StevieTimes
Line Up and Wait
A few days ago, I got in the air again after a few short years! It was fantastic, by the way. I didn't even pretend to be competent; and told the flight instructor (Matt) that I was not to be trusted. I confessed to my absence from aviation; and he took it in stride and said no problem, it's like riding a bike.
I did some amazing flight planning. I brought in the following picture to CFTAR at the Marco Island airport, printed on a single piece of paper (thanks Skyvector):
So then we flew from the Marco Island airport to the coast, by the condo I stayed at.
I know there is an ADIZ out there, so we made sure to be nowhere close to it. For some reason, people want to check out these dome houses:
So I did what people on vacation do; which is whatever touristy things there are to do, like fly over dome houses.
Next we flew across the ocean to the Florida Everglades. @Katamarino, eat your heart out.
(*not sure I got these pictures ordered right, but you get the idea)
For real, even a short trip across the water makes me nervous. I thought about whether the glide would get me to the shore (so I could be eaten by pythons, gators, crocs, and water moccasins), or if we'd be short and the sharks could have some kind of early lunch. I'm from Minnesota, crash almost anywhere you like; you won't be quickly eaten by horrifying creatures.
Anyway, we landed in the Everglades. The picture got grainy, so it's hard to read the sign that proves I was there:
We stopped so Matt could wipe down the windshield a little bit; then we taxied back and departed using a short field takeoff. Fun times!
Visibility wasn't great, but we were in class G, and we discussed what we'd do if it got unforecastedly worse (unforecastedly is a word, as of right now). I explained that I was instrument rated, but not current, so I could easily hold a heading and airspeed, but might be messy on an approach.
Anyway, things were fine, he showed me the local landmarks like the highway for following back to the airport.
Very big thanks to Matt at CFTAR http://cftar.org/aircraft-rentals-naples-florida/
Those guys are great to fly with. They are super mellow, and super cool. The whole thing was nothing but fun; Matt did the work, I did the glamorous flying parts, and I walked away with great memories, great pictures, and I only spent $195.62 for it. I am surprised more people don't do this... you wouldn't even have to be anything more than a student pilot!
Also big thanks to Delta airlines for letting my boy sit in the left seat of one of their 757s and giving him the plastic wings I got from Northwest Airlines when I was a kid. They let him taxi and even takeoff! He did most of the cabin announcements too. He may not have gotten them all correct. He also buzzed the tower, but what six year old wouldn't. They understood completely.*
(* OK maybe not all of that last part was true; you decide)
I did some amazing flight planning. I brought in the following picture to CFTAR at the Marco Island airport, printed on a single piece of paper (thanks Skyvector):
So then we flew from the Marco Island airport to the coast, by the condo I stayed at.
I know there is an ADIZ out there, so we made sure to be nowhere close to it. For some reason, people want to check out these dome houses:
So I did what people on vacation do; which is whatever touristy things there are to do, like fly over dome houses.
Next we flew across the ocean to the Florida Everglades. @Katamarino, eat your heart out.
(*not sure I got these pictures ordered right, but you get the idea)
For real, even a short trip across the water makes me nervous. I thought about whether the glide would get me to the shore (so I could be eaten by pythons, gators, crocs, and water moccasins), or if we'd be short and the sharks could have some kind of early lunch. I'm from Minnesota, crash almost anywhere you like; you won't be quickly eaten by horrifying creatures.
Anyway, we landed in the Everglades. The picture got grainy, so it's hard to read the sign that proves I was there:
We stopped so Matt could wipe down the windshield a little bit; then we taxied back and departed using a short field takeoff. Fun times!
Visibility wasn't great, but we were in class G, and we discussed what we'd do if it got unforecastedly worse (unforecastedly is a word, as of right now). I explained that I was instrument rated, but not current, so I could easily hold a heading and airspeed, but might be messy on an approach.
Anyway, things were fine, he showed me the local landmarks like the highway for following back to the airport.
Very big thanks to Matt at CFTAR http://cftar.org/aircraft-rentals-naples-florida/
Those guys are great to fly with. They are super mellow, and super cool. The whole thing was nothing but fun; Matt did the work, I did the glamorous flying parts, and I walked away with great memories, great pictures, and I only spent $195.62 for it. I am surprised more people don't do this... you wouldn't even have to be anything more than a student pilot!
Also big thanks to Delta airlines for letting my boy sit in the left seat of one of their 757s and giving him the plastic wings I got from Northwest Airlines when I was a kid. They let him taxi and even takeoff! He did most of the cabin announcements too. He may not have gotten them all correct. He also buzzed the tower, but what six year old wouldn't. They understood completely.*
(* OK maybe not all of that last part was true; you decide)
