Hi Jacob,

I don't have a pilot's license, so I can't pilot an airplane myself, but I do like flying in airplanes as a passenger. The closest I have come to actually piloting an airplane was a test flight in a Space Shuttle simulator at the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. During our simulated Space Shuttle missions at Space Camp, I practiced piloting the Shuttle during the launch and landing. It was a lot of fun.

I have never built or flown model aircraft, but I know other scientists who have done this. I can think of one person whose experience with radio-controlled model airplanes actually might have helped start his career in the space sciences. I also know scientists who have private pilot licenses and can fly real airplanes. If you are interested in aviation and airplanes, then you have a lot in common with many space scientists and engineers.

Kris