I think I'm hitting my midlife crisis a decade early. For my 25th birthday I flew a 2006 single engine Cessna (which was surprisingly cheap, they only charge $50 for a "discovery" flight) and I think flying a plane is one of those things in life that everyone really has to experience... to find out how boring it really is.
I always assumed, when I was younger, that piloting a car, skidoo, plane, etc would be a horribly complicated task. This was reinforced by my first attempt to drive a car (inadvertently through our white picket fence). Flying a plane, with a copilot of course, seemed to me relatively simple.
The only difference is the force of the wind, which obtains a tangible personality instantly upon reaching 1000+ feet. For the first few minutes after take-off, its all about keeping the plane level, banking while keeping your nose pointed at the horizon etc. Basically you feel like you're driving a 3 axis Plymouth Sundance.
Without warning, a strong gust of wind comes along to remind you just how tenuous of a hold the little plane possesses over the air surrounding you. Frightening, yes, but only first couple of times. Soon you'll find yourself anticipating the gusts the best you can, and bam, you're fumbling with the XM radio trying to see if the Stern show is on while balancing a coffee on your lap and trying to take a picture with your cellphone.
Another curtain pulled back, another seemingly daunting task... found to be as mundane as mowing the lawn.
