Living in Southern Florida sometimes makes it difficult for fourth-year College student Kamran Bakhtian to find rides back to the University after breaks. Then again, if Bakhtian can't find a ride, he can always fly.
"I fly with my dad," Bakhtian said."I don't fly alone."
His father is a licensed private pilot, so Bakhtian has been in the front seat of their Cessna-182 Turbo ever since he was five years old. The Cessna-182 Turbo is a small plane that seats two in the front and two or three people on a bench in the back of the plane.
Bakhtian didn't seriously consider flying until he was about 13, so he has yet to earn his own pilot's license.
It's more convenient for Bakhtian to get his license in Florida where he could use his own plane since earning a license takes many lessons and hours in the air.
"I'm probably going to get it after I graduate, since this coming summer I'll have three months free," Bakhtian said.
Bakhtian said flying offers a lot of freedom and excitement each time he gets in the cockpit.
"The freedom of being able to choose high altitudes or low altitudes is great," Bakhtian said. "We can choose to go faster [at higher altitudes] or to see more" at lower altitudes.
Flying in Southern Florida is very different from flying up north, or even in Charlottesville.
"The Charlottesville area terrain makes air currents unpredictable," Bakhtian said.
Winds make flying in Charlottesville more dangerous and difficult -- flying at sea level in Southern Florida is much easier.
While Bakhtian and his father enjoy flying for the sheer fun of being up in the air, they have also joined a volunteer program called Angel Flights. This program allows the two men to fly underprivileged families in need of medical attention to better hospitals around Florida that can provide such treatment. Bakhtian and his father have been involved with this service program for the past five years.
"It's something we've done together and since my dad is a doctor, it interests him," Bakhtian said.
Bakhtian said he doesn't think flying is extreme for a hobby.
"Everything is pretty much under control and it's even more safe than driving because you have to triple check everything," Bakhtian said.
He explained that pilots take written and in-flight tests every year to get their certificates reinstated. They also must send their planes to a mechanic to have their parts checked for compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's regulations.
"It's safer than people think," Bakhtian said. "It's really regulated."
Flying provides a rush most people can't get when they buckle up and hit the road in their cars. Then again, Bakhtian pointed out an "extreme rush" that everyone gets no matter whether flying or driving -- gas prices.
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