Saturday, July 18, 2015

It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Me In A Plane!

I've been wanting to learn to fly for quite awhile now, and I may be on my way.

For Father's Day, Tash and the kids had bought me an intro flight at Flight 101, and I had it booked for today at 3pm.

Looking at the weather and walking the dog in a sudden rain shower at 1pm had me worried as to if we would have to reschedule, but the rain ended and the clouds parted so that it was a VFR with over 6sm visibility day with the overcast layer way up there and not a factor.

So I arrived at Flight 101, and checked in and met my flight instructor, Sean, for the ride.

It was a very hot and humid day, so hot and humid that the engine of the Cessna 172 we were about to fly in wanted to give some issues starting, but once it was running it was smooth as silk.

The instructor handled the radios, takeoff and some maneuvering to get us past an aircraft towing a banner that the tower was rather concerned about, then he put us on a course for Detroit and let me fly.

We flew by the downtown and to the Ambassador Bridge and I was at the controls enjoying myself profusely and admiring the view. Then he got the controls and I got to take some pictures.

So here we are at 2,750 feet, under Detroit's Class Bravo airspace and having a great time.

Here's a nice shot of the Ren Cen with a freighter on the river, the Ambassador Bridge to the lower right, and Canada in the background:

Flying over the Detroit area highways sure beats driving on them.

We flew over a truck yard:

We also flew over this interesting building complex that stood out from the rows of houses:

I then put the camera away, and I got to fly us back to the airport, where Sean then took over and put it down with the greatest of ease.

It was awesome, and I had no problem keeping the plane straight and level as well as doing a few minor turns.

I'm going to need to sign up and schedule some lessons sometime real soon.....

18 comments:

Home on the Range said...

That's a familiar view and brings back a lot of memories of the great little 172 I built up a lot my hours towards the commercial in. It's a fun, very stable bird.

juvat said...

Welcome to the brotherhood, Padawan Learner! May your judgement expand at a much faster rate than your luck is consumed. (A statement made by the General who spoke at my UPT graduation). Finally, remember "It is always better to be down here wishing you were up there than the opposite."

Murphy's Law said...

Well there goes the neighborhood.

Seriously, congrats! Now make it work.

Aaron said...

Brigid: It was so much fun I'm still reliving the experience 7 hours later. The 172 definitely felt nice and stable up there, it practically flew itself.

juvat: Thank you kindly good sir! Words of wisdom to live by.

ML: Just you wait....

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Fly like you drive; avoid flying like ML drives, and you will be fine.

ProudHillbilly said...

From what ML says I'm surprised you made it go fast enough to get airborn...:-)

ProudHillbilly said...

From what ML says I'm surprised you made it go fast enough to get airborn...:-)

ProudHillbilly said...

From what ML says I'm surprised you made it go fast enough to get airborn...:-)

Aaron said...

WSF: Those are words of wisdom to live by indeed.

PH: I was flapping my wings as hard as I could, guess it worked.

Old NFO said...

It's a BIG commitment... Hope you enjoy it! :-)

On a Wing and a Whim said...

Have fun, good luck, and may the weather be with you!

Comrade Misfit said...

Welcome to the Tribe, Grasshopper!

Getting a pilot's license takes a lot of time, dedication and, of course, money.

I hope you can stick with it. For flying is about the most fun that you can have with your clothes on.

Aaron said...

Old NFO - Thanks, I plan to enjoy it immensely. I made the call to begin the official lessons today and I'll keep people appraised of my progress.

On A Wing and A Whim: Thanks!

Comrade Misfit: Thanks much. I plan to stick with it and make it happen.

Unknown said...

Just remember this simple motto: Push forward on the stick, things on the ground get bigger. Pull back on the stick, they get smaller. Keep pulling back, things start getting bigger again quickly!
Have fun!

Robert Fowler said...

Good luck and safe flying.

Aaron said...

Keads: Thanks!

Unknown: Funny, that's just what the instructor said when he handed the controls over to me on the flight.

Robert Fowler: Thanks!

Anonymous said...

That's neat. Though now in Florida I would guess you live in the Detroit area. I grew up in Northville. Practiced in St. Joseph/Berrien County for a bit before "retiring."

Enjoy your site.

Brian.

Aaron said...

flagunblog: I do indeed. I was just over in Northville today. Thanks, and I'm glad you enjoy the site.