For Kurt, aviation is more than a passion—it's about connecting with others who share the same love for flight. As an active member of an Austrian flying club, he shares his experiences in fostering camaraderie and collaboration among pilots of all levels. Read more about Kurt’s first flying experience and his position in the aviation community.

Can you tell us about your first experiences with flying?

After school, when I started working, I was searching for ways to make flying a reality since it had always been a dream of mine. I visited many airfields to see what kind of flying was possible. What really fascinated me was gliding, flying with a sailplane. It seemed the safest option to me, especially since I was too afraid to try hang gliding or paragliding.

After you decided to get your pilot license and started flying, what did you feel when you reached that "safe altitude" for the first time?

It was during a glider flight. The goal was to stay in the air as long as possible, using thermal currents. It's a truly amazing feeling when the thermals lift you and you see the altimeter showing 3-4 meters per second. At that point, you feel like a bird, like a true pilot—you're in your element.

Apart from flying alone you are a member of a flying club in Austria. What makes this so special?

You make friends in the club, celebrate birthdays together, spend time at club events. The social aspect is important for the club’s success because everyone has their role to fulfill. For example, I'm an electronics technician, so I take care of the radios and charging stations in the club. It’s a good feeling to be needed. It’s a very social activity.

Can you tell us a bit more about the uniqueness of a club and its community?

We share experiences about flying, and exchange knowledge about what we've learned. That exchange is incredibly important, and the culture of learning from mistakes is also crucial. Everyone is cautious, making sure everything goes smoothly, and that everybody is safe.