Jimisola.com - keepin’ on

Short version:

I am now a proud holder of a Private Pilot License (PPL) which means that I can take my friends for a ride, fly allow over Europe etc.

Longer version:

My parents claim that I’ve always had an interest in airplanes and “flying”.

My first memory of me getting hooked on airplanes, flying and aviation in general is from when I was 13 years old or so. I had just gotten my first computer (a 286 ~12MHz PC with a 2400 baud modem and a 9-pin Star printer for those we remember those days :)) and spent hours with the games such as Air Traffic Control (Tracon), F15 Strike Eagle etc. A friend of my mom worked at Malmö/Sturup Airport with tele and radio communications and he was kind enough to take me there for a tour and I got to see the Air Tracon Control Center with radar screens etc. He even borrowed me a scanner and for a couple of weeks I kept listening to arrivals and departures at Copenhagen/Kastrup Airport (airplanes in and out of Copenhagen Airport fly over Malmö). So, when I was 15 or so I was fully determined that I sooner or later in life would take my Private Pilot License. In 1996 after upper secondary (sv: gymnasiet) and me running at the Junior World Championships in Sydney, Australia, I was fortunate enough to get scholarship offerings from different schools in the US. Was hoping that one of them would have a good aeronautical program but none of them had any. My ideal aeronautical school was Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I also looked at becoming an air traffic controller (the school was, and still is, located at Malmö/Sturup Airport), but instead I started studying computer science at Lund University.

However, I never let go of the dream of getting a pilot license. Had made myself a promise that I would get my license - sooner or later. Can’t recall how I found Lund University School of Aviation, but I did and I applied. I applied as early as 2001 or 2000 even, but missed two test opportunities - one due to an injury (hamstring rupture) at the Swedish Indoor Championships. Nonetheless, I completed the tests later, passed them, did the interview with a teacher and the session with the psychiatrist - and made the final cut. On a Saturday during fall of 2003 I remember getting a call while at work informing me that I got a spot. I was of course thrilled, but they also informed me that I would not be able to combine it with (semi) professional track. I had until Monday to decide how I wanted to do. Turned myself inside out that weekend trying to come up with the right decision. I finally turned it down knowing that I was not finished with track at the age of 25 and not with an Olympic year coming up in 2004 (I missed Sydney 2000 Olympics with 0.18s and it nagged me - still does). I missed the Olympics in 2004 due to an injury and I wondered if I had made the right decision - what if I don’t get another chance? I reapplied during Spring 2006 and until I knew if I’d get in or not I felt that my life was on a hold, a standby - literally. I had nightmares about my decision until I was informed during fall 2006 that I was admitted again for class of 2007!

On “About Jimisola” on this site one can read the following:

Dreams: To take a medal at a major outdoor championship (World Championship or Olympic Games) and to become a pilot

I proud to say that the latter has been fulfilled. If just my darn groin would heal

Pilot at last. My Temporary Private Pilot License Card proves it!

It is not possible. I’m honestly sad and a bit pissed to be frank. I was totally unaware of Seun Anikulapo Kuti’s concert at the Malmö Festival this evening. He is the son of Fela Ankulapo Kuti and have followed his dad’s footsteps playing Afrobeat, just like his brother Femi Anikulapo Kuti.

I’m a big fan of Afrobeat. My dad and mom used to play a lot of Fela when I was a kid and I still listen to this day. I have all (at least most) of Fela’s record and some of Femi’s - great music!

Cannot believe that I missed this concert! In Malmö too!

Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan wrote an article about the concert and was very postive.

I’m currently in a very busy period with upcoming theoretical as well as practical tests. If weather permits I’ll be flying a lot in the beginning of next week in order for me to do the Civil Aviation Authority Private Pilot License test Thursday or Friday next week. In addition to that the tests for ATPL theory block 1 is coming up, so most of my time goes to doing multiple choice questions in order to prepare for those tests. Can’t wait until all this is over!

After all these tests the students fly two-and-two up to the very northern part of Sweden. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s such a freedom to be able to decide the routes just me and my wingman.

Anyway, I really hope for nice weather next week so that I can fly. I have some real funny - and challenging - solo flights to look forward to. Need to do a couple of cross-country solo flights which means that I’ll be flying to Ängelholm, Kristianstad, Malmö/Sturup, Ronneby, Kalmar and Växjö. The grand-finale is a 300nm (555km) cross-country solo flight with to at least two other airports. The fun part is that I get to decide myself - more or less - where I want to fly. I’m thinking of doing a tour of Skåne from above (for those understanding Swedish: är man en gåsapåg så är man).

A catch up is indeed what is needed after more than a month since my last post…

A lot of things has been going on since then. The most important thing is - of course - me turning 30. No comments… I’ve been told that sub-30 is no age while as 30+ earns respect

While in Malmö (first 2½ weeks of my 3½ break from school) I had a really good training flow. Needless to say, training in Atleticum (our indoor track and training arena in Malmö) gives a lot more than the gym in our basement up in Ljungbyhed.

I spent the last week in Stockholm. It was a nice blend of the archipelago and the city including Stockholm Jazz Festival. Sadly I got sick and could not see everything that I wanted to see, but at least I saw Randy Crawford (what a voice!) and Ziggy Marley. A Stockholm visit is nothing without a visit, or two or three…, to East. If you love soul, funk, rnb - especially old school - then this is the place to be - trust me!

What else? First week in school was not to funny even though it was a week of flying. I was still sick (coughed like crazy) and the weather did not permit much flying… Because of the weather our Private Pilot License exam has been delayed by two weeks

Which was not too bad after all since that made it possible for me fly to Stockholm for DN Galan this coming Tuesday. DN Galan is a great meet and I’m looking forward to see some friends and watch the meet.

Last Friday I meet up with my physio again. We have a plan for the rehab work and I will give it all I got. I’m desperate to get back on (to) track…

Oh yeah, I’ve had a Luther Vandross period - again. Watching his DVDs over and over again.. That man’s voice! It’s a shame he left us too early…