Do more of what makes you come alive!

I 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.

Amazing Valentine's Day 2016 for me. Despite a very early weekend morning rising and cold temperature, I woke up excited for my dates yesterday!  What dates? Yes, dates. I checked out 2 FBOs as I seek The One to finish my flight training. If you've followed my aviation adventures in blogs here, or on other channels (IG & Twitter @AeroEms), you know my flight school closed a few moths ago.  I was researching new ones. It's been on my mind to go meet these groups and thought to myself what better way to check things out than on Valentine's Day! I did and tell you this... Amazing day! Best Valentine's Day ever.  
I flew after 5+ months. You know how I felt? Like meeting up with the one or an old friend you haven't seen for decades, but just picking right up! New place, new flight instructor, new plane. Nonetheless, I did great. As importantly, I enjoyed who I was doing this with it. No hesitations, just felt good and natural. I simply cannot wait to pick up my flight training with the best place for me!
Regardless of your passions, here's something I want to share. Never give up on your dreams and aspirations! Things may take longer than you like, but if you really want it you'll take the steps to progress and achieve your goals. Key is to go after it. Another important point is to believe in your abilities and surround yourself with the greatest company. The world is full of naysayers and many just give up on achieving greater. Sometimes you are your worst opponent. Work it out and do what makes you happy. Follow your course! The journey is all the more exciting with others who strive to live life to the fullest and share the magic called genuine enthusiasm, too!:-)
For me aviation is a passion. If you know me or follow me on the various social media channels, you know this! Regardless what your passion, I'm here to say Life is short. When you're fortunate enough to find things and people who make you feel amazing, appreciate that and do more of it. Also, take a moment to tell those people how amazing they are and the positive impact they make. You owe yourself to pursue the exceptional things that light you up. My smile in this pic says it all... LIVE IT UP, my friends! 

I'm eager for my continued aviation adventures, to share them in my blog, meet more who share this passion and to hear about the experiences growing/inspiring you in this journey called life! I'm a smart cookie, I'm honing in on the best flight school to see me through my license. Stay tuned for more. I hope you enjoy as many amazingly awesome days, too!
A second imminent adventure that fuels my passion is more blogging and YouTube demos on product's I've been asked to review by Wazoo Survival Gear. I snagged their Social Media Award after doing a full review on their Adventure bracelet. They create convenient parachord bracelets, key chains, etc with survival tools integrated in them. 
I'll be demoing how to use these products and featuring them on my blog. Here I am with their bushcraft firestarter necklace and the beautiful James River behind me! Follow my Instagram for the latest product review adventures: @AeroEms
***I'd love to hear from my Special Forces connections what is a "must have" in your kit for firestarting out in no where. Do tell! :-) I always love learning or reinforcing what I know. Drop me a line or add a comment to share.***

The knowledge I've gained in survival skills and my joys in applying, plus learning more, makes me continue to feel connected to my Dad who has passed. He was a Green Beret and the best Adventurer I knew. So, in enjoying, applying and adding my skills in this area, all the while enjoying the great outdoors, his legacy lives on in my heart. Always!
The World is better with people on fire with their passions. I'm a better person when I align to my passions and align to those who share a similar one, too, or open my mind to new things that enhance my life.
What lights your inner fire and makes you love your life? Hoping you can easily rattle off a response without thinking and if not, that you find that true passion soon!
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." ~ Earhart

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.:-)

http://www.boldmethod.com/blog/video/2015/07/go-from-0-to-15000-feet-in-45-seconds/

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

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Extraordinary Perspectives & the Push to Upgrade!

It's not everyday I see the world at 1000 feet then frolick at ground level at the place I just flew over the previous day, but that's what happened on my last flight!

I enjoyed a great flight with my CFI to Charlottesville KCHO, flew along the James River, then to Chesterfield Executive KFCI, then back to New Kent. Matt called in to get permission to fly along the James River. Spectacular!

So my plan was to fly to KCHO in the day to see it since I could barely make out anything in my night flying there last month. So awesome to see the mountains and terrain during the day!

I got some great radio work in with Potomac Approach and KCHO Tower. We used Flight Following which I am a fan. So, I know I'm not alone in feeling like, "Errr, do I really need to talk to Approach or Tower?" Even so, I like that I have to push myself to do it to get better. I was pleased with my radio talk on this flight. I felt I performed well. I took away things I could do better next round, see what I did well, and am left with the knowledge that Flight Following is a great service I plan to take advantage of during training and once I'm flying as a PP! What a fantastic service that makes me feel even better having those extra eyes on what's going on in the airspace.

Anyways, since I know I'm not alone in some of the initial radio talk apprehensions, I thought I'd share a useful video on radio talk. I'm a big fan of Jason Schappert (@mzeroa on Twitter). Here's a great YouTube he did on taking to ATC in Class Delta on arrival. Seeing his videos are really helpful to me. I hope you find some value in his shares. I really like the initial cold call technique, which I used after watching his video.

http://youtu.be/IT-Kw5OdAIk

Here's Jason requesting VFR flight following. This is one of my favorite videos because so much changes in flight and he shows viewers how to handle the situation flawlessly! Show how staying alert, calm and confident in your abilities is key to success. These are great examples for aviation and beyond in dealing with rapid changes. Great example to learn from:

http://youtu.be/5QxM5BAaA8o

The biggest takeaway for me on my flight was to appreciate the very different perspectives, a sense of accomplishment in smooth flying, appreciation for Flight Following, improved 2-way radio talk, plus I scoped out a potential cross country route. I believe I found it in W96-KCHO-KFCI-W96!

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Aviation provides me with an incredible level of challenge and feelings of accomplishment in my growing experiences. Aviation pushes me to focus only on the flying when I'm flying, demands my best, challenges me in ways I feel the stretch and love the growth/achievements I experience in each successful flight. I'm so happy to have found my love for flight. Learning to fly has enhanced my Life in many ways and I'm excited for my best chapters yet to come!

Now, let me share a coupe pictures with you from this flight. Here's my post flight smile! You know me. I enjoy a great avi photo opportunity!

This was KCHO on approach to land last month during my night flight. You couldn't see anything really. You need to feel confident in your instrument reading when it's pitch black out. I welcomed the added chalkenge! Did 2 touch and gos that night.

This is Charlottesville views during the day. Beautiful rolling mountains and fields. I gained a great appreciation seeing the terrain during the day. So beautiful! 

I love the rolling mountains as far as the eyes can see!

My CFI Matt Welch took controls so I could enjoy the James River fly over. I flew it last time. This time I welcomed the opportunity to take in the view and snap a few pictures of my favorite spots!

Neat shot with my Stratus and the Z bridge in sight. I've said it before. I'm a big fan of Stratus and Foreflight! 

Area I enjoy fishing, the James River!

Highway 76 into Downtown Richmond. I drive on this road. It's so amazing to see it from 1000 feet!!:-)

Richmond has no shortage of bridges. I just love the James River!! If I'm not flying, I'm fishing.

This was a cool sight to take in. It's a beautiful spot in Richmond called Maymont. Beautiful grounds that inspire painters, poets and more. For me, it was a point of interest because I had just been there as a volunteer to support a clean up effort of fallen magnolia leaves. Hmmm, from 1000 feet I can happily report the grounds look spotless!!;-)

Departing the James River flyover to redirect to Chesterfield Executive. I did a touch and go there before heading back to W96.

When we landed we were treated by catching a Chinook flyover. This picture does no justice to this huge flying awesome beast!:-)

This is a picture I took of a Cessna flyover as I was fishing on the James River. It's such an extraordinary perspective to look up and not only admire those flying over, but to know I've been up there, too... soon to return for more!:-)

All in all another great flight! More great experience. More great memories!

Stay tuned for my next post. I've secured a new WingsConnect /Aviators Lounge Featured Pilot Interview! Very inspiring responses and action pictures. You won't want to miss it! Stay tuned!!

Until then, Happy and Safe Flying, Always!

Emily

A Recipe for Inspiration: Connections + Sharing = Expands Your Mind

Alas, I haven't been flying as much as I'd like, but I stay close to something flying related with technology at my finger tips! I am an avid user of digital toys and social media channels that I tap into to broaden my horizons. These tools allow me to explore, be inspired by others, as well as share my own adventures in this journey called Life. You never know who you inspire by sharing a piece of your world. Great ideas and stories are meant to be shared, in my opinion. I love being a part of that dynamic with the give and take on the digital highway!

On inspiration, I've always enjoyed meeting people from different walks of life and cultures as those experiences never seemed to fail me in broadening my mind, inspiring me in different ways and lending a different perspective. Growing up overseas on military bases in foreign countries is something I value immensely. I believe that experience taught me so much about appreciating, at a very basic level, to explore, see and understand that there are different ways to do doing things. I'm also grateful for the experience in that it contributed to me being open-minded about meeting people from various backgrounds. Made me learn and value that my way is my way, but it isn't the only way nor is it everyone else's way. Try saying that 5x fast! :-)

I find myself curious in meeting somebody from another country or different walks of life and often am interested in learning more about them. Why? It stretches my mind and experiences. I'm not wired for status quo. I'm an avid learner and never want to stop growing!  I believe an important part of growing is stretching myself, moving beyond the familiar and learning different ways of seeing/doing things.

Depending on the situation, I normally can strike up a casual conversation easily and gauge whether we're going to chat it up more or less fairly quickly. As much as I'm curious about differences, I do feel a strong connection with those who share like experiences, of course. That's a basic bonding trait, finding commonalities. However, I don't feel I grow if I'm only around the same type of thinking and routines. That isn't stimulating to me. So, I welcome opportunities to gain a different spin on things that challenge my way of thinking, reaffirm what's important to me and finding ways through the added perspective to do things for the better!

All this to say there are amazing people out there, some of them are your connections here, some of them you have yet to meet. Personally, I find it a rewarding experience getting inspired by another's share with me that challenges me to go out and see a new place or try something different. Speaking of which, remember my post on the awesome aerobatic flight I took in February while in Vegas? I met Maurice who is from Switzerland and traveling the world right now. Since February, he's been sharing some of his adventures with me, especially the flying ones he's experiencing. He's not only inspiring me to get out and travel more, he's really providing me a ton of inspiration seeing all the different flying opportunities around the world! 

This exposure to his adventures really challenges me to think about planning to see the places I want to see and fly, plus some new spots thanks to him! Who knew me striking up a casual conversation in the van on our way to an aerobatic flight we'd both never forget would connect me with a new international world traveling friend who has already given me wealth of inspiration in his messages and pictures shared! 

Now, Maurice told me that he's not a blogger, but had given me permission to share some of his pictures and descriptions. So, buckle up and enjoy this amazing glimpse into different places he's experienced in his world traveling adventure. I believe he knows I love flying, (I know, it's very hard to tell that about me) so there are many plane/flying pictures!:-)

Here's Maurice and I at Sky Combat Ace when we met before our epic Feb 2015 aerobatic flights in Vegas!

After leaving Vegas, he shared he visited Pima Air and Space Museum in Tuscon, including going on a tour on the boneyard of DMAFB. I haven't seen this before so now I have it on my radar!:-)

Next pictures are from his Hawaii visit. 

He took a ride in a glider plane at Dillingham airfield.

Next picture was from his stop in Japan. I love cherry blossoms. Makes me think fondly of memories growing up in Japan on base.

He shared some wonderful pictures from New Zealand! He met up with his brother to share the Chatham Island adventure. He told me he was bummed they couldn't fly with the old Convair 580 due to stormy weather. However, they were able to do some flying near Auckland. His brother is a pilot and they got to fly there. Took a ride in a Robin 200. 

They also took a seaplane ride around the volcanic mountains near Lake Taupo. He shared there's a lot of fly fishing going on there. 

He let me know that the nice, symmetric volcano pictured is best known as Mount Doom from the Lord Of The Ring movies.

He also shared this picture of a McDonald's restaurant in a plane! That's got to be the best McD to eat in. :-)

I love his advice: "If you haven't ever been here, you should seriously consider to change that. And bring the biggest and emptiest memory card you can find for your camera!"

Ha! Love the passion and I'm feeling adding NZ to my "fly and fish"

spots to visit!:-)

Now the latest email I got was just before he leaves NZ. Dude got another flight in!!

This is Whitianga airfield. He took a 30min trip in the tiny Tecnam Echo, an Italian aircraft. He shared, "At only 70 kiwi$ a bargain. That's about 53$ in your money."  I laugh when he writes "your money". I do enjoy meeting people from around the world where we even have to reference your versus my money, as in different currencies!:-)

He shared their hangar caters wedding receptions for aviation nuts. Sweet! 

He did tell me the SCA hangar is much cooler. They did have an amazing hangar. Check out my past blog to view those awesome pictures.

All in all, he is flying more than me and I'm the one training for my license. Ha! His action is showing me I'm slacking. So, what am I doing about it? Better believe I booked a good 4 hour block for some great flying this coming Friday. WOOHOO! That, my friends, is a great example of how one mind inspires another, both short term and long term for me.

I hope you too have found some inspiration in this share. A shout out Thank You to Maurice for being open to sharing these views and experiences as it could inspire others to go out, see, experience and live more!

See his flying pictures certainly has me pumped up for my flying Friday. :-)

What adventures are you looking forward to living?

Happy and Safe Adventuring, All!

Emily

Night Flying Fun in Virginia!

Great flight last week! Flew from W96 to KCHO Charlottesville, Virginia and back with my CFI.

We used flight following. Great service and each time we use it I see more examples of how valuable it is to take advantage of it. 

This flight brought new challenges and opportunity. This was my first time to KCHO. Really had to adjust my eyes to see things differently. One thing I learned was that there were mountain peaks to keep an eye on approaching the airport. The FBOs TPA is 1700. The highest peak nearby is 1830. Do the math means being very aware of these things, picking great pilotage points prior to flying, and staying clear of that peak! 

You could just see a faint shadow of the mountains. The lights below, towns, baseball fields, parking lots, the airport all stand out against pitch black. I found night flying very enjoyable. Very zen!

Here are a few night flying Virginia pictures and a YouTube clip of my 2 touch and gos at KCHO. Enjoying the view in a great flight you're a part of is priceless! Already looking forward to my next flight.

Spotted a rainbow before the flight

Love the city glow below. 

It is beautiful and more peaceful up here!

Landing on 21

I see Richmond's dazzle 

Richmond glow.

I'm more than enjoying my growing flying experiences and skills. Looking forward to my greatest chapters ahead!

Video of my 2 touch and gos at KCHO with some chill tunes

https://youtu.be/nM74ucz5BGk

Do you enjoy day or night flying better and why?

Happy and Safe Flying, Always!

Emily

Living it UP! One Recipe for Happiness: Think it. Want it. Go get it.Shine on!

It's Spring and Easter. That is making me think of New Life, what has been and what can be. Life is indeed a journey and adventure. I'm convinced it really is whatever we choose to make our mind up about it. It's either as great or as bad as I choose to believe it is. It's either do or do not. I'm the Captain of that choice. That's the memo I got and I'm sticking with it.:-) I tend to choose to seek moments of genuine gratitude with each day because I see the journey itself is an adventure!

I believe an important part of the recipe for happiness is identifying, over time, what serves you and what does not. That which does not serve should go to make room in your focus for what can be. Also, finding the things you are passionate about in Life. One found, do more of it! For me, flying is a unique passion I have found that truly Wows me. Not many things Wow me to the degree flying does and I love that I have chosen to have it be a part of my Life. One of the best decisions, Ever! 

In an age where we are inundated with distractions and stimuli, it takes extra effort focus and intention to be truly present. Flying does that for me and it energizes me. Flying pushes me far beyond the status quo of everyday mediocre life which I love, hones in all my focus and senses for that time and I feel a super charge of vitality after each and every flight knowing I was part of an incredible experience. It keeps me on my toes, on high alert, and leaves me with an abundance of gratitude and satisfaction reflecting on my growing abilities and skills. 

Something I really value about my Flying Adventures, and this applies to Life Adventures, are the goals I achieve. I love when a want, just a tiny spark of a thought, becomes a reality through intentional actions. In flying, that manifests when I think to myself that I'd really like to fly to a particular FBO. It may not happen for a while, but if I've got the want in my mind, I'm eventually going to do it when the time is right. This is not a unique recipe pertaining only to me. I know you can relate and hope you sonic boom, as I do, when each goal is lived out.

So, talking passion let me share with you a recent fantastic flight I had with my CFI on Wednesday, 4/1/2015, in Virginia. It was a exciting example of one of my flying goals achieved. It's funny how the mind works. When I was thinking of where to fly, I was leaning towards flying into airports I've been because I really like the coastal routes. Also, there was a hint of wanting to stick with what I knew versus traveling into the unknown, but then I came to my senses!:-) Thank goodness my "been there done that" radar was buzzing and a strong urge to stretch and explore took charge. New FBOs it was, made my mind up to expand my experiences and made it happen. I felt a lot of satisfaction after this flight as it was a flight I've been wanting to do for a while. I have the good sense to appreciate the great, but I fully embrace my nature and desire to stretch and experience more because that serves to enhance me in Life in more than ways than one. I truly see and appreciate the connection of my varied learnings, experiences and perspective serving me greatly in fueling my creativity, innovative thinking and ingenuity in my professional Life, too.

Come join me by enjoying a few pictures and videoes I captured! Note: Any pictures or video I shot was during positive exchange where I was not flying. Safety first, always!

A whole lot of flying cheese -Smile - face here! Blue skies, two new FBOs to fly into and the 152, now that's what I'm taking about as a recipe for a great day. 

Ready or Ready?! 

Upper right: Preflight smiles with Matt.

Lower right: My post flight smile and my FBO New Kent Aviation in the background.

The Route: Flew from W96 (New Kent)-7W4 (Lake Anna) -KLKU (Louisa) - then along the James River near downtown Richmond as we headed back to W96.

Enroute to 7W4 Kings Dominion is a good pilotage reference point.

Lake Anna 7W4. One of the shortest/narrowest runways I've landed. Good time! The shortest and narrowest I've landed so far is Hummel W75. I highly recommend you fly into that airport if given the opportunity. It is beautiful! Tip:  If you are interested, like me, in collecting your Virginia Aviation Ambassador stamps then stop by the mailbox off of the parking area to get that self service stamp. Luckily for me, Matt pointed out the stamp was probably in the mailbox. Roger that, it was so I didn't leave without it. If you know me and my flying, I'm serious about getting my stamps :-)

Next up was Louisa airport KLKU. Much longer runway. I always find it extra fun landing on a longer runway when I've just come from a really small one. It makes me really appreciate how long the runway is in those instances. Great welcome at KLKU by the owner Greg. He hooked me up with my… Wait for it… Wait for it… my stamp! :-) 

Enroute back to W96. Here's a shot of my Stratus. I love the combo of my ForeFlight and Stratus. Being a student pilot and learning, it's without question that I'm first and foremost learning the fundamentals without such tools. That being said I still value having them as secondary points of reference.

The trip back was one of my favorites! It was truly special seeing places that I walk around from high above. Like many aviation lovers, my eyes can't help but look up to the skies when I hear the sounds of an airplane nearby. It was amazing enjoying this flipped perspective. Now I was the one flying by, just how I've wanted! 

Here we see the James River!

It was neat to see the vibrant red spider on the field of University of Richmond. Another great pilotage reference point.

Traveling along the James River, soon approaching very familiar spots. Exciting!

Here's a cool shot that Matt took of Pony Pasture. This is so cool because I go fishing around here and spot familiar points.

I love this view of the bridges and Richmond ahead!

Flying over you bridge! :-)

Neat to see all the rocks down in the river and the city.

Sweet Richmond city shot! I like the reflection off the wing. Way more fun to fly over these roads versus drive them. Fact!

The familiar sight of New Kent airport. I can see my car from here! :-)

Here are two videos with some tunes that I created. Check them out for a more animated experience of this great day of flight!

- Two of my three takeoffs captured on 

   GoPro. http://youtu.be/4611TKa_Gr8

- Flying over the James River, Richmond,

  Virginia http://youtu.be/JOaiS1uS9XM

I hope you enjoyed this flying adventure with me through the pictures and video shared. I agree with doing more of what makes you happy. Flying makes me happy, so time to do some more!:-)

Finding your passions and doing more of the things that make you shine is a gift I've found in a few things, including flying. I hope you find it yourself, too, because the world benefits when people shine bright.

Every great adventure has a beginning, middle filled with ups and downs, and a grea end. For the times you find great happiness them, cherish them and do more of it! In times you go through challenges and we all do, power through and learn more about your strengths, what you like and do not like. For sometimes it is through those challenges you given a gift of You-Turns to redirect you on a greater path. You are stronger than you think!

We are all unique individuals here to live out our story. There's a reason we are here. It is my hope for myself, as well as others, to find purpose. That purpose may morph over time, but do what you can to find and align to what makes you shine brightest, by your own standards. As the famous by Howard Thurman: 

“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.”

Sparrowrose Choose to be the greatest version of you. Encourage others to be their best version. You never know just who's watching and being influenced by your actions. Why not Inspire? I dare you!:-) Happy Adventuring, Always!