Thinking about becoming a pilot? Here are 12 reasons you should get started right now.

12) There's nothing like your first solo flight.

The second you take off on your first solo flight, every pilots comes to a shocking realization: that YOU are the only person in the world who will get the plane back on the ground safely. When you land, you'll realize that you've done something that so few people around the world have accomplished.

11) You learn more about yourself.

Your decision making changes very quickly as you're trained to judge challenging situations thrown at you at a moments notice. You'll learn what your limits are and what kind of work it takes to improve them.

10) You fly when, where, and how you want.

Are you tired of pushing through packs of people waiting to get searched by the TSA? Private pilots get to avoid all of that mess, flying themselves directly where they need to go.

9) You'll quickly lose your fear of heights.

This one's pretty self-explanatory. If you become a pilot, you'll be forced to leave that fear of heights behind.

8) It can lead to some pretty cool careers.

Put your finger on any continent of the globe and you'll find a pilot there. The different careers you can hold as a pilot are incredible.

7) People think this is what you do.

There's a certain respect that comes with being a pilot. For me, I've always been greeted with a "Wow, you're a pilot?!" Some of your crazier friends might ask to do a few loops though...

6) The destinations.

It's no secret that pilots get to travel a whole lot. Whether its around your state, or around the world, you'll get to see and experience things like never before.

5) You're a member of an elite club.

In the United States, about .2% of the population has a pilot's license. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this is a great way of getting there.

4) You get to share it with friends and family.

Showing off your city from above with that new piloting ability is so much more fun with other people in the cockpit. Since getting my license, I've had people begging for flights... You surely will too!

3) It's a challenge.

If flying wasn't a challenge, it wouldn't be nearly as rewarding. And without the bad days, there couldn't be good days. Remember that as you begin training, it won't always be easy, but it will always be rewarding.

2) It's in your blood.

Flying is addictive. For most of the new pilots out there, it's been a longtime, if not lifetime, dream to become an aviator. That itch to take the controls doesn't fade easily.

1) You have the best view in the world.

Do you have a friend that wants to be a pilot? Do you have friends that don't understand why you love flying so much? Pass this on and they'll "get it" right away.