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!

Flying Virginia: W96 to KOFP

First time flying into Hanover, Ashland KOFP FBO on 10/5. It had been a month and a half since my last flight ~ Gasp! Too long. Despite the break, the flight was awesome. Did my usual flight game planning, good preflight debrief & off to preflight check the 152. Blue skies in Beautiful Virginia. Fasten your searbelt!

We took off, I did a landing, then off to KOFP. I did a visual spotting of MiddlePeninsula West Point KFYJ, then it was DME Arc VOR navigation flying to KOFP.

As usual took some pictures after we landed. Then it was back to New Kent W96.

Every moment the plane takes off under my hand, the wheels leave the earth and we ascend defying conventional limitations we as humans have being grounded by successfully taking flight is a moment of blissful zen for me. The experience is exciting, thrilling, all while being extremely focused and serious. Time stops for me in those moments of take off and my landings. Very few things have touched me in the same way, have challenged me to this level and I LOVE it!:-) 

Here are a few pics snapped on this flying adventure. In my flight posts, I like to share views of the airports I fly into so catch a glimpse of Hanover FBO!

Flying makes me smile BIG

FBO specs

Me & the 152!

Marinating on my next moves, Always! Oh the possibilities are endless.:-)

Nice pilots lounge

Pilots lounge

FBO lobby

Posing by one of my future rides.:-) 

3 words for you: Dream big, people!

Virginia Aviation Ambassador passport & iphone in the pocket, Check! I love my Pilot Talk clothing line (pullover seen here) & travel mugs!! Classy threads for the ladies & unisex travel mugs/hats. All for the jet setters! Snag one of my products & share a picture with me. Would LOVE seeing you model one of my products so I can share it with my audience! 

Check out my store: http://www.zazzle.com/WingsConnect?rf=238151310469888436

Drop me a line with you modeling my product design. Email me through my site! http://wingsconnect.com/

Where are you flying this weekend? What are you working on? I'll be planning to visit another new airport and working on centerline landings! Thinking maybe Tangiere, KCPK or Charlottesville. Oh the possibilities!:-)

Wherever you are UP to... Happy & Safe flying, Always!

A whole different Awesome pilot perspective

I went out of town for work a few weeks ago &, like most, hopped on a commercial airline. Have to say that since I've been training to fly myself, this flight was extremely boring being the passenger. :-) Sitting there in the cabin, eyes glued to the action outside and view at 33k feet, it was really boring to not be the one flying. It motivates me to learn & fly more. Flying yourself just Rules!

The flight back was in IFR rainy, cloudy and windy conditions back in Richmond, Virginia. The landing on approach before touching down was quite wobbly & we kind of skidded on the wet ground, but all was good. I checked my AeroWeather app after landing. Sure enough winds were flowing with gusts up to 17 knots. I'm glad I'm taking flying classes and growing my own skills so when experiencing a wobbly approach or turbulence, I have a greater perspective on things and don't have to freak out over nothing! Knowledge and experience are key. 

Here are a few pics from my flight.

I really enjoyed spotting out different airfields from high above. Good practice for me to visually identify them without a sectional map or my foreflight.

Another airfield 

Another airfield

Sunset and stars

Saw some showers off yonder from 33k feet :-)

Love!

 

I'd love to take a cross country flight across the U.S., savor the sights from high above and yes, plan a few fishing spot stops to enjoy a long the route. One day:-)

When and where are you flying? Wherever you are headed... Happy and safe flying, Always!

Virginia Flying Adventures ~ Tappahannock FBO

First flight to Tappahanock FBO (KXSA) on 8/24/2014. It was a beautiful day! Did a nice mid field fly over. Each flight yields new & builds on what I'm learning. I love the challenge aviation provides me, new sights & memories. 

I've said it before. There are far few things quite like it... Something that challenges me to the extreme & demands the best of you every time. LOVE! 

A few images from this Flying Adventure!

Cheese from KXSA. I like the red roof of the FBO. Easy way to ID the FBO from high above.

Lil guy is ready for his preflight check!

Heading to Tappahanock.

Love high altitude views.

Inside the FBO.

Outside plane line up & blue sky!

Where are you flying this weekend?  What are you most looking forward to from your next flight? I'll be visiting a new FBO & working on my center line landings.... More right rudder!

Ohhhhhh the Places to Go!

Doesn't every pilot have aeronautical maps around their place?!:-) I enjoy having them to inspire my next flight plan.

I'm excited for Fly Time this weekend. WOOHOOO! Ready to work on my centerline landings & visit an airport or two.

What are your flying plans this weekend?!

Wherever you soar, may it be fun filled! Safe flying, Always!

Amphibious Plane Camper, Make it so!

Passport to the world? Flying, fishing, boating, camping. Great concept. I like the sounds of this game changer, make it so!:-)

Check out this Thrillist article repost 

http://www.supercompressor.com/rides/the-mvp-aero-model-3-amphibious-plane-camper

National Aviation Day & my Love at First Flight!

Ohhhhh it was love at first flight for me. I vividly remember my first small aircraft flight in a teeny tiny R-22 helicopter in Long Beach, California in 2009. I've loved helicopters since Airwolf:-) This flying experience was nothing less than Love at First Flight! LOVED the incredible first of taking off from the ground in a helicopter on a hot day, doors off this little guy, seatbelt securely fastened & cruising high above congested So Cali. Seeing the world below, in an aircraft you are helping to fly, was an incredible experience. The world is very different at high altitude!

I moved to Virginia in late 2009. I didn't think about flying fixed wing. At some point, my eyes were drawn to he sky and I could not ignore all the planes flying around. It was as if the sky was a playground and I became curious. It wasn't until I dated an experienced military pilot who made his own kit plane & swooped into Chesterfield Executive Airport for a date that I was intrigued enough to think about trying out a flight. Seeing him take off in that small plane, I remember thinking to myself WOW that looks incredible. I'd like to try that myself! 

My first flight was using a Fathers Day Groupon deal for a Discovery Flight. That same date recommended a spot for me to do my first discovery flight. I remember the drive to the FBO was long and the winds were strong that day. When I arrived, the pilot asked if I was sure I wanted to go with the winds. One word, Yes! It was on that first flight, just before we took off, that I looked over at the dude flying me thinking I want to be the one flying, not necessarily have someone fly me. I say not necessarily, because I'm not opposed to a handsome co-pilot flying with me. Just saying!!:-)

I love flying. It is a rare feeling and very few things compare. It's exciting, exhilarating, challenging, all consuming focus, demanding, and zen. Every flight, every take off, every landing.... A Unique experience and images for my memories.

Someone asked me which airport was my favorite. My response, "My next one." Every upcoming flight has the potential to be the best and even when I'm done with a flight that I felt was great, I'm always left wanting for more..... Love love love it!:-)

I'm sharing a few pictures of my aviation adventures over time. I reflect & relish every experience when I see my pictures. It is nothing less than magical!

It all started with a R2... R22 that is:-)

My first helicopter discovery flight!

2009, Long Beach, CA

Curtis Eads FBO, Tidewater, VA, after my first Cessna discovery flight!

2012

First visit checking out New Kent Aviation, Quinton, VA 

2013

Just before a Ground School session at NKA FBO

2013

Love the Fall colors!

Me, myself & I. First solo flight, NKA, 2014

Some left profile high altitude cheese. Leaving Wakefield FBO, VA

2014

Some right profile high altitude cheese.

First trip over the Chesapeake Bay, VA

2014

First Towered FBO. Newport News, VA.

2014

In my future. Flying into the Caribbean. Pulled this pic off the internet.

In the future. Flying Wild Alaska, preferably in a sea plane! Pulled this pic off the internet.

Te me how you fell in love with flying and your favorite flying memories. I'd love to hear and share them! Something this great is meant to be shared.

Happy & Safe Flying always!