When I was searching for an airplane to purchase, I knew I wanted to do more with it than just “bore” holes in the sky. But if I’m honest with myself, that was always the point behind finally getting my pilot’s license. Seeing a need, with a solution, inspired me to change the narrative in my head from “I can’t” to “how can I?”

So back to our aircraft purchase. I never thought I could afford one, until I once again changed the narrative to “how can I?” Excel never lies. Taking a look at my budget, while trying to zero in on it’s mission, left me with few options. I knew early on that if I were going to do this, it couldn’t be just another expense. Some new shiny thing to be proud of. It had to be used to give back and inspire. Somehow. I realized it was the passion I’ve always had for aviation, and how terribly I missed the tight-knit flying community that brought me back.

Zeroing In

That is what drew me to start Left Seat Adventures. It’s not just about me, it’s about the flying community. Not just the ones in it, but also those desperately staring at the sky longing to be there, while grounding themselves with the phrase “I can’t.”

The original concept was to document my journey into aircraft ownership, all of the adventures and experiences it unlocks. But I’ve realized in these short weeks that it can be so much more than that. Conversations I’ve had with some of you have driven that point home.

If you’ve been following my Sonex Rehab video series, that too evolved from mere documentation to my sincere hope that others will see it and say “I can do that!” Inspiration to restart your home built experimental project collecting dust in the corner of the garage. Courage to not gloss over that once glorious air steed, relegated to a dusty frame and boxes of parts in an old hangar on the classifieds.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be bringing you podcasts aimed to “kick the tires and light the fires” in your heart to finally pursue aviation. In time I’ll be interviewing a whole range of people from dreamers to current professional airline pilots, all who at one point have chosen to say “I can do that!”

You. Can. Fly.

So allow me to debut the new motto of Left Seat Adventures:

“Helping you live the adventure that life can be, from the left seat.”

“Decisions are a way of defining ourselves. There comes a time in life when there is nothing else to do but go your own way. Where you are headed there are no trails, no paths, just your own instincts. “

Sergio Bambaren