WingsConnect - Making Aviation Connections

Showing posts with label Aviators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aviators. Show all posts

Monday, February 15, 2016

Do more of what makes you come alive!

love the quote, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Truman. Life is indeed a whole different experience when you discover and live your passions. Making the time to connect and fuel passions does wonders.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

EPIC High Altitude Climb

Another inspiring, giving me great chills kind of aviation footage shared by Boldmethod. I've watched it 3x in a row! To GREAT not to share.

Incredible and something I want to live in my lifetime! I love flying!! Enjoy.:-)


What is your your most memorable flight, if you can even narrow it down to one?:-)

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Great cause & flying on 12/13/14 in Virginia

Wow! Love when a day with no particular plan ends up being one of your most enjoyable ones!:-)

I received a text from a Flying friend, Jack Pettigrew, about a toy airlift & donations event to support Military troops this holiday season. I'm a proud Army brat who grew up in military communities. Even though I'm not in the military, that community will always be an extended family and hold a special spot in my heart! I jumped at the opportunity to rush to pick up some goodies for the kids and supplies for Veterans in the hospital. 

Jack met me there and had a crew of his flying friends. I love chatting aviation with others who share the same enthusiasm. I ask all kinds of questions and want to hear about experiences to soak it in like a sponge. I always learn something new and now find opportunities with the flying I've done, to date, to inspire others to visit new FBOs. A few of us had a great chat about Tangier Island being a MUST visit. I flew there last month with my instructor. Click here to view that post: 

The aviation community is a unique and special one. I love the new connections and sharing in the excitement of flying.

When I came to this event, I actually didn't have intentions to fly. That being said. I happened to snag my headset just before leaving. BOY, that was an excellent decision!! I was offered a brief flight in my first experimental and it was exhilarating! Andy is the owner of a Maj. Preddy, ace WWII pilot, RV-7 replica plane. It's exterior is painted with symbols that share the history of this ace pilot. The interior was SWEET! I loved the glass canopy top & seatbelt! It felt like being a Star Wars X-Wing pilot, yes I said it! This plane is so much faster than my trainer 152. To think I almost passed on a ride. Boy, thank goodness I came to my senses!!:-D After I climbed in the cockpit, I had to go up!

I was impressed with Andy. He was very focused, together, explained every detail of the preflight checklist/runup and shared his way of diagraming/noting aviations specs. I really enjoyed seeing his style of operation and was stoked he showed me how incredible the RV-7 flies! I've heard from other pilots to fly in various models, where opportunity presents. This experience opened up my mind to a whole different flying experience... One that's much faster than the 152!!;-)

I left the airport with a HUGE Cheshire Cat smile.. Still wearing it!

I encourage you to spread some holiday cheer by giving, where you can at events like this Toy airlift, or whatever resonates with you. 

For my fellow Flying friends, what are your favorite holiday aviation related events?

Check out some action pictures from this Fun Filled Saturday at Chesterfield Executive Airport! Big shout to my friend Jack for spreading the word & sharing his enthusiasm for aviation. He's not 1 of the top 2 Virginia Aviation Ambassador passport holders for nothing!
 
ME FLYING & my FULL FORCE RV-7 Grin!!!!!! LOVING this flying experience! EEEEEE:-D
Here is my on the ground "RV Grin"! Virginia Aviator Stewart Purvis enlightened me with that phrase!:-) I climbed in the cockpit & was like HELLO, Let's DO THIS!!:-D
Pictures of KXSA Tappahnock FBOs great contributions to the toy Airlift! Love the picture with the Troops!
Me arriving to drop off gifts to the troops! Santa flew into the airport to see the kids. Awesome!!
Fun chatting flying with others who love it and share the enthusiasm to tell their aviation stories, tips, and passion!
After the buffet lunch, we went to check out people's planes. Here's Jack's taildragger!
Here's Andy's RV-7. NEAT!
Planes need to eat, too. Filler up!
Very cool of Andy to take me Up! 
Dude, this interior was Rocking! 
Santa, I want one now!
Ready!!
There goes the gifts! Happy I could contribute. It warmed my heart to do so. :-)

Learn more about Major Preddy, Ace WWII American Aviator: http://www.aviation-history.com/airmen/preddy.htm  

Check out my previous Pilot Spotlight Interview post on Jack: http://aviatorslounge.blogspot.com/2014/03/meet-jack-pettigrew-adventurer-flying.html?m=1

Interested in sharing your Love at First Flight story? I want to share it! 
Visit http://www.wingsconnect.com/ & click on TALK for details on being considered for the Spotlight interview!

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Spreading the Word! Taildragger FlyIn at KXSA on 11/8/2014

My aviation friend Jack is extending an open invite to a Taildragger Fly-In this Saturday in Virginia!

See below for details! Spread the word to other pilots who'd be interested. 

Also, read more about Jack in the Pilot Interview Spotlight I did on this aviator. He's amongst the first 2 people to get ALL the Virginia Aviation Ambassador program stamps. Read & see more in my post: 


Where will your next flight be to? Fess up!

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Flying Adventures: FBO BBQ & first visit into Hummel W75

Fun flying this weekend. In addition, got to enjoy the BBQ at my FBO. I have a great FBO where I train. New Kent Aviation, here in Virginia, was recommended to me last year when I was deciding where to start my flight training. I'm so glad I picked NKA, a family owned/run business with a friendly staff. They do Customer Appreciation BBQs through the Fall. Yesterday was their last this season. Glad I went to enjoy some grilled food, pilot chatting & then a great flight to Hummel.

Talking aviation, on this beautiful blue skies Saturday, after a smooth take off of Runway 29 at W96  it was off towards the East Coast. My intent was to use pilotage, dead reckoning & VOR navigation to see some specific spots along my route. Climbed to 5,500. Spotted West Point, then Tappahanock bridge, then Hummel airfield.

The runway is 2270 x 75. I had Jim land this one so I could take in the view during landing. I handled the short field take off when we left. Fun! Good practice before we fly into Tangier soon!:-)

Here are a few pictures captured of a fun filled aviation Saturday. Ready for my next flight already!

Big smile with Cessna 152 at Hummel, W75! :-D
Jeff, New Kent Aviation's GM, handling the Customer Appreciation BBQ. 
Good time chatting with Chad. We connected through Instagram aviation posts. Check out his IG handle @biplaneflyer for his aviation pics. 
Cool picture my instructor Jim snapped. A lot of boating activity on the Rappahannock River. Gorgeous view!!
Hummel airfield approx 1030' MSL TPA
Love the Fall foliage view!
View on Final
Closer on Final
FBO trailer
Inside the FBO trailer to get our Aviation Ambassador stamps!!
Filling it up:-)
W75 specs on ForeFlight 
AOPA tribute to Dr. Nichols who used general aviation to help provide medical services to Tangier. 
Check out the article about it:
I snapped a good shot of Jim and a plane taking off in the background!
Planes on the ground.
Plane flying above
Getting ready for some cheesing in front of the 152. Sunglasses adjustment, Check!:-)
Me & Cessna 49134
Back at W96, enjoying a great view & food. Had one more hot dog & 2 bowls of John's (NKA instructor & examiner) award winning chili. Delicious!

Another great flying day that left a lingering Cheshire Cat smile. The memories & my growing experience are priceless to me. Love it and excited for my next flight!

So, where were you up to? Work on anything in particular?

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

First AOPA Air Safety Institute Seminar Accident Case Studies, Richmond, Virginia

I highly encourage fellow aviation enthusiasts and pilots to attend this Free AOPA Air Safety Institute seminar. This was the first one I've ever attended. I have been looking forward to checking it for some time, since receiving notification last month that it was going to be held in Richmond, Virginia, at the Virginia Aviation Museum. 

I received both something in the snail mail and an email about this event. Do keep an eye out for these invites and take advantage of them.

Entering into the venue, there was a sign in area and giveaways <-- Yeay!:-)
This seminar kicked off with some mention of local aviation related efforts. Civil Air Patrol, Angel Flight, Pilot and Paws, and the Ninety-Nines were a few local initiatives mentioned. 

3 cases were reviewed. Discussion about each accident, possible contributing factors, witness recounts and interviews. I defininetly picked up a few food for thought pieces.

Again, I highly recommend anyone in aviation attend these free seminars. Not only did I gain insights through the case studies, I also made new pilot connections. Always enjoy that aspect of meeting other pilots and hearing their passion about where to go and where to fly in and eat. Just never a dull moment and I dig it!!

Happy and Safe Flying, Always!

Here are a few action shots I snapped that evening.

Welcome table. I particularly liked the Sectional Map & the Virginia is for Flying Lovers bag!
Just arrived. I really enjoy this museum. Magnificent aircrafts high & low!
Nice!!
Seminar kicks off!
Freebies!:-)
Talk about Festival of Flight. Sounds like Flying Fun! The big talk is that there will be drones at this event. Check it out!
I likie!!!:-)

Ever attend AOPAs ASI seminars? 

Also, I saw this and it's a good follow up to that ASI seminar I went. Two of the three accidents covered dealt with wx 

Some good info in this post: www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/got_weather 

A few links to a few aviation groups mentioned:
PilotsNPaws http://pilotsnpaws.org/about/
Angel Flight http://www.angelflightsoars.org
Civil Air Patrol http://www.govirginiawingcap.com
Ninety-Nines http://m.ninety-nines.org

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society Auction, Richmond, Virginia

Fellow flying friend Jack, who happens to be my 2nd Featured Pilot Spolight interview (check out his interview in my Aviators Lounge blog!), told me about an aviation auction the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society (VAHS) was hosting at the Virginia Aviation Museum. I actually blogged, not too long ago, about my very first visit to this museum. This place is a Must See for any aviation enthusiast! It is a blast seeing great planes in various shapes, models & sizes. There's even an Army helicopter, too! I Love the Choppers, too!:-)

Jack said I had to attend this event. Well, I'm happy to report that I went and it was a great time! I plan to attend again. 

I enjoy the things I learn chatting it up with newly introduced pilots. They've seen and experienced more flight in the left seat than I have (so far;-)), so I listen intently when they share "insider details" like where they love to go, where to flyin and eat (3 votes tonight for Cambridge FBO in MD for crab cakes), what to do when approaching or landing at a particular FBOs, and much more. I often leave with new discoveries to explore myself or hear someone's personal experience about a FBO I have my eye on for a future flight. Love when that happens!

I even found out Jack and his fellow flying friend Ray, who I also met there, were the first Dudes to get all stamps as part of the Virginia Aviation Ambassador program. Say what?!!!! YES! Wild! One of my previous blog posts showed a picture I took of my VA Aviation Ambassador passport progress. I am intent on visiting new FBOs to collect my stamps. It is neat to make deeper connections like this one, meeting the first two in Virginia to get all the stamps. Plus, to kick it up a notch I met the original Virginia Aviation Ambassdor poster woman at this event as well, Sara Parmenter. Learn more about the program and Sara here:  http://www.doav.virginia.gov/vaap.htm#Honorary_aviation_ambassador

Attending these types of functions allow you to meet others passionate about flying, learn more, share stories, relate and be a part of efforts to support aviation.

My joy in sharing aviation posts is that I get to share unique interviews, some of my sights and information I come across to promote this Awesomeness called Aviation. One of my mantras: Flying in the sky is when I feel most alive. 

Do you fly? Then your know what I mean!

Here are a few of the action shots I snapped tonight.

Thanks to Bill Lange for taking this picture. I had my eye on this gorgeous plane, looks just right for me!:-)
Shrimp cocktail and planes, oh yes!!
Great set up by VAHS and the museum. Silent auction items were available to bid on, along with a live auction to follow.
More food and auction items.
Live auction items lined up.
Massive chocolate fountain and the fantastic sight of this gorgeous plane.
More auction items. I like this Grumman A2F-1 Intruder poster. There are a few missles covered with blankets and a tag over them saying, "SECRET".
A cheese moment with Jack. Again, glad he recommended this event!
More cheesing with planes!:-D
Auction action in full throttle!
Thanks to Stew Guidry for snagging one of these DVDs for me.
Auction online flyer.

I recommend checking out a future auction, if you love aviation! It was a great time and opportunity to meet new pilots. 

Learn more about VAHS: http://www.vahsonline.org/

Learn more about the Virginia Aviation Museum:  http://www.vam.smv.org/

Do you have any "must see or attend" aviation events that you recommend? Leave a comment and share details!:-)

Happy and Safe Flying, Always!