Mar 07
About Dan
Thank you for visiting my website!
I was born and raised on the northwest side of Chicago. Since childhood, I always had the urge to fly, but never really new the logistics of how to become a pilot. 
I knew about flight schools at Palwaukee Airport, but always thought it was exorbitantly expensive (which it is indeed ridiculously expensive there). After getting married in September of 2007 to my beautiful wife Lisa, we moved up to Volo, Illinois. During my new work commute I would pass the sign for Campbell Airport and I checked out the website one day. I was surprised to find out they had a “Discover Flight” lesson for only $59! For $59 I figured I’d give it a shot and see what flying in a smaller plane is like. Well, about 3 seconds into that first flight, I knew I had to get my license at this time in my life. Campbell was tons less expensive than Palwaukee, but it still would take a substantial investment. After “Google-ing” around some more, I found out there is Westosha Airport just slightly farther away from my home. After checking out their website, I realized how affordable it could be to actually get my license. Shortly thereafter, I started lessons in Westosha and the rest is detailed here on my blog.
On this site you’ll find my thoughts and experiences on my journey to getting my private pilot license. UPDATE: If you’ve been reading posts since October 2008, you’ll notice that I have indeed earned my private pilot license and loved every minute of my training experience. I will continue to journal my experiences around flying and I hope you enjoy the blog!
Thanks for reading,
Dan
Daniel J. Gandor
March 31st, 2008 at 11:38 am
I noticed you are flying out of Westosha. I flew by Westosha on Saturday. It made me think that I should make a t-shirt for Westosha for my line of aviation t-shirts at RogerWilcoWear.com. I thought you might be interested in the Westosha T-shirt design: http://www.rogerwilcowear.com/2008/03/31/westosha-airport-t-shirt/
Safe flying!
April 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Daniel,
I just read your “blog” today and I have to admit you make a compelling arguement for the merits (and safety) of flying. Many years ago (I would guess 1966), my brother (your Uncle John) was attending Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois; which is well known for it’s aviation program. In fact, all the athletic teams at Lewis University are called “The Flyers”. One weekend, my brother had one of his friends, who was in the aviation program, take your grandfather and me for a flight in a private airplane. It was a horrendously windy day and the flight was terrifying. Fortunately, we landed safely and I’m alive to write this. When you first told mom and I you were taking flying lessons, I was mortified. But after reading your blog, and becoming reassured at how thorough the pre-flight inspections are, how air-worthy the planes are constructed these days, and how thorough the instruction is, I’m captivated once again about taking to the skies in something other than a commercial airliner. I’m looking forward to the day when you complete your instruction, get your license, and take mom and I (and Lisa)on a journey we could never have imagined. Dad and Mom.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dan,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. I just completed my checkride and am now an “official” pilot. Thanks for the information – if you’re OK with it, I would like to add a link to your blog on my own.
Happy landings,
Frank
May 24th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Daniel – Congratulations on your first solo flight, I am sure yor are exxxtra careful, but keep being that. How exciting it must have been for you. I would loved to have been there, bitting my nails and praying the Rosary. Soon, Dad and I could come over and see you in person doing it. We are proud of you always, and love you very much, Mom:)
July 29th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Dude that is soooooooooo awesome what you are doing!!! I started to read your last entry and then
read all the experiences…really interesting. The fact that you are already doing solo runs is crazy!
Not that I want to fly or anything now that i’ve read your journal, but its pretty amazing that you are
flying into major airports like madison and milwaukee…i see the passion in your writing….you must
love it! great job with your website…your words, your pics, the design, its excellent!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Dude we love you in that special kinda way. Look what no kids and wife that doesn’t care get yea. You lucky man you!!! Call me some time. Oh yea website looks good.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Great blog! I’m getting ready to start my flying and I’ve found your posts to be very informative. I was thinking about blogging about my experience as well – what software do you use and how did you put up your “flight metrics” sidebar? Do you track your flying online or do you manually update the stats?
December 30th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Great blog Dan,
It’s always fun to read about student pilots, or pilot stories about going for that add on rating.. the experience that goes with it. Prior to taking my instrument checkride, i searched for insturment checkride blogs.. just to read the many experiences, and how every pilots checkride experience is a little different..
Great Reading Dan.. Please check out our website Jake’s Pilot Shop http://www.jakespilotshop.com if you are in need of anything..
January 19th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Hi Dan,
I stumbled across your blog through google, and I had a lot of fun reading through all of the posts. Congratulations on getting your private pilot certificate, and keep up all the good work!
I had a couple questions for you. Once you’re through all of the costs associated with actually getting your license, how expensive is it thereafter to continue flying on your own time? I noticed you belong to a flight club – so do they charge by the hour on the use of their planes? Also, if you fly out to another airport and park (say you’re going to a restaurant, for example) does that airport also charge some hourly fee to have your plane parked there?
Essentially I’m just wondering about the costs associated with flying after you’ve already acquired the license. Feel free to shoot me an email if you’re up to shining some light on the subject for me (I believe you have my email address, as it’s required to leave a comment).
Thanks,
Nate
December 19th, 2009 at 10:18 am
When you have a passenger that is feeling woozey, and if they are in the right seat that is a good time to start teaching to fly. Get their mind off of being sick. That is what most of airsickness is about. This has worked for me a couple of times.. kent
December 19th, 2009 at 10:21 am
That is a great idea… I’ll try it next time! Thanks! -Dan
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Daniel – OMG – you haven’t changed since you were a little boy in the Oral Path. Dept. when your father was doing his Ph.D. Please, tell, Dan and Pastora that Khaleelah and I think of them often. You are married now!! Wow and handsome as ever. What are you doing with your life because you have the smartest genes running through the veins!! I want to leave my phone # for either your mom/dad but sort of afraid it will be out there “lost” in cyberspace. Khaleelah and I were just talking about your family today and this is probably what prompted me to do a search of your father. I see he is still publishing. You may remember me from a million years ago because I gave your father my old Lower organ to practice/play on. I hope you will have the opport. to tell them both hello and pass along and get back to me through e-mail my phone number. I hope all of your are well and wish you all a very Happy New Year. I cannot believe you are now married, but I guess it makes sense. How old are you; can’t wait to share with Khaleelah. Barbara Adamick GRILLI /Khaleelah Azeez – please share with your mom and dad!!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Yes, I remember you guys! It’s great to hear from you! I’m 30 now… I’ll share this with my Mom and Dad and I’m sure he’ll email you soon! -Daniel
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Daniel – I made my way to your website and saw all of the wonderful pictures – engagement; wedding; mom and dad!! And as I said to Khaleelah, before I read your bio, I just knew you had to have some SCIENCE in you, too. What a wonderful and beautiful wife you have and congratulations so very much to the two of you!!! Congrats. on the license, also. Your mom and dad look great and just the same!! So glad to see you are such a “perfecto” son, husband, friend, colleague, etc. I am so happy for all of you.