Book excerpt: Jason Smart, like many people, went through the range of emotions when he set out to learn to fly. In this book he takes the reader on a journey through the highs and lows of learning to fly, from the early lessons to the first solo, the exams, and ultimately gaining his wings as a private pilot. It's not all fun and easy, however. In this day-by-day account, Jason recounts frustration with the weather, the exhaustion, and his own limitations, as well as the many characters he meets along the journey. This book is a frank account aimed at anyone interested in learning to fly. It is also for anyone simply curious to know what is involved in becoming a pilot.