Why I started teaching.
I had a terrible time getting my private pilot's rating. The local flight school I went to was typical of flight schools everywhere — the instructors were all young folks looking to log time so they could move on to better-paying flying jobs, and they weren't particularly interested in being good flight instructors.
Trying to fit that in while running a business was a logistical balancing act, and nearly impossible to coordinate a workable schedule between an instructor and a rental airplane. I nearly walked away from aviation more than once.
Fortunately, I was befriended by a business associate — a former Naval Aviator who flew combat in Vietnam. He guided me through my flight training and encouraged me to buy my first airplane.
I promised myself that as soon as I could afford to, I'd earn an instructor's rating and maybe save some other poor soul from a similar experience and walking away from aviation. I've been a flight instructor since 1988.