Hey everyone, first post for me here.
My name is Chris and I am from Roanoke, VA. I'm 32 and getting ready to start out for my PPL and possibly going back to school for aeronautical engineering to pursue a career in aviation. I have long been fascinated with the world of aviation since I was in about 4th grade. My best friends father was a chief inspector here for US Air and then had to transfer to Pittsburgh after they changed to US Airways. We spent a lot of time at the airport watching planes take off, land, hanging around in the hangars where he worked(here and in Pittsburgh) while he showed us how everything worked as well as why it worked(seeing 737's torn apart inside and out at a young age fascinated me tremendously.) All the way up through high school we would fly to Pittsburgh to visit his dad and catch the occasional hockey game(Go Pens!), but after high school we all went on our own ways as most do. My friend is now a captain for Delta and we speak more regularly, which has reignited my fascination, so I have decided to take on a light sport build while I obtain my PPL.

Coming into it from this aspect, however, I had no clue where to start so here I am. I've tried to reach out to my local EAA Chapter but have had no luck with any of my emails being returned. That being said, I'm here to learn from all of you, and hopefully be able to help some other newcomers sometime down the line. My apologies for the long post, but I respect each of you that participate in aviation, especially the EAA for being more family oriented in regards to this whole other world. I look forward to talking and learning from you guys, so a big thanks in advance!