You might be wondering whether I’m actually a pilot. Fair question. Between the name Rudder Digital, the logo, and the constant aviation references, it would be awkward if I wasn’t. So yes, yes I am.
I’m Neill, owner and principal of Rudder Digital, and flying has been part of my story for quite a long time.
Growing up in a military family, my childhood dream was to become a military pilot, specifically flying the Fairchild A-10 Warthog. I still think it’s one of the coolest airplanes ever built. While life didn’t take me the military route, I did earn my civilian private pilot’s license on June 12, 2021. Since then:
- Flight hours: 221.1 (about 45 per year)
- Total landings: 425 (26 at night)
- Airports landed at: 100+ across Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona
- Coolest airport: Sedona (KSEZ)
- Longest runway landed on: 13,503’ at Clinton/Sherman (KCSM)
- Shortest runway: 1,200’ grass at Skyroads (014)
- Aircraft flown: 11
- Total number of people I have flown with: 27 (including CFIs)
- Endorsements earned: 2
- Instrument time: Actual, 0.4 ... Simulated, 12.4 (I am not an instrument rated pilot, so my numbers are low)
What I enjoy most about flying is the freedom. Once you’re in the air, it’s just you, the airplane, and the horizon. No emails. No notifications. Just lift, noise-canceling headset, and the quiet hum of doing exactly what you trained to do.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep dropping aviation rabbit holes here ... you’re welcome to come along.
