Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.
Frank, it requires 5 hours minimum conversion to RA including 1 hr solo. I am glad to report that I received my conversion this morning from the CFI and spent another 2 1/2 hours being as free as a bird. That was about 10 hours ago and I can't stop smiling. Please tell me that this feeling doesn't get old.
Old Koreelah, your wife must really love you to do that course for you. It was hard enough doing it for myself. I'm not sure if I would have been so willing to do it for someone else.
Bikky, great news that you have achieved a dream of living in Brazil. Flying for me was also only ever an option if it was more than 12 hours drive away. Go and make time to fulfill another dream. TENTE!
Mark11, every flight, take 30 seconds to think about how fantastic what you are doing is. A civil engineer strapped to a kite with a fan, now that's funny. Seriously, if you are not having fun you may as well be flying GA. (Just joking really, but I must admit that all of the RA people I have met have really been warm, friendly and helpful - I'm very glad I joined this club)
Gary