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

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!

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:

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/September/30/Dr-Copters-aviation-legacy-set-in-stone

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!