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!

Meet Aviator Brandon Foss!! Fixed wing, rotary rated, now Jump Pilot. He is living it Up!

I'm stoked to share with you all responses and action packed pictures from one of my favorite aviation connections on Instagram. His name is Brandon Foss and this guy is going places!! A real go getter, both rotary and fixed wing rated, his love for aviation and zest for life are very inspiring.

I found his responses shared interesting and insightful, reading his journey in aviation training. He's clearly a young man with a plan and on the right track to continue to achieve success in his growing aviation career. I enjoyed hearing about how a friend of his made a significant impact in his aviation growth. A big part of why I have my site and blog to share these pilot interviews is is knowing that by sharing information, tips and inspiration it serves as a catalyst to show others the possibilities in this world of Aviation! People who positively impact others lives Rock! You don't leave this plant with "stuff" you accumulate. Making a positive difference in Lives, to see others grow greater through things you may have shared, that is priceless. I also enjoyed reading his favorite spots to eat and airports. 

It is my pleasure to share with you Brandon's responses and action pictures! I hope you enjoy them and draw inspiratatin from them, like I did!

• 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?

I've wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember, don't really know exactly where it started. My first flight was a discovery flight at Spartan College of Aeronautics February of 2008. Far before this I knew I wanted to fly. My first flight towards my private pilot license was July 11th 2008. Out of Riverside KRVS in Tulsa, Oklahoma it was a Cessna 152 N9411Q which in the end would be the same aircraft I would get my PPL in on March 13th (Friday) 2009. After this I discontinued going to Spartan for a few reasons and moved back home outside Branson, MO. Which at that point I started training towards my instrument rating in a SR-22 (talk about an upgrade) and just as it goes ran out of money. Thus I would start a new adventure which would involve another aviation machine the helicopter. October 28th 2010 I had my first flight in a helicopter a R44 N7046G. Attempted to finish up adding on my private helicopter in 1 month but weather and a few other issues would push that back. On May 24th 2011 I would become a dual rated Private pilot. Stepping back to August 2010 I was connected with N55646 a PA-28 that over the years we've become best friends. This all came about from a fantastic friend of mine named Paul, the owner of the company I work for, his intentions were to help me build my time. Little does he know he's helped me more then I can ever repay him, I've added 275 hours to my total time through have access to this aircraft.  Back to flight training 2012 didn't have to much happen besides fly 646, spent that year saving money it go towards my next goal Commercial Helicopter License which I started February 20th 2013 and completed May 24th 2013 yes two years to the date of my private license. I would spend the rest of 2013 flying as much as I could afford which included a 22 hour cross country to Lake Havasu City, Arizona from Branson West, Missouri. Start of 2014 I flew a helicopter from Claremore, OK to Middletown, NY, then a different one back. Again 22 hours. Most recently I finished up adding on my Commercial Airplane License, which the 5th time was the charm finished up July 4th 2014. Kinda telling my whole story here. The other big thing that has happened is I'm a skydive pilot at 417 SkyDive! 

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

My advice for fellow pilots would be don't ever stop, learn as much as you can, be nice to everyone you never know who might be willing to help you, network network network and follow your dreams! Sometime it my look daunting but remember you can't connect the dots going forward only looking back.

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

Would have to say the people, I've always felt like my fellow aviators as family. I've noticed that pilots a great people and always willing to help you out it's an amazing thing.

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

This has a couple answers first way back on my first cross country I flew from KRVS to KSWO and enjoyed the Eskimo Joes. The other would have to be Gaston 1M0 in Arkansas grass strip and very cool restaurant overlooking the White River.

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

I've been to a lot of cool airport over the years I've been flying. Few of my favorites include, 1M0 Gastons reason being the grass strip and the interesting traffic pattern (go with a CFI first), Walnut Ridge KARG this was a training base during WW2 which they have a cool museum just off the field and also they use to use this as a scraping operation so that was kinda cool to see (2 747s and a number of other cockpits, including the very first 777), Clark-Downtown KPLK outside of Branson, MO I have some really good aviation buddies here one gentlemen owns 28 different aircraft some very unique ones too, and last would be KFWB Branson West, MO my home airport great FBO and my hangar neighbors are awesome.

My goals in the aviation world include HEMS Pilot with the opportunity to save people's life's, right now I'm building time and having a blast doing so.

Here are a few incredible pictures from Brandon's growing aviation chapters!

In the zone!

Awesome!!

Like a Pro!

Fantastic!

Legit!

Nice java fuel up!

Professional!

Gorgeous sight!

Thank you for taking the time to share your responses and these spectacular aviation pictures, Brandon. I enjoyed learning more about your avi adventures! Your passion and incredible avi shots jump out loud and clear through your posts shared on Instagram! I have no doubts that you will continue to achieve success, grow your skills/experience and meet your future aviation caterer goals with flying colors! 

Keep that great attitude and zest for life! It's inspiring!! Happy and safe flying, always!!

Follow Brandon on Instagram PilotFoss

and glimpse into his exciting world of aviation experiences.