New photography venture- Aerial pictures of farms

A month or so ago, a realtor contacted Shane about taking some aerial pictures of farms that were going up for auction.  After planning, some studying, and lots of map prep we were ready to give it a go.  The  first time up we had some issues with the navigation aides, but we got most of the kinks worked out.    Yesterday, I spent two and a half hours in the air shooting farms.  It was more challenging than I thought it'd be, but was a good experience.  We now have a system, and are ready to take on more if the need arises.  Here are some pics from the shoot. 

             This picture was taken shortly after take-off.  The grass makes it look like it's fall not July.

Air to Air Photography of the Duchess

Shane's been wanting to get some air to air pictures of his Duchess, and we finally found some time on Friday to go up.  Shane flew the Duchess and one of his pilot's flew me in the Cessna 172.  Here are a few of the pictures that we got.  They may or may not be enhanced on photoshop. 

We saw some balloons too!

Rudder shmudder- Crosswind landings in Extreme Iowa heat

"More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive of such a combination."
                                                          ~Wilbur Wright



I think this quote pretty much sums up how I feel about flying.  It makes me feel better knowing that the Great Father of Flight and I are on the same page.  Flying, hmmm.  I've been going up about once a week, sometimes twice.  The primary instructor change has gone pretty smoothly, and I'm adjusting to a different teaching style.  It's much more disciplined and regimented these days, because my goals for flying have changed.  That being said I really miss flying with my Shane.  I'm hoping we can make some time very soon to go up together, just for fun.


I'm still waiting for my second solo, and haven't been able to do so again because of the weather.  My CFI and I were talking the other day, and he said he didn't think he'd ever flown with me on a calm day.  He was right!  It seems as if every scheduled lesson lately the temperature is 100 plus degrees complete with a crosswind. The very first time I flew with him was at the end of the May, and that was when I had my first crosswind experience.  I know all this wind experience will make me a better pilot, but it's exhausting when extreme heat is added in.  I would dare say that I've lost a pound or more just sweating during flying lessons.  I hate sweating/being hot and have very seriously considered putting my flying lessons on hold until fall.  The airplane I'm training in isn't air conditioned.  There is a ventilation system that works great at cooling the airplane down when you are at higher altitudes, but it doesn't cool the airplane much during pattern flying.  I've been hanging in there, but don't know how much longer I can endure in the flying sauna.  I'm pretty confident in the fact that my brain doesn't function at full capacity when it's over 90 degrees.  That's my excuse at least for the mistakes I make during my lessons.  Don't worry I make sure to remind err whine to my CFI of the less than desirable conditions.  It's probably good I'm not flying with Shane right now, because he'd probably have beat me over the head already.  


My lesson on Saturday was scheduled for five which is normally a pretty calm part of the day.  I wasn't totally surprised when I got out to the airport and Shane and CFI told me that it had been calm all day, but the winds just started to pick up.  Really, What the World?  If I believed in karma and bad luck, I would've turned around and left.  It seemed as if the stars weren't aligning for a reason.  My recent flying experiences have helped me to I've pick up the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" train of thought.  I headed out to the airplane for my pre-flight.  Once the pre-flight was complete I ran inside to wash the yuck off my hands.  I don't think I've ever completed a pre-flight that didn't require me to wash my hands afterwards.  My clean hands and I headed back to the airplane where CFI was waiting.  I worked through the check list and listened to the automated weather twice.  I had spaced off listening for the altimeter information the first time.  Shortly after, we began our taxi to one six.  One six isn't my preferred end of the runway, but I guess it's good practice to be conquering crosswinds on the more challenging (for me) end of the runway.  


Once the run-up was finished, I made my radio call that I was departing one six.  I got all lined up and prepared for take-off.  I could feel the pull of the crosswind as soon as I had the airplane in the air. My first take-off probably wasn't one of my better ones, but at least I knew what I needed to do for the next go around.  Once I was in the air, I needed a reminder or two about using more right rudder.  I think I naturally gravitate to putting more pressure on the left rudder, because I'm left handed.  During the lesson I'm sure I heard "more right rudder" at least a handful of times.  I was even correcting for it at one point when I heard those dreaded words slip out of my CFI's mouth.  Grrr, at least he's on top of his game. 


I did a few less than desirable landings that involved some help from my CFI.  I needed to compensate for the winds by adding in corrections with the right rudder as well as the ailerons.  It took me more landings then I care to admit before I got two good safe landings.  I would've been content to quit after one good one, but CFI thought we should try for one more.  Luckily, I didn't disappoint.  My last landing was pretty sweet. He told me at the end of the lesson he was ready to cut me loose to try a few on my own, but I was wiped.  I'd had a long week and looked forward to relaxing with my boys instead.  I figured I'd give it a fighting chance the next week, weather permitting of course.  One more small step towards my pilot's license.  The more time I invest the more motivated I am to see it through to completion.  Here's to calm winds for next time!

Pattern Flying in pictures

"A pictures is worth a thousand words"

Frederick R.Barnard

I'm flying with one of Shane's CFI's about once a week nowadays.  Shane and I'll will still do the cross country and night flying.  We decided it would be best for the weekly stuff to happen with an instructor other than him.  Due to the weather I haven't been able to solo again, but I'm crossing my fingers that we get a calm day soon!  The tricky part is getting a calm day that works with my schedule.  Iowa weather can be soo frustrating!    I thought I'd share some pictures of what I've been up to lately.
 FYI-  The instructor was flying while I was shooting!

Getting ready to take-off

and we're up

This is where I make my radio call "Pella Traffic 27Gulf is downwind for one six Pella"

 It's about here that I pull my my carb heat on, reduce my speed, and put 10 degrees of flaps on. I know this because the wing tip is directly across from the runway.  The picture below shows this a bit better.

View out the window while turning

One step closer to landing.  I love the sky in this picture.

You can see my pretty camera strap cover in the instruments

 I'm ALWAYS watching my airspeed!

On the base leg, getting ready to turn for final.

Lining up with the runway

Almost on the ground

June 21- The Solo

"Aviation is proof that given, the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible."

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do.  There can be no courage unless you're scared."

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker

The way the day went I'd have never guessed that I'd solo on June 21.  I'd flown that afternoon with Shane's other CFI and we ended up fighting some wind.  I finished the lesson and was a bit frustrated with myself. I worked at the airport the rest of the afternoon and tried to learn how to update the website.  And I thought flying was tough.  Shane finished with a student about seven, and we decided since it was a nice night that we'd do a little flying.  I really had no expectations but hoped I'd make some more progress with my landings.  

Shane and I teamed up on the preflight and soon we were ready to go.  After the checklist and run up were complete we were ready to go.  I prepared to take-off from three four.  I've had a love/hate relationship with that end of the runway.   My best landings have been on three four on the flip side some of my worst ones have been too.  I took off and worked my way around the pattern.  The air was smooth and the evening light beautiful!  My first couple landings were ok, but I was a little too early on my flares.  My third landing was less than stellar and I ended up pretty close to tears.  Shane was able to get me to snap out of it.  I won't repeat what he said because that isn't important.  The tough love approach worked, I think he shocked me out of my funk.  I relaxed, did what I needed to do, and had two textbook landings.  After the second landing Shane asked me if I was ready to go by myself.  My confidence was building, but I wanted to go around one more time before I went on my own.  I went around one more time with Shane, had a good landing, and was ready to go it alone.

We taxied towards the ramp, Shane briefed me, and then I was all by myself.  I patiently waited for some traffic to clear the runway (which was actually Shane's uncle).  Once he was clear, I made my radio call, and started my back taxi to three four.  I was amazingly relaxed as I did the taxi.   I got  lined up on the runway and said a little prayer.  All to soon it was go time, because daylight was fading fast.  I gave it full power and soon I was in the air all by myself.  It was quite a rush!  I knew exactly what I needed to do and I did it.  I stayed relaxed and didn't overanalyze.  I never once looked over to the other seat to confirm I was alone.  I was afraid if I did I would freak out!  I remember every detail about flying until I got to the end of the downwind. I do remember saying another little prayer before I pulled the carb heat on. I asked God to get me safely on the ground to my little guy.  It was weird because I wasn't really nervous; I just wanted to have a good safe landing.  The next thing I remember was being on the runway after completing a safe and smooth landing.  Once I realized I was on the ground I started to tear up.  They were tears of relief, happiness, and pride.  I'd overcome a lot of obstacles to get to this point, and I was proud that I accomplished this goal.  The goal of solo flight has probably been the most challenging goal I've set for myself.  Flying has stretched me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I am glad that I did it, and that Shane and I will someday be able to share this adventure with Sullivan.  It is now part of our story and I think we're both beyond excited that it is.

Here are some FAQs about my solo flight

Were you scared?  No, I knew exactly what I needed to do to make it a safe flight and landing.  I had well over twenty hours of flying with experienced instructors before I went on my own.  I'd venture to say that 10-15 of those hours were just flying around the pattern at Pella to polish take-offs and landings.  I was a little nervous about having a good landing though especially since I'm not real fond of go arounds.

What was it like to fly by yourself/did you look in the seat next to you?  Flying by myself was not much different than flying with an instructor. I've been flying the airplane on my own lately, but receiving feedback from the instructors.  It was liberating to know that the instructors had confidence in my ability to fly on my own though. I was also so focused on getting the job done that I didn't really get to fully enjoy the moment.


I only looked over at the other seat one time and that was when I latched the door shut after Shane got out.  I didn't look over to the other seat on purpose, because I was afraid I'd jinx myself.

Did you notice that the airplane was lighter without the instructor?  I was too focused on flying the airplane that I didn't notice.

Will you finish and get your private pilot's license?  I'm taking one flight at a time.  I'd like to finish it, but I'm just going to play it by ear.  There is a big time commitment involved and our family is very busy.  I'm also learning I don't like being in the airplane on a super hot day, being drenched in sweat in a hot airplane does nothing for me.

Will Shane continue as your instructor?  Yes and no.  Shane is super busy right now.  It's hard to for us to find time to fly that doesn't cut into our family time.  We plan on doing some cross country and night flying together this summer.  I will fly on a more consistent basis with one of his other instructors. I'm pretty comfortable flying with both of them so it shouldn't be to big of a deal.

Favorite part of flying?  Greasing a landing hands down and the exhilaration of being in the air on a calm night is a close second.

Least favorite part of flying?  The preflight.  I always ended up with grease, oil, and fuel on myself.  I hate being dirty and smelly.  

SOLO- I DID IT! June 21, 2012

I finally did it!  I can now cross fly an airplane on my own off the bucket list.  The longest 7 minutes of Shane's life.  You can check out more details at https://www.facebook.com/flyclassicaviation
I'll post more soon!

Perspective - Week of June 11

“Child, you have to learn to see things in the right proportions. Learn to see great things great and small things small.” 

Corrie Ten Boom

As I type this my boys are on their way to Sully with our Cessna 120.  The plan is to drop in and visit Shane's dad.  A perfect Father's day for guys who have created a rich aviation family history. The 120 is very special to Shane and I, and now to Shane and Sullivan.  The two seats limit family trips, but I'm glad that my boys can create wonderful memories together.  Shane was gone to Kansas for jet recurrent training from Sunday to Wednesday of this week.  He felt that in his absence I should get some flying in since I'd just switched airplanes.  We had hoped to squeeze in some flying last weekend, but it didn't happen.  We both had terribly crazy weekends which seems to be the normal for us lately.   Tuesday and Wednesday I did some flying with one of his instructors.  I'd been in a bit of a funk with my landings and was just starting to overcome the huge mental block I'd created for myself.

We flew in the evening on Tuesday which worked out well since I'd been working at the airport late that afternoon.  It started off a bit rough.  I worked through the check list at a snail's pace which was frustrating. I'd gotten pretty efficient at it in 3NK and had to retrain myself for 27G.  The first couple of landings were far from outstanding, but we worked through them.  It was after those landings that the CFI gave me some good visuals I needed to watch for.  It was like a light bulb went on, and my landings got a little better each time.  I'm such a visual learner so this was huge for me.  When I need to learn something on photoshop I hit the YouTube videos first.  I was actually so excited about it that I brought my camera the next day. I wanted to capture what a correct landing would look like.  Sadly, the next day was a bit bumpy so it was hard to get good pictures.  When I replay a landing in my head   I can't remember what I saw out the window.  It all happens so fast and my brain is too focused on getting the plane safely on the ground.  I'm looking forward to a calm day in the near future so we can experiment with the my camera and the InFlight video camera that Shane has.  I think a whole new dimension could be added to flight instruction at Classic.

Wednesday was a crazy day for me, but I managed to get out to the airport for another lesson.  I was a little concerned when I got to the airport and found out we'd be fighting a crosswind.  The last crosswind lesson with Shane left me feeling nauseous and defeated. I knew it was part of learning to fly, but I was still holding out hope that the FAA would issue a fair weather pilot's license (no crosswind training required).  We flew at one which was actually the earliest in the day I've ever flown.  The bad part was it was HOT!  I think I sweated through my shirt repeatedly in that hour.  The awesome part was that I wasn't totally exhausted like I normally am in the evening.  I found my reaction time was better, and I didn't seem to be as emotionally reactive when I made mistakes.  I was able to get through the checklist in a more timely manner which makes me think I'm starting to adjust to 27G (but don't tell my instructors). I think we did six landings and by the end I was shot.  Landing in a crosswind is physically exhausting, because you're manhandling the airplane to correct for the wind that's trying to push you off the runway.

I was tired but triumphant after the lesson!  I felt like I made some real progress with crosswind landings, and am finally starting to regain some of my confidence back.  I missed flying with Shane, but the change in perspective helped me make some serious gains.  Plus, I found someone else at Classic that likes iced coffees.  Shane doesn't really understand my excitement about a mocha frozito from The Brew since he doesn't like anything coffee related.  If you haven't had one you're missing out!  All in all it was a great day with a perfect ending, Shane came home.  He breezed right through his recurrent training like I knew he would.  Needless to say we were both ready for bed that night.  Hopefully, I'll continue to move forward with flying and be able to solo soon.