10/12/1986 - Started PPL training in Bridgeport, NJ

9/15/2005 - Resumed PPL training in Lancaster, PA after long layoff due to airport closure, kids and work

10/19/2005 - Soloed again after 21 years in N4601D, (C-172)

2/26/2006 - First cross country.

9/15/2006 - Passed my check-ride!

I guess with a last name like Langley, you would expect me to be involved in some aspect of aviation.  I have done many things in my life from traveling in bands, working in recording studios to playing professional baseball; but none of those things have been as fulfilling as when I received my Private Pilot’s License.  I have loved all aspects of flying since I was very young, but life things always seemed to be more important.  After getting married and raising children, the time came when I was able to get my flying “fix” through radio controlled airplanes and helicopters.  One problem arose though.  As I continued to build and fly, the desire for larger aircraft grew  until  some of the airplanes that I built were 42% of full scale with 150cc gasoline engines in them! 

Someone finally said to me...

“why don’t you just build one that you can sit in?”

Boy, that sounded like a great idea, so after several years of flying competition RC and building aircraft, I joined the EAA and and began my journey with two things...

1. Private Pilot Training
2. The beginnings of looking for an aircraft to build and fly.

Before I knew it, I was deeply involved in trying to figure out which airplane to build, what to put in it, how much to spend, and all the other things that can bog us down when we want to take on this kind of challenge. 

This involved the EAA, magazine and internet forum subscriptions, chapter meetings, talking and reading and reading and talking....

Finally...  After three years of trying to come up to speed, at Sun n Fun 2007, I made my choice and wrote out a check to Green Landings for a deposit on an Arion Lightning.  What a great day!  I was pumped!

Now my journey continues, and hopefully this web site will serve as a place of information for all to read as well as a way to document my Lightning build. 

Please feel free to make use of all information for educational purposes or just fun.  I make no claims as to the accuracy of any statements herein, just that if I have presented something useful to you, then my mission is accomplished.