You never know when something is going to happen that will change your life in an instant. One day, Joe Pires was driving down a road and saw something flying above him that would inspire him to pursue his childhood dreams. 

He had dreamed of flying since he was a young boy, but finally, in his 50s, he decided to do something about it. Not in a conventional aircraft, but in an unusual flying contraption called a gyroplane. 

It wasn’t exactly love at first flight, but now, Joe wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Joe, who is now in his mid-60s says the dream he’s had since he was a little boy has finally come true and he couldn’t be happier. In fact, he’s become quite an advocate for gyro-planes. Joe says when you fly regular aircraft you are merely a pilot. But when you fly gyros you are really flying! He says it’s the difference between being in the belly of a bird and actually being a bird!