Hello,

I guess we never took the time to get acquainted! But before getting any further, I would like to personally thank you to spend some time reading the story of my journey to become a pilot. I hope you will enjoy it and find some inspiration in throughout the different posting. Drop me a line or add a comment! This blog is aimed at sharing and gathering the experience of pilot and pilots in training or as I like to call it Pilot to be! I was reading an article from the AOPA that only 30% of the people starting flying actually do get their license at the end or 70% drop out! I'm surely determined to be among the 30% and I hope to be able to share my excitement of flying through this blog.  

My name is Frederik D. and I'm 39 years old US Permanent Resident & French citizen (to explain the English grammar and spelling approximation). Born in Paris (France, not Texas), I grew up there! So Paris is my backyard.

I'm holding two diplomas in Software Engineering and an MBA. My current occupation is Software Development Director for a major Software Company in the CAD/CAM and PLM arenas.

In the last 3 years, I had the opportunity to get closer to world of commercial aviation when my company has started to look for resources that would be able to work for our biggest customer: EADS (which includes Airbus Industries).

I'm now leading the technical team that is designing and implementing the many enterprise software managing the information used during the design phase of the planes (A380, A350, A400M, soon hopefully the A30X plus many of the legacy aircraft (A320, A330/340…).

I'm currently spending most of my time between 3 different places: Toulouse, France, Minneapolis, MN and Centerton, AR.

• Toulouse, France:

  This is where Airbus is based (ICAO code: LFBO). Got to be there for business!
  But this is a very lovely region: rich of history, old stones and fabulous food. I know, I've asked myself the same question: "What's up with the French and their food? " J This is also an excellent platform for piloting as you are a stone throw away from the French Riviera, Spain and all the North African countries. You have also access to the rest of France and notably the Bordeaux region for those of you wine lovers and Paris. But beware of the regulations, this is not the US and flying there is a little more tricky.
  For the Da Vinci Code fanatics, Toulouse is Cathars country!

• Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA:

  Minneapolis, MN is the place of many unfinished business right now. This is a place that I have learned to appreciate over the years and that offers a great environment overall for personnel and business development.

• Centerton, Arkansas, USA:

  This is where home is! Even if I have never really lived there! This is where the two most important ladies of my life lives: my fiancé and my daughter. This is where I will take my flying lessons: Summit Aviation, LLC. More about that later.