Friday’s Fabulous Flyer

Xavier Lozano

“My mother was a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines for 28 years. Retiring in 2003.”

I love to read aviator’s stories and find the magic in their lives. Yes, everyone does have magic if they listen to their heart, follow their dreams, and do what they love. How can I rewrite the passion and love that flows from Xavier's heart? I can’t. Some people were born to fly, and Xavier is the perfect example.

Please meet Xavier Lozano... One day this young aviator will be your captain.

I've known I have wanted to get into aviation since birth, quite literally! I know this because there is a home video of me when I was very little (must have been several months old), rocking on top of a plastic blow up Delta branded play airplane. I tear up when I watch that video, because I loved that thing so much!

Ever since I could remember my mother and I would fly out of town quite often thanks to her pass privileged. I remember that I was always very excited to go to the airport. I would always dress in my Sunday's best when flying. Everything excited me and fascinated me, and still does about the airline travel experience. I remember walking through the terminal at Houston Intercontinental Airport, down the long narrow hallway that lead to the gates. I remember the lay out of the terminal. I remember the aircraft we flew on was almost always a Boeing 727(classic!), or a Embraer Brazillia, and for our flights to Hawaii, the aircraft I found most fascinating (at the time), the Lockheed L-1011.

To this day, the experience of flight continues to fascinate me. I recall a few months ago, I was on a flight from San Antonio to Atlanta, and we departed during the evening hours-about 8:30 PM, so the sun was setting. As we depart and climb to altitude, I look out the window down to the city below. Down below, is just a beautiful sea of lights. When I look straight out, it’s just blue and violet. And while I'm seeing all this, I just say to my self, "wow. I have to do this for a living". I absolutely love flying.

Leonardo Da Vinci Once said, "For once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward". Nothing more true could have been said. I just absolutely enjoy the sensations of flight. Listening to the noise of the engines, feeling the sensation when your descending, the sound of the landing gear extending and retracting, the sound of the flaps deploying. Flying is just a lovely and fascinating experience.

I took my first flying lesson, in a helicopter, in 2003 or so. However all my lessons after that have been in fixed wing aircraft, Cessna 172/152s. As of right now, I have about 8 hours of flying time. However, I haven't been able to take lessons lately due to financial reasons. But soon, with the help of financial assistance, I will be able to resume flying soon. I plan on earning the necessary ratings to become a commercial pilot.

One bonus anecdote: I was very fortunate enough to visit the Delta Air Lines pilot training center in Atlanta, and "fly" one of their old Boeing 737-200 simulators. That was an experience that I will never forget!

Will Xavier achieve his dreams?

I have no doubt!

Keep that ambition alive Xavier, and you will go far—To the far corners of the earth, soaring upon the jetstream with your future ahead and the sun setting behind your contrail.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene