It would be one thing if flying was simply flying to Han Solo, but it's far more than that. For him it's been a life long infatuation with the idea of being a pilot, but also, it's symbolic of freedom. Escape from what might be holding you down.

He's lost count of how many times he's saved himself by knowing how to fly.

Anyway, he can understand easily enough that the dragon wouldn't want to surrender that freedom to someone else.

"I'm surprised you'd be able to hear anything up there."