ChrisK
En-Route
My son and I had a nice (albeit moderately bumpy) flight to Port Clinton (PCW) on Saturday. 57nm each way let me put 1.9h of XC time in a 172 in my logbook (I'm hoping to put 25-50 hours in that plane before I consider a HP / complex endorsement). ATC was quite helpful at helping us avoid traffic before our eyeballs spotted anything, and my little one was quite the spotter himself.
Was pretty cool seeing Cedar Point as we went by, not to mention flying along the water is fun and pretty.
PCW was hopping when we arrived. They just opened a new museum, had a Harley show with a band and a bunch of vendors, a nice restaurant, and a small shop that sold a t-shirt so I could replace the shirt I dumped coffee all over during the flight (did I mention moderate turbulence?). I felt like kind of an idiot taxiing all around the field figuring out where to park. Now that I've been out of the plane and all around the field I have it down for next time. I was NOT expecting the huge crowds and loads of aircraft. I guess I should check the schedule next time...
The static display was fun, too. =) CAF was down from Willow Run, and my boy got to pose a bit.
On the way back the turbulence got even rougher. My son, usually stoic whenever he is in an airplane, gave me the occasional glance during the more severe bumps. Just as it was getting really rough, he ... fell asleep. Not kidding. Should have taken a pic, but I was too busy holding the aircraft shiny side up. Flew back to my home airport without event and landed 'er in a nice crosswind. It was nice to get an opportunity to experience some less-than-stellar conditions, fly to a new airport, and share it all with my boy.
I suppose the biggest reason to post was an excuse to show off the cute picture of my son and I.
Next short XC I'm planning (weather permitting) will be 79NM with a nighttime return into my first class C. Great to stretch my wings!
Was pretty cool seeing Cedar Point as we went by, not to mention flying along the water is fun and pretty.
PCW was hopping when we arrived. They just opened a new museum, had a Harley show with a band and a bunch of vendors, a nice restaurant, and a small shop that sold a t-shirt so I could replace the shirt I dumped coffee all over during the flight (did I mention moderate turbulence?). I felt like kind of an idiot taxiing all around the field figuring out where to park. Now that I've been out of the plane and all around the field I have it down for next time. I was NOT expecting the huge crowds and loads of aircraft. I guess I should check the schedule next time...
The static display was fun, too. =) CAF was down from Willow Run, and my boy got to pose a bit.
On the way back the turbulence got even rougher. My son, usually stoic whenever he is in an airplane, gave me the occasional glance during the more severe bumps. Just as it was getting really rough, he ... fell asleep. Not kidding. Should have taken a pic, but I was too busy holding the aircraft shiny side up. Flew back to my home airport without event and landed 'er in a nice crosswind. It was nice to get an opportunity to experience some less-than-stellar conditions, fly to a new airport, and share it all with my boy.
I suppose the biggest reason to post was an excuse to show off the cute picture of my son and I.
Next short XC I'm planning (weather permitting) will be 79NM with a nighttime return into my first class C. Great to stretch my wings!