Aviation Love Flow

Hello Fellow Fantastic Flying Friends!

I hope 2015 has started off great for you all and has included some awesome ️flying! Mine has, including a few of my best flights to date this month. WOOHOO! Eager to stay this pattern!:-D

Flying, for me, is an Aviation Love Flow. A winning recipe includes clear planning prior to flight, a great takeoff, turns enroute, adjusting, refining, & a great landing that makes you feel a big YESSS in every cell. Great weather helps, too!:-)

I reflect on why I flying resonates with me so strongly. It's the sense of growth and personal accomplishments in a challenging field most do not partake in. It's all the amazing feelings And memories I gain. It's also fellow pilots I meet that match that extraordinary passion and energy in how they fly & live!

I have yet to meet a pilot who was like, "Meeeeeh..." when I've chatted with them about flying. Regardless if they are active or haven't flown for a while, there is a fire in the eyes and the love for flight palpatable. That Rocks!

In connecting with fellow pilots, I value that passion and enthusiasm we share for this extraodinary field. This type of planning and discipline applies to many facets of a successful path in Life, aviation and beyond.

Aviation to me is a wonderous blend of passion, determination, perseverance and being in tune and nimble to adjust along the way for better performance. Personally, there are few things I have found in Life that demand your best to this degree, to focus everything on these flying moments, to show up giving your best everytime and never want for complacency. Flying is one of those things to me. That is how I'm wired, so I value the alignment of those standards I feel I get in aviation. I celebrate my growing skills/experience and am eager to improve, all while learning more. I love the challenges and learnings I gain. It's making for a better version of me!

Shoutout to great things that support my journey to find my wings --> great FBOs & crews like mine, NKA, CFIs like Jim Oddono & Matt Welch who are setting me up for success, fellow pilots I connect with that inspire and share insights with me that enhance my journey and organizations like AOPA & EAA that support General Aviation efforts/education and safety. 

Life moves fast. I challenge you, like I do myself, to keep doing great things that make the journey an EPIC one!

What is Aviation to you? How does it make you feel when you fly? 

Here are a few pictures & YouTube videos caught on my GoPro from my flights this month. 

This is my flying love face. You'll see it in often in my flight posts! 

I love wearing it.:-)

1/2/2015: W96, New Kent Aviation (NKA), Virginia. 

A little drizzle, but still VFR! My focus in this day was pattern work and finesse my landings. It was great flying! I was very pleased with my TP setups & landings. So was my CFI, Jim Oddono!

Love the patchwork design from up high 

Post flight smiles! 

1/5/2015: W96, New Kent & KRIC, Richmond International Airport Virginia back to W96

My birthday flight rocked! Was a tad windy, but not too terrible. It was my first time flying with NKAs new full time CFI Matt Welch. On a social media plug note, I'm active on it. I actually met Mat through LinkedIn before I met him in person at NKA. That was a cool example of how digital connections can enhance your reach to connect with great contacts!

So this flight we did a XWind take off and landing at W96, then headed to KRICs towered airport. I wanted to observe Matt's radio handlings. There was activity there. We came in behind a jetliner, big guy so he ensured we kept a safe distance. We did 3 touch and gos. Runway 34 seemed like it went on forever (was very long) for our little Cessna 152!:-) I like the added challenges of all the activity happening at this airport. Keeps you on your toes even more than usual! It was a fun flight with new learnings.

Winds

Me getting prepped.  am sporting a Wazoo survival tools parachord bracelet. Love their products! Bringing 'Be Prepared' to a new level. I likie! My favorites are the Adventure bracelet, this Zombie bracelet, & Woodchuck key chains. Check out their site: http://www.wazoosurvivalgear.com

Check out my product review on their survival skills bracelet on my Adventure blog:

Enroute to KRIC

LOVE this view!

We spotted and came in after this big guy! Seeing the passengers de-plane as we climbed out.. They looked like ants!!!

Here's Matt in action!

KRIC

Hard to see, but there are the National Guard helicopters. I LOVE helicopters! 

Working it! Line up for landing runway 34.

Back to W96

I see my car!:-)

Post flight smiles! Check out that sock. Windy!

1/19/2015 - New Kent W96 to West Point KFYJ to Hummel W75 back to W96 

Great flight to 2 different FBOs, KFYJ and my first time landing at W75. Shortest runway I've landed to date (2270x45). 

I planned out the routes to identify key landmarks along the way. I'm very pleased I spotted everything I wanted to get us to and from each location. I'm still working ing in finessing my landings. I was most pleased with my second landing at W75, which I share in a link below.

Here is Stuart, Director of Maintenance (aka the mastermind keeping the planes in tip top shape!) and Matt rolling out this mighty 152 lil' guy who's ready to be flown!:-)

Here's a few pictures: Upper left - Me with Stuart. Shoutout to the crews who ensure the planes are at their best! Upper right: Smiles with the Champ in the background. I must fly him this year. Lower left: High Altitude smile from beautiful Virginia! Lower right: Post flight smile. Another great day of Flying Virginia! 

Taking off w96

On Final KFYJ

Traveling to W75

On Final W75

W75, it's been fun. Time to head back to W96!

Below are two GoPro videos caught on this flight. I added music to this footage, so buckle up and enjoy the view on this virtual ride with me! They were a blast! I hope it leaves a smile on your face and the want to get more air time, fellow pilots. I know I'm ready to get UP again!❤️✈

Takeoff at New Kent #W96 Click here

Landing at Hummel #75 Click here 

Pilots ~ What is your favorite FBO to land at and what are those runway dimensions? I'd love to hear. May inspire a future trip for me!

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Emily

Helicopters, Planes, Drones, Heli Tours, Social Night ~ Oh My!! Featured Pilot Spotlight: Meet Mark Robinson, Chief Pilot at Revolution Aviation. Living it UP & helping So Cali pilots Find Their Wings!!

Hello my Fellow Fantastic Fierce Flying Friends!! I hope the year has started off strong for you. It has for me with two awesome flights and my first 2015 Featured Pilot Spotlight to share with you all! WooHoo!

I'm THRILLED to introduce you to Chief Pilot Mark Robinson, head of Revolution Aviation. Check out this picture! 

In my best Archer impersonation ~ DANNNGGAAAA ZZOONNEEE 

Looking great, Mark!

Revolution Aviation caught my eye last year in the way they were using Instagram (IG) to promote their business and services. Good vibes, energy & FUN pop out in what they share in their IG feed. 

Initially, I thought they just did helicopter training. Checking out their site, I found an impressive array of services!! In flight training they cover include helicopter, plane and UAV drone training. They have a slick pilots lounge, are loaded with flight resources, weather/flight planning, handbooks, maps, and more. 

They're setting themselves apart from other flight schools, from what I am seeing, in using digital promotions and showcasing the fun they are having while effectively training a future wave a pilots. They do a social event and are actively using a variety of social media channels. Great ways to grow and keep their aviation community connected, both in person and online!

Without further delay, it gives me immense pleasure to introduce to you Chief Pilot Mark Robinson and share his Spotlight Pilot Interview responses. Enjoy the ride!!

Question 1: Tell me your Love at First Flight story and how you fell in love with aviation - where & when was your first flight? Also, what did you fly?

My first flight was in London, England when I was working as a Currency Broker. We achieved our targets and were rewarded with a helicopter flight from our office to London, Heathrow. I was hooked. After that on every vacation I took a helicopter ride. We flew on a Bell Longranger. I didn't know that at the time, haha.

 

Question 2: What is the best advice you can give to fellow pilots?

I was recently featured in an industry magazine called Rotorcraft, Pro. They asked me the same question. I said Touch everything - this means before and after flight. Make sure you walk around and make sure doors have pins in, fuel and oil caps are on etc. I want to emphasize to always do a walk around before and after flight to not get complacent.

Question 3: What is your favorite part of being involved in aviation?

• I didn't really know it at the time, it has taken me years to realize how fun aviation is. I would travel a lot as a child, teenager and for work. I always loved flying. Then one day I needed a new challenge and decided to learn how to fly. Having finished my studies and being hired straight out of flight school I realized that this career path can literally take you anywhere. I've flown for police, sport stars, Robinson Helicopter Factory, Goodyear Airship and now have my add-on in planes! It is SUCH a fun industry and now we've met you while I work for Revolution Aviation as Chief Pilot!

Question 4: What is the best eating spots you've found in your aviation travels?

Catalina by far. The trip over from John Wayne Airport is fun, it's beautiful and the Buffalo burger is making me hungry just thinking about it! Lucky for us here in SoCal there are many restaurants. 

 

 Question 5: What are your favorite airports that you've flown into and why?

I really like Burbank Airport north of Los Angeles. This is because I do a lot of training. When students have to talk on the radio several time and switch between intersecting runways I'd say you've got your hands full. I like a challenge and what better way then the deep end at a Class C. Not recommend for student pilots however.

Here are a couple more action shots. Blue skies, big smiles & looking great!

High altitude Cheese:-D ROCKS!!

Live in Southern California? Find your wings at Revolution Aviation!

Mark, thank you SO much for sharing your time and responses with me. I really enjoyed reading about how you found your Wings!!:-) I also appreciate the tips and insights shared. The aviation world is something truly unique. I, too, knew during that first flight that flying was something I love. 

I have gratitude for great CFIs, like yourself, who are helping train the next wave of pilots and being a positive, active part in their journey to Find their Wings!! Also, big shout out to organizations like AOPA & EAA who make a difference in our ability to do what we love... Living it UP!!:-D

I value each Featured Pilot Spotlight interviewee because they have shared time to provide responses that delight and inspire! A great story is meant to be shared. I genuinely enjoy sharing them and getting to know each pilot better through the process. The pilot community is a fun filled, stimulating one. I'm grateful to have found my passion for flight and to be a part of it!

Mark, when I'm back to visit friends in So Cali, I'll have to swing by for a flight. Question is, could I fast rope rappel from your helicopter?!! Done safely, that'd be some Revolutionary adventure! ;-)

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Flying Friends! Follow Mark & Crew on Instagram. They do a great job promoting their services, upcoming deals in fun/cool pictures shared: http://instagram.com/ieatsleepfly

Check out their main site for all the services they provide, plus their blog and more information: http://eatsleepfly.com/