My dad, my co-pilot ;) (video)

iWantWings

iWantWings

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On his birthday, I took my dad for his first general aviation flight. A little more than a month ago my 2 oldest kids were my first passengers, but this day it was my dad who was going to be my passenger - and copilot ;)

He - as well as my mom, and to some extent my wife - was always wishing that I would give up on the idea of getting a private pilot certificate: "it is an unnecessary risk ... you've got a young family to care for ..." blah blah blah. It was frustrating and an uphill battle having to listen to the same thing ad nauseum.

Funny thing is that this past weekend, the day of the flight - as my mother told me - my dad woke up well before sunrise and called a number of people (different timezone, thankfully) telling them that he was going on a flight with me. He was very excited, go figure.

Guessing he would be a little nervous I asked him to bring a photo camera; during the flight i showed him a moving map on the ipad, some basic principles in VFR navigation and let him hold the controls when trimmed for level flight. Basically to keep him engaged and doing things - this guy's no whimp, but flying doesn't come naturally. So I was prepared for a 30 to 60 minute flight, depending on how I noticed he would manage - especially the wind which made things a little bumpy. But he's a big dude and we managed a 65 minute flight - kinda' pushing it for a first flight.

About the video, audio and photos (that my dad took)...

I screwed up the auxuliary comm radio recording so for the first time I mixed the background engine sound with that of some songs (yup, one of those videos).

I mounted the gopro and edited the video to emphasize the two of us looking out at the scenery, air traffic, maps, etc., so the video doesn't really show much flying and is a bit boring for the "casual viewer". But it sure was the best flight for me thus far, taking my dad on his first general aviation flight on his birthday ;-) and he totally loves the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZtCffAoZdE
 
Excellent post!

It sure looked like your Dad enjoyed the flight. A nice way to spend his birthday and I'm sure he is proud of you. He had that perm-grin going, no hiding that fact, he was having fun. You will treasure that video for a long time.
 
That's awesome! Glad you were able to share that experience with your dad. My father was the biggest supporter of my desire to become a pilot. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years before I started lessons. I'm sure he would have been my first passenger.:yes:

I know he was with me in spirit on the day of my checkride, which was Oct 2nd (he passed on Oct 1st).
 
I'm envious. Would have loved to take my dad up. Somehow never worked out. He got his ppl in 1946 and I never flew with him and he never had chance to fly with me. We both would have loved it. Sure miss him.
 
Great post!! :D
I took my Dad up back in July, and not sure I'll do it again. All he did was sit there with a rolled up sectional, and whomp me with it if I should deviate by 10' alt., or 2kts, on final, or 1/2 degree heading, or 1/2"mp, or 1/4 rpm on power setting.

Actually we had a blast!! Dad's 86, and It was pure pleasure, (actually an Honor) to have left seat in his 182, with him right seat. When we got back, His only reprimand was for me leaving the towbar at the hanger. (I figured that we'd taxi from gas pump to hanger) So I got to make 2 trips to the hanger, 1 for the towbar, and 1 for pulling the airplane (full of fuel) to the hanger (uphill both ways).
 
My parents were my first two passengers....no video but there might be an old daguerreotype of the event somewhere. :lol:

I'm sure he's proud of your accomplishment. Thanks for sharing.
 
GMascelli said:
Excellent post!

It sure looked like your Dad enjoyed the flight. A nice way to spend his birthday and I'm sure he is proud of you. He had that perm-grin going, no hiding that fact, he was having fun. You will treasure that video for a long time.
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I;n glad you liked the story. It was great hanging out with him and he had a good time. Yes, the video is "a keeper" - something the family, young and old, will enjoy watching from time to time. It felt great to have done this.
 
redtail said:
That's awesome! Glad you were able to share that experience with your dad. My father was the biggest supporter of my desire to become a pilot. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years before I started lessons. I'm sure he would have been my first passenger.:yes:

I know he was with me in spirit on the day of my checkride, which was Oct 2nd (he passed on Oct 1st).
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Great to hear that your dad encouraged and supported you on wanting to become a pilot. I think it is great "gift" to have gotten from your dad, something that evidently carried on with you until you became a pilot and forever thereafter. And what a way to remember him by, on your checkride.:thumbsup:
 
Capt-Dave said:
What a great story (and video). One of my goals is to get my mom up in my balloon. She's now 86 but when asked if she'd go she jump right in with a big "Yes". Your story has inspired me, thanks for posting it.
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How cool would that be, taking your mom way up in a ballon ;) I've never been near a baloon, or seen one up-close but it always makes me thing of Jule Verne's Five Weeks in a Baloon story ;) Something I've got to do, in the future, for sure. Yeah, do take her up!
 
Theboys said:
I'm envious. Would have loved to take my dad up. Somehow never worked out. He got his ppl in 1946 and I never flew with him and he never had chance to fly with me. We both would have loved it. Sure miss him.
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Wow, i wish i had known someone who become a pilot in 1946. I'm just guessing that at that time it was "more about flying" and less about covering your butt with ragard to laws and such. Sorry about you not having had the chance to fly with your dad. But that's what eternity is for ;)
 
bluerooster said:
Great post!! :D
I took my Dad up back in July, and not sure I'll do it again. All he did was sit there with a rolled up sectional, and whomp me with it if I should deviate by 10' alt., or 2kts, on final, or 1/2 degree heading, or 1/2"mp, or 1/4 rpm on power setting.

Actually we had a blast!! Dad's 86, and It was pure pleasure, (actually an Honor) to have left seat in his 182, with him right seat. When we got back, His only reprimand was for me leaving the towbar at the hanger. (I figured that we'd taxi from gas pump to hanger) So I got to make 2 trips to the hanger, 1 for the towbar, and 1 for pulling the airplane (full of fuel) to the hanger (uphill both ways).
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That's funny! And you thought your test was done once you passed your checkride ;) Was he seated in the plane while you were pulling it uphill :) At 86 he must know his stuff - lots to learn from him I would gess. Great story.
 
LDJones said:
My parents were my first two passengers....no video but there might be an old daguerreotype of the event somewhere. :lol:

I'm sure he's proud of your accomplishment. Thanks for sharing.
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Doesn't get any better than taking both of your parents as first passengers - my mom won't even get near a small plane, LOL, so I won't even try. I had to google daguerretotype - now that would be cool! Even kodachrone would be great... or just memories chiseled in your mind - this stuff doesn't just fade ;)
 
Geico266 said:
Very cool. Looks like your dad had a great time!
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Yes, he told my mom all about it. It's a bit unfortunate both are still hoping that I will one day "get over the flying thing" and give it up. So there's some ambivalence: they're happy and proud that I started and completed, but at the same time they're not really expressing it because they don't want to encourage me to fly. I've gotten used to their "sentiment" and it is what it is.

Anyways.... another thing, just as we tied the plane down, my instructor was getting ready to fly with a student. So I got to introduce the two, my dad and instructor. I impressed my dad afterwards telling him "you see, my instructor had trained pilots in the army and later on he flew commercial planes like the 777... and he said I was a very good student!"

LOL I surely tried to impress my dad and make him "get it" that this is a big accomplishment and that it can be safe. Not sure he got the safe part though :D. All right, I'm "talkin'" too mcuh.
 
Mason said:
Good video, not boring at all.

Judging from that grin on your Dad's face you might have to sign him up for a lesson or two.....
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Yes, ;) Just as the flight ended I introduced my dad and my instructor to each other. I told my instructor that "my dad is next".

In reality, my dad, who has just turned 61, will soon retire and I will do something for him that I know he absolutely loves. He was never into flying (where I grew up there was no general aviation so he was never really exposed to it earlier in life) but he absolutely loves boat sailing ;)

This summer we might start taking some boat sailing lessons... I already got him some books on sailing... so, I'll do that with him - I know he likes it and I do too. I'll keep the flying to myself ;)
 
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