will’s got it just like I do/did. There’s nothing that compares! 
Oh, and I have buddies in the AF here and they’re all members of the CAFB Aero Club. I’d give my left one to join, but no civilians wanted. The fee’s for rentals and flight lessons make it physically hurt that I can’t join them boys…
Congratulations, Will!
It’s something you’ll remember 30 years from now, and your first solo will be even more memorable.
My first time at the controls was at Addison, TX. Later, my first solo involved a flight directly over KDFW to Alliance, where I dropped off my instructor and made a few of the best landings I’ve ever done. I should have pursued flying further, and encourage you to go for it!
Thank you everyone!!!