Plane Conversations

I was just reading through some of my past blogs, and realized that I have gone through an enormity of ups and downs in my journey to becoming a pilot.

A PILOT!  I’m a PILOT!  It’s still seems surreal at this point.  Probably because the elation has not yet worn off.  But I did it.  I realized a dream.  And it’s a wonderful feeling.

It was a long time coming.  One year, and 19 days.  There were some obstacles which were unavoidable, like weather of course, but also the fact that I had to switch from the Cessna 152 after 10 hours of flying, to the Katana DA20 (with 7 months of no flying in between) because of an engine issue.  But looking back, switching to the DA20 was the best thing that could have happened to me.  It has a GPS!  And is a joy to fly.

The weeks leading up to my final test (check ride and oral) were the hardest I’ve had to endure in a long time.  The stress was building, knowing I would have to sit with my examiner while he asked me questions which, at the time, I was not sure I would be able to answer.  Why would anyone voluntarily submit themselves to this much pressure, I wondered.  My fear was that I would not retain all of the information that I was forcing into my head.  But my instructor went above and beyond and spent hours going over what he thought were my weak spots.  This helped enormously, and built my confidence to a point which allowed me to push on.  It’s amazing how a glimpse of success motivates you to push through the tough times.  Looking back, it’s moments like those which make me proud of the tenacity I showed.

I’m not sure how it all came together, but it just did.  I have to give thanks to my Instructor Kirk, who spent hours teaching me to aviate, navigate, and communicate.  I said it in the beginning and I will say it again, choosing a good instructor is invaluable.

So if your instructor signs you off as ready for your check ride, then you probably are.  Have faith in that.

These are some things which I found extremely useful in the lead up to my check ride:

-          Work on your weak areas – of theory, and in the airplane.

-          Fly as often as you can in the week before your check ride to be completely comfortable.  Leaving a week in between shouldn’t matter too much, but I was glad to have gotten in a few good mock check rides before the big one.

-          Nice segway:  Do mock check rides with your instructor.  This will allow you to feel comfortable with the process and to see the order of how things will likely go along.

-          If you can, do a mock check ride with a different instructor – sometimes something that they do differently may help you in your learning process if something is not sticking.

-          Know your aircraft – where everything is, and how it works.  And how it flies best (e.g trim, speeds, etc)

-          You won’t know the answers to all of the questions the examiner will ask you, but know where to find them.  Tab your books if you have to.

-          Know the area – if you can find your first few points on your mock check rides, this will take the pressure off a little so you can ensure you will not miss them.

So I did all of these things, but still, everything did not go perfectly.  But I’m happy to say I wasn’t a complete bumbling fool in the oral.  Somehow, I was able to dig the answers out of my brain.  I guess they did stick!

And just like clockwork – the weather came down after my oral.  So we deferred the flying portion to a better day.  Four days later, weather and I had coincided.

Right before my Examiner arrived in the FBO on the day of my checkride, I was sitting, looking for the millionth time at my flight navigation log, nauseous from anxiety.  Within ten seconds of Reece arriving, he had put me at ease.  I gulped and just decided to do what I had done many times before.

I went through my navigation log and my first leg to Chattanooga, explaining my check points, my heading, my altitude, the weather.  This was nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be.  Feeling ok with my paperwork he said “Let’s go terrorize the skies”.  Ok, lets!

I flew well, but they were definitely not the best take-offs or landings I’ve done.  But they were to standard.  My steep turns were great, my power on and power off stalls were pretty darn good, and I even used the VOR without messing up.  The entire check ride turned out to be fun, which was very unexpected.

It was an unbelievable experience which I will never forget.  Taxiing in along Alpha and Juliet to the ramp I could see Reece signing “S” in the columns to the right.  I can only assume “S” was for satisfactory, which would mean I had passed.  When I turned off the engine he smiled at me and said “you did it”.  Nothing could have made me happier than hearing those words.

I did it.  I am a private pilot.

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I haven’t written a blog in some time, and that really goes to show I’ve been busily trying to finish up my private pilot.  A few weeks ago I was studying fanatically for my written test.  Not being one who likes to “have my head in the books” (I learn better by doing), I pushed myself to put in the time to study. It paid off, because I easily passed, which was a huge relief to me.  It seemed at the time just before the test that it would be the biggest step in my path to becoming a pilot.  (I understand that would not be the case for everyone, but for me, takings tests is nerve-wrecking and makes me entirely anxious.)  But now that it’s done, I realize it wasn’t the hardest step. 

Now I’m of the opinion that my solo cross country is going to be the big one.  But wait a minute!  Wasn’t my first solo supposed to be the big one?  What I’m getting at here is that I’ve discovered that the path of becoming a pilot has challenges the entire journey – once I got over the hump of my solo, I then had the written test hump.  Now that I’ve done the written test, I’ve got the solo cross-country.  So, I can now see that once I’ve done the solo-cross country, it will then be the check ride and oral that will likely give me a few sleepless nights.  And after that, well, after that I have my license to get out there and REALLY learn how to fly!  I just need to relax and enjoy the feeling of achieving my goals.

So in a few weeks, I’m hoping to be ready for my check ride.  This is what’s left:

              
DUAL NIGHT X-COUNTRY      
          
LOCAL SOLO TIME 4 HOURS 
                  
SOLO 50 MILE X-COUNTRY 
                
SOLO 2 STOP 150 MILE TOTAL X-COUNTRY

CHECK RIDE PREP 3 HOURS

Am I still anxious about any of this?  Yeah, but my past accomplishments help me every day.   There really is no better feeling than that of accomplishment.  It is a motivator and a confidence builder, and with the highs and lows of learning to fly, it is as satisfying as clear blue skies.

 One more noteworthy comment:  having a great instructor helps.  Kirk has been invaluable in my progress.  He has pushed me when I’ve needed to be pushed, been patient when I’ve stumbled on the radio, praised me when I’ve done a great landing, and slapped my hand when I’ve taxied too fast!  Thanks Kirk.  I promise to slow down for my check ride!

www.wingsmqy.com

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward. “ Amelia Earhart

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Being Australian, July 4^th was more about fireworks and grilling out than commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, as Americans do each year.   But as of now, Independence Day is exactly that for me.  It’s the day I took my first solo flight in the Katana DA-20.  It’s the day I independently flew an airplane, solo.  It’s a day I will never forget.

I wasn’t one of those people who grew up dreaming of flying.  I am just a girl who found herself one day working in the field of aviation.  Each and every day I would look out of my office window (which overlooks the ramp at KMQY) and see a multitude of large and small airplanes taxi up and park in front of my wall of glass windows.  It was bound to happen one day…..the day I decided I wanted to fly one.

It has not been an easy journey for me, getting to the stage of soloing.  I’ve had to overcome some discomfort of learning maneuvers which had me feeling as though I was about to fall out of the sky.  I didn’t.  I’ve had to bring an airplane down to land, fishtailing down the runway and trying to get it back on the center line.  But I got it down.  I’ve had to make myself put my head in the books when everyone else was out enjoying the gorgeous Tennessee weather.  And I’ve had to overcome the fear of flying the Katana without my instructor Kirk in the right seat, there to assist if needed.

I knew I was going to be soloing on Sunday the 4^th of July.  I made sure I was there early so the air was smooth and free of “bumps”, so the winds were calm, and I could just concentrate on flying the pattern and bringing her down for nice soft landings.  I thought I would have been more nervous.  I was much more nervous the weeks before when I knew my solo was coming up.  But honestly, on the day, while driving my car to the airport, I was relaxed and excited.  I was even singing in the car as my favorite song came on.  It was definitely the day!  I was feeling good.

So, Kirk and I took off and flew around in the pattern for three touch and goes.  All fine.  None messy, so that was a good sign.  He then told me to taxi and park in front of the FBO.  That was it!  That was the queue that I was about to do this all on my own.  I didn’t really even say much, I just pulled up and halfway heard him say to go and do three take offs and landings.  I was thinking about everything I’ve learnt, and how I have to do everything just as I had done many times before.  So I did.

When the wheels left the ground on my first takeoff, there was no going back.  I just kept talking my way through everything I needed to do.  “Pitch for 65….pitch for 65….flaps out….pitch for 75……right turn out…..power back at 1500ft….”.  And everything just happened as it was supposed to.   My first two landings were fine.  Not perfect, but pretty darn good.  Coming in for my third I was thinking I was going to nail it.  Three great landings on my solo flight!  Um, well, I was coming in a little fast, landed, then bounced back up to fly for a little more.  “Ok, power’s on idle right?  Yep.  Ok, well, just flare again Rachel”,  I told myself as I came back down onto the runway.  My third landing wasn’t so hot, but I didn’t care.  I’d just done something which only weeks earlier I thought I’d never do without Kirk being beside me.  It’s quite liberating, and for all the times I thought I couldn’t do, I was elated to have just proven to myself that I could.  I was proud of myself, and even happy to have Kirk cut the back out of my t-shirt (an American flying tradition).  It meant I was one step closer to being part of the club.  A pilot.   

I was told the other day that it’s all downhill from the solo.  NO WAY.  There’s still so much more.  There’s the solo cross-country, the 10 takeoff and landings at night (the first one of those was not so hot), the written test and the check ride.  Sigh…..I guess there’s a few more blogs coming then, eh?

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I’ve been flying the Katana DA20 for about 17 hours now, and I finally feel as though I have gotten over the hump of the directional control issues I was having due to the differential braking steering on the airplane.  It hit me one day when I was explaining to a colleague that I was pushing on the right rudder pedal as though I were applying brakes on a car.  I’ve been driving for 19 years, so I obviously know you have to apply the brakes gently.  Not so with rudder pedals on an airplane.  It’s an even pressure, but it is HARD pressure, especially when the rudder becomes more effective with increased speed.

During each and every take-off my instructor Kirk was telling me “right rudder, right rudder!”, with my response of “I am, I am!”.  Well, I was, but it was too gentle pressure.  Thankfully, after a few swirly take-offs, it has now clicked in my head about the amount of right rudder  I need to apply in order to maintain directional control on the runway roll and landing roll out.  (The right rudder is to counteract the left turning tendency in an airplane due to the torque of the engine and a number of other factors).  I’ve also overcome my fear of talking on the radio, unusual attitudes, and power on stalls.  I feel as though I am getting over the humps that always seem to appear on the  road to achieving a goal.   But the end result wouldn’t be so sweet if it were easy, right?  And like everything, the more you do it, the better you become. 

I like this quote by Cardinal Newman – “A man would do nothing, if he waited until he could do it so well that no one would find fault with what he has done.”

So, where am I at now?  After a successful stage check ride with another instructor today, I realized I’m past the hurdles which were nicely set up in front of me, and now ready to tackle my next.  My solo flight.

I’m almost certain that the next blog you read of mine will be of my solo flight.  Stay tuned. 

In the meantime, here’s a video of me flying the pattern and landing at MQY (Smyrna, TN) with my instructor Kirk. 

Want to learn to fly?  Wings of Eagles (MQY)  and Wings of Eagles, JWN

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It’s summertime!  Time to vacation.  Time to peel off the warm clothes and get out and about. 

So for me, I start by looking at the “Empty Legs” list our company (Corporate Flight Management) puts out every month to see what interesting places are available to fly to.  You can buy a seat, two seats or up to 30 seats depending on the airplane (a Jetstream J41 to a Lear 35), and at a great price which is competitive to the airline prices (just more comfortable and no having to go through the pain of airport security).  Just walk onto the ramp and get into your private jet. 

One that comes up often is Nashville to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Nashville.  I’ve been to Atlanta for a netball tournament, but haven’t had the opportunity to really get out and about and explore the area.  

So I do what all people do, and Google.  www.altanta.net  has a list of 50 Things to Do in Atlanta.  So here’s the list of some choice activities on my list.   Now, just book an empty leg flight and head on down to ATL.   

Atlanta Braves and Turner Field
The Atlanta Braves regular season takes place April – September at Turner Field. The Braves Museum and Hall of Fame, also at Turner Field, features more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs that trace the team’s history from its beginnings in Boston (1871-1952) to Milwaukee (1953-65) to Atlanta (1966-present). Both the Braves Museum and Turner Field are open year-round. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden
This peaceful oasis includes 30 acres of gardens, an urban forest, wildflower trails, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory and a 10,000 square-foot Fuqua Orchid Center. A charming bridge links the main gardens to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Children’s Garden. The Garden also offers year-round special events, exhibits and workshops. 

Atlanta History Center
This Buckhead attraction features 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland areas. The complex includes the 1840s Tullie Smith Farm, a fully restored 1928 Swan House mansion and Swan Coach House restaurant. The museum features exhibitions on subjects such as the Civil War, African-American heritage and Southern folk art. The Atlanta History Center includes a wing dedicated to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. 

The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet
The Atlanta Opera offers four main stage productions each season, in addition to other programs, such as Pre-Opera Lectures and student matinees to further enhance the experience of opera. Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and is the official Ballet Company of Georgia. The company’s performances combine contemporary and traditional with classic ballets and new choreography. Both companies recently moved to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a Grammy Award winning, internationally-renowned ensemble now in its 62nd season. Currently flourishing under the creative partnership of Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, the ASO has garnered 23 Grammy Awards. 

Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station offers a city within a city feeling to all its visitors with a walkable streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central Park. Great boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants reign at Atlanta’s new Main Street. Atlantic Station has a Regal Cinemas 16, lots of festivals, concerts and TWELVE® Hotel. Free shuttles are available from the Arts Center MARTA Station. 

Buckhead Nights
Dining in Buckhead has always topped the list for visitors to this luxurious community. Now, you can experience the Ultimate Dining package, thanks to the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group and Buckhead’s top hotels. 

Buckhead’s Legendary Shopping Experience
Expect more Buckhead luxury than ever with the addition of the new 35,000 square foot Neiman Marcus wing at Lenox Square. Legendary shopping in Buckhead takes on new meaning with specialty retailers Calvin Klein, LUSH, Shabby Chic and Zara coming on the scene, exclusive to the Atlanta market only at Lenox. Additional retail anchors include Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, complemented by designer boutiques Hermes, Cartier, David Yurman, Late Spade, Montblanc, St. John and Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Center for Puppetry Arts
Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in North America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The center offers performances from the Family Series and New Directions for adults. An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of Wonder, is the largest puppetry museum in the United States. 

Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Chastain Park Amphitheatre each spring and summer plays host to some of the finest, best known musicians in the world. The Classic Chastain series features musicians and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing at Chastain Park Amphitheatre while guests dine by moonlight. 

Chattahoochee River Fun
Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Contact the Chattahoochee National Park Service to plan your outdoor fun, or Chattahoochee Outfitters, a premier raft, canoe, kayak and pedal boat outfitter. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell offers educational environmental programs, canoe trips and other activities. 

The Fox Theatre
This opulent historic landmark presents shows by Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars, as well as a Summer Movie series. And, one of the nation’s premier professional ballet companies, the Atlanta Ballet, performs its holiday season favorite “The Nutcracker.” 

The Georgia Aquarium
Dive into a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience at the world’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium! Get up close with gentle whale sharks, toothy sand tiger sharks, graceful beluga whales, playful sea otters and aquatic animals from around the globe. With the largest collection of aquatic animals, you are sure to see things you’ve never seen before! 

Golf in Atlanta
Atlanta has 71 public courses, 14 semi-private and 48 private courses that encompass everything from in-town spots such as Bobby Jones Golf Course to championship links at Stone Mountain Park and Lake Lanier Islands Resort. 

High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeast. Expect a broad, diverse selection of art comprising 19th/20th century American works, European paintings, decorative arts, African, African-American art, photography, and modern and contemporary art. The High is currently involved in a three-year partnership that brings treasures from the Musee du Louvre to the city. 

Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Located on Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta features hands-on, colorful exhibits and activities where children can discover, imagine and explore as they learn how things work in their world. Whether it’s building a sandcastle, painting on the walls, or exploring the latest exhibit, children will discover why it’s the smart place to play. 

Inside CNN Atlanta
Journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide and get an up-close look at global news in the making. Inside CNN is a 55-minute guided walking tour with exclusive, behind the- scenes views of Atlanta’s CNN studios and an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action from the world headquarters of CNN. 

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is an opportunity to learn about the life and work of the 39th president. Walk into an exact replica of the Oval Office, see exquisite state gifts and special exhibits, and trace President Carter’s life from his 6th grade report card to the actual Nobel Peace Prize awarded to him in 2002. 

The Laughing Skull Lounge
The Laughing Skull Lounge is the smallest full-time comedy club in the world with only 74 seats, but it still brings the biggest comedy acts to town. This unique combination is why The Laughing Skull Lounge has been voted best comedy club in Atlanta by several local media and as one of the best comedy clubs in the world by Delta Sky magazine. Conveniently located in the back of The Vortex Midtown two blocks from MARTA’s 10th street/Midtown stop. 

Little Five Points
It’s one of the coolest spots on the map. A bohemian hangout with a rich mix of art, theater, and shopping, it has been the epicenter of all things alternative for many years. 7 Stages Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Variety Playhouse, Star Community Bar (with a shrine to Elvis) and many pubs and nightlife places are available. 

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & Sweet Auburn District
The area of Sweet Auburn served as the thriving center of Black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s, and is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, explore his birth home, visitor center, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center, where Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize is on exhibit. The crypt and gravesite of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are also located at The King Center. 

Medieval Times
Journey back to the 11th Century for feasting, fighting and fun. Medieval Times is an exciting, family friendly dinner theater featuring an authentic medieval tournament and feast, with jousting knights and horses. 

Millennium Gate
The Millennium Gate is a new, classically designed monument in Atlantic Station. Winner of the prestigious 2006 Palladio Award for design of a public space, Millennium Gate showcases world-class architecture, art and history in an intimate gallery setting and beautiful grounds. 

See Atlanta from Above
Air Atlanta Helicopters has several selections of Atlanta sites to tour from the sky. And, when you take a hot air balloon ride with Balloons Over Georgia you will see North Georgia in a whole new light. 

Shopping for Outlet Malls?
North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville is Georgia’s first and only premium outlet center. This center offers current-season merchandise from 140 stores. If you’re heading north on I-85, be sure to make a stop at one of the three outlet malls outside of Atlanta: Discover Mills and Tanger Outlet Center, with locations in Commerce and Locust Grove. 

Six Flags Over Georgia & Six Flags White Water
Six Flags Over Georgia is the Southeast’s largest regional theme park. You can visit the park from March to November to experience thrills on Goliath, ride Thomas the Tank Engine or cool-off in Skull Island, the world’s largest interactive theme park water play structure. Six Flags White Water offers thrilling water rides, slides and waterfalls including Tornado, the Ultimate Storm and Cliffhanger, one of the tallest freefalls in the world. 

Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite rock and is the state’s most visited attraction. With more than 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the park offers families recreational activities, special events, lodging and camping. Plus, new in 2008 is Sky Hike, the largest family adventure course in the treetops. Also see the Skyride, Paddlewheel Riverboat, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard, The Great Barn, Scenic Railroad, Ride the Ducks, Great Locomotive Adventure, Golf, museums and the 1870s town of Crossroads® which includes live shows, craft demonstrations, shopping and dining. 

Underground Atlanta
Six city blocks have been transformed into a spirited marketplace that offers historic guided tours, more than 100 specialty stores, Kenny’s Alley, the trendy hangout with exciting nightlife and restaurants, street-cart merchants and annual events. The Peach Drop, the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the Southeast, St Patrick’s Day Festival, and Heritage Arts Festival are just a few of the special events that take place. 

Upscale Shopping
The latest fashions and today’s trends can be also found across Peachtree at another exquisite Simon property – Phipps Plaza. Phipps spells luxury with stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo and more. If you like art and antiques, don’t forget Miami Circle known around the world for its museum quality antiques, estate jewelry, rare book galleries, and show rooms of unique lighting. The Bennett Street District in south Buckhead, also boasts some of the best antiques and art in Atlanta. Last but not least, The Galleries of Peachtree Hills houses 24 distinctive antique and art galleries in a five-building complex designed in classical French style. 

Yellow River Game Ranch and Kangaroo Conservation Center
Visit the 24-acre Yellow River Game Ranch set on a naturally wooded preserve along the banks of the Yellow River. It features more than 600 native Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee. The Kangaroo Conservation Center is America’s Aussie Adventure, home to the largest population of kangaroos outside of Australia. 

Zoo Atlanta
Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta features more than 200 species of animals from the African plains and Asian forests. See Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small clawed otters and Sumatran tigers, plus a pair of Giant Pandas and a new panda cub. The Ford African Rain Forest houses one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North America with a total of 24 gorillas.

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It’s almost absurd to think that is a possibility these days.  Just think about it…. you’ve been longing for your annual vacation which you’ve planned with your partner, friends or family for a long time.  You’ve spent hours researching the most desirable location, you’ve packed your best vacation clothes, you’ve booked a wonderful hotel on Expedia, you’ve planned your activities, you’ve practiced your golf swing, and you’re thinking about your first margarita.  Now you just have to get there. 

But you know your vacation isn’t going to start until you actually arrive at your destination.  You know you have to go through the battle of travelling on the airlines with the road warrior, the mother and wriggly child, or the stranger who saw your socks when you removed your shoes at the longer-than-long secuity line.  You know that you won’t truly be able to relax and be in vacation-mode until you actually step out of the bustling airport.  But is there an alternative? 

I can tell you that there is.  Before I started working in general aviation, I never even thought it a possibility that I could fly on a private jet or turbo-prop airplane.  It seemed way beyond my reach…they’re just for rockstars flying to resorts right?  Wrong.  CFM has just started operating a 30 seat Jestream 41 which would be perfect for a group of people to get together and fly to a beach destination like Destin for the weekend, maybe hunting in Arkansas, or shopping in New York?  These airplanes are economical, time saving, comfortable and you get to skip the big airline terminal experience entirely. 

So how does your vacation start at the airport?  This is how, and I know because I’ve done it:

You arrive at the airport 15 minutes before your wheels up departure time.

You grab yourself a coffee and hand your luggage to the crew (you can see your bags being handled and put gently onto the airplane).

You step out onto the ramp and take your seat in a comfortable aircraft with smiling crew and passengers who are as excited as you are to be heading to their destination. After all, the passengers are your friends or family.

You land at your destination and walk through a lovely lobby of an FBO to your waiting transportation, and head on to your resort to enjoy your one vacation a year! 

So, now you just have to find some friends to travel with right?  How many friends do you have on facebook?  And how many friends do your friends have?

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After a six month hiatus from flying, I am finally back in the left seat!  And the one thing that has become apparent to me since starting up again is how the end result of some things we choose to do is worth enduring discomfort or hard work.  And this pertains to everything we choose to do in life.  If you don’t enjoy it, then why do it?  Well, of course sometimes there are things we have no choice in, but with flying, this is something I choose to do.  It can be uncomfortable at times  – like the first time Kirk pushed my head into my lap, put the plane in an unusual attitude and said “your airplane.”  He then gave me controls while I was wearing a hood which didn’t allow me to see outside of the cockpit; so, I had to use only the instruments to regain control, returning to normal and level flight.  It can also be hard – like when I have to spend my weekends studying for a ground school test, while everyone else is out having a good time in the gorgeous Tennessee spring weather.  But if you love something, all the other “stuff” becomes worth it. 

During the time I was not flying, I studied only a little (because I hate to), but then ramped up my efforts as the time I knew I would be back up flying again drew closer.  On Monday of this week, I took my first flight in the Katana DA20.  Now you might remember I was flying a Cessna 152 last year, but due to maintenance issues, I had to change to the DA20.  The switch was what took me so long to get back to flying; but, now I’ve done it and and I’ve jumped back in. 

I was nervous about flying again after so long, and especially because I had never flown this type of aircraft before.  But let me tell you, I love this airplane!  All the line service staff at CFM told me I would, but I still had a soft spot for the Cessna 152.  Well, now that I have flown this airplane a few times, I think it is just wonderful.  The canopy allows for a better visual, and it is a very easy airplane to fly.  Steering with brakes is the one thing which has me a little rattled.  Because the nose wheel of the DA20 is not linked to the rudder pedals, turns while taxiing must be made with differential braking.  I was a little swirly on the runway the first time I had to takeoff, but thankfully, Kirk was there to keep me on the runway.  I know in a few lessons I’ll have that down.

I’m somewhat starting all over again lesson-wise, but I’m okay with that because I’m excited to be flying again!  And all the study and discomfort that I know I will sometimes experience in this learning process will pay off with the fact in all the fun I have flying.  I guess the one thing I’m saying here is that sometimes we have to do things we don’t like, but look at what you get at the end.  What do they say?  No pain, no gain?    

I’m going to be blogging about my experiences on a regular basis again.  So follow me along the path to becoming a pilot, because I am definitely going to be sharing some interesting stories, on life in the left seat, and life in general.

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Glamping at "Tent City", Paws Up, Montana.

Working in the private jet business, I know all too well that maximizing time is one very important factor for the business traveler today.  Well, what about the leisure traveler?  If you had a choice to start your vacation from the moment you stepped onto a beautifully appointed private aircraft, or rather endure a very long and irksome commercial flight where the vacation doesn’t actually start until you are finally able to walk through the airport exit, wouldn’t you choose the former?  Well, how about an outdoor experience where all of the frustrating elements are removed and you are able to maximize your leisure time by doing the fun activities you head out into the open yonder for? 

 Now I love the idea of sitting around a campfire and getting out amongst nature, but cringe when faced with the thought of struggling with tent poles, sleeping on a lumpy ground and bugs.  “Glamping” (glamorous camping) has taken camping to another level, one that involves your very own butler! Waking up in the morning on 300-count cotton sheets to the sound of water rushing over the rocks of the legendary Blackfoot River, and actually knowing where my toothbrush is, makes for a great start to the day.  No longer having to scurry around looking for firewood to start the morning breakfast or sleep in a musty smelling sleeping bag.  This new style of camping will allow you to enjoy every moment of your outdoor adventure, without the frustrating elements which bring you down from your fresh-air-high.  We live in an era where we are always looking for ways to maximize our time.  We can do this by flying private instead of commercial, we can text 5 people in seconds, and we can have our campsite butler do the dirty work!  

 Glamping sites are popping up everywhere, and at Paws Up in Montana none of the creature comforts of home are missed.  Your 270-square-foot, beautifully-appointed tent comes complete with king-sized bed, electricity, spacious deck, nearby private master bathroom (with heated floor), twice-daily housekeeping service and butler-prepared gourmet meals.  I mean really, who wants to collect firewood and cook canned food at the end of a long day of horse riding or golf?  It allows you to sit, wine in hand on your very own deck and take in the fresh air, the spectacular view and delight in the fact that you are glamping, not camping.     

With glamping’s focus on comfort and convenience, it is easy to spend most of your time doing what you really want to do when you camp, and that is experience the outdoors. For me, you’d have a hard time getting me off of the saddle of a horse, but you might find your favorite place to be on a mountain bike, behind the wheel of an ATV, or breaking in a new pair of hiking boots.  Every day brings new beauty and adventure and since the warm summer days in Montana seem to never get dark, you will fill your adventure vacation with hundreds of moments you’ll never forget – from the very moment you step onto your private aircraft.

Glamping is for those only wanting to sleep under “5 stars”.

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I can’t remember what it was like the first time I flew, but I was fortunate enough to get a taste of that incredible feeling when I watched three very special girls take their first flight ever. 

Alexis (8), Sidney (9) and Skylar (10) come from a East Tennessee, an area hard hit by the recession.  But from the beaming smiles on their faces, you wouldn’t know it.  The three little girls from Huntingdon were excited to be spending their first vacation with their Great Uncle Mike, and he wanted the girls to experience many firsts; firsts which may kids their ages from more affluent areas of the country have experienced by now.  Mike took the girls to the mall for the first time, made a pizza from scratch, and went boating, all of which they had never done.  But he had the brilliant idea that a first flight in an airplane would help him clinch the title of The Greatest Great-Uncle Ever!  If the girls’ expressions were anything to go by, he was on to something.

I met the girls at the FBO, and they were quiet and shy at first, but I’m sure that was because of the nerves. I took them out onto the ramp and showed them some of our larger turbo-prop Jetstreams.  Their eyes grew wide with each cool new thing I showed them; the large propellers, the plush interior of the airplane, and the cockpit with a million knobs and buttons.  I could hear the trepidation in their voices as they asked me questions, and then see the excitement in their faces and as we inched closer to the little Diamond DA40, which would be their plane for the next hour.

After some photos of Great Uncle Mike and the girls beside the airplane, Paul Lamb (the Owner of Wings of Eagles), and Chris  Carnett (the flight instructor who was taking the girls on the flight) met with the girls and made sure that they were buckled in nicely, and had their headsets on correctly. 

Then, Chris closed the canopy, fired up the engine, and then off they went!    

Excitement and nerves are an uncomfortable feeling for some.  But others just love it.  I guess that’s why there are adrenalin junkies out there, and then those who wish to only do the things they are comfortable with.  I was really proud of Alexis, Sidney and Skylar.  They stepped out of their comfort zone.  They tried something new.  They got to fly! 

If there is one thing I hope they took away from this experience, it is a sense of accomplishment and fearlessness.  I hope they continue to find the inspiration to keep exploring new things throughout their life.  

Kudos to Great Uncle Mike!

The letters below were written by the girls after the flight:

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A recent article on www.roadwarriortips.com revealed what are the most business friendly states in the US.  And with many business travelers who utilize private charter aircraft, I thought this might be an interesting read.

And I’ll be honest, they are not the ones I would have picked right off, but after reading this article… yeah, it makes sense these were chosen. 

The article reads:   

Highlights from a recent reportby Development Counselors International on states with a favorable business environment are revealing.  One of the important findings of this report is that amount of business travel is a key influencer on where to locate new business operations.  Another, clearly related, focus of the report was to rank states based on their business-friendly environment. 

Ranked from first to third by business development executives are: Texas, North Carolina and Georgia. 

Beyond their attraction for business, each state has great attractions that make business travel as enjoyable as it is profitable.  Texas, for example, has two huge cities and plenty of fun smaller towns.  Houston, that state’s largest city, may have 25 Fortune 500 companies, but it is also home to amazing sightseeing attractions like the Johnson Space Center and a Theater District that is second only to New York City. 

North Carolina is not only one of America’s major banking centers, it also is a thriving agricultural state.  Tourists love North Carolina and have made it the sixth most visited state in the Union.   This state has it all, from a magnificent coast with beautiful barrier islands to the majestic Great Smoky Mountains. 

Known for luscious peaches, Georgia is full of wonderful places to see and things to do.  Be adventurous and take a boat tour of the Okefenokee Swamp, immerse yourself in colonial history in Savannah or tour Atlanta, one of the most exciting cities in the Southeast. 

So, next time you take a business trip to somewhere in this beautiful and diverse country, why not take at look at what the area has to offer?  Put down your iPhone for a few hours, put on some sneakers and see what’s on offer.  You might even get back from your business trip feeling better than when you left! 

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