- Joined
- May 23, 2006
- Messages
- 8,484
- Location
- Oklahoma
- Display Name
- Namaste
- Home Airfield
- OK93 (Airman Acres)
"Would you like to go flying tonight?" Yesterday I got a surprise phone call from a friend I have never flown with. After discussing all the destinations that would not work, I suggested we fly the Hudson corridor past a glittering New York City, since the flight would leave around dusk and return after dark. No doubt, it is my last opportunity to make that flight.
I got a little lost on the way to her house, so the sun had just set as she pulled the plane out of her hangar. A quick phone call to her hubby assured us that the Yankee Stadium TFR was not active. I was pretty sure there would not be a ball game there on the same night of the All-Stars game, but she had never heard of the All-Stars game. We discussed the reporting and altitude rules and direction of flight. It was a good review for both of us.
There was very little traffic. Still concerned about Yankee Stadium, my friend asked a really charming and helpful NY Approach controller who reassured her that there was no problem. A helicopter followed about a mile behind us on the way down the Hudson and a couple of Cessnas passed in the other direction on our way back.
The night was calm and beautiful. Early evening lights made everything so different from the view in daylight. We both delighted in pointing out landmarks -- where she works and I went to school, various buildings where I had worked, the park, the Chrysler and Empire State and other notable buildings. The avenues were fiery streams of stoplights and headlights. The new WTC is absolutely gorgeous red, white, and blue. The Lady, as usual, held her head and her torch high.
Thanks to my friend for the chance to say, "Goodbye, New York."
I got a little lost on the way to her house, so the sun had just set as she pulled the plane out of her hangar. A quick phone call to her hubby assured us that the Yankee Stadium TFR was not active. I was pretty sure there would not be a ball game there on the same night of the All-Stars game, but she had never heard of the All-Stars game. We discussed the reporting and altitude rules and direction of flight. It was a good review for both of us.
There was very little traffic. Still concerned about Yankee Stadium, my friend asked a really charming and helpful NY Approach controller who reassured her that there was no problem. A helicopter followed about a mile behind us on the way down the Hudson and a couple of Cessnas passed in the other direction on our way back.
The night was calm and beautiful. Early evening lights made everything so different from the view in daylight. We both delighted in pointing out landmarks -- where she works and I went to school, various buildings where I had worked, the park, the Chrysler and Empire State and other notable buildings. The avenues were fiery streams of stoplights and headlights. The new WTC is absolutely gorgeous red, white, and blue. The Lady, as usual, held her head and her torch high.
Thanks to my friend for the chance to say, "Goodbye, New York."
Well, if you get here real soon and want a right-seater who knows the drill and can do the radios, my hand is raised.