What are the three stages of perception

Cumulus, mature, dissipating  
as in when the clouds rain
or ,
evaporation,condensation,precipitation 

There are actually five stages of perception and those are stimulation, organization, interpretation, memory & recall. 

In paragraph 47, it says “moments like these make a pioneering flight anything but dull” i’d say he’s optimistic and determined? ? and in 48, it describes how i’m assuming people he looks up to walked the same path so maybe he’s honored to be on the journey ? sorry if i’m wrong.