Aviation Love Flow

Hello Fellow Fantastic Flying Friends!

I hope 2015 has started off great for you all and has included some awesome ️flying! Mine has, including a few of my best flights to date this month. WOOHOO! Eager to stay this pattern!:-D

Flying, for me, is an Aviation Love Flow. A winning recipe includes clear planning prior to flight, a great takeoff, turns enroute, adjusting, refining, & a great landing that makes you feel a big YESSS in every cell. Great weather helps, too!:-)

I reflect on why I flying resonates with me so strongly. It's the sense of growth and personal accomplishments in a challenging field most do not partake in. It's all the amazing feelings And memories I gain. It's also fellow pilots I meet that match that extraordinary passion and energy in how they fly & live!

I have yet to meet a pilot who was like, "Meeeeeh..." when I've chatted with them about flying. Regardless if they are active or haven't flown for a while, there is a fire in the eyes and the love for flight palpatable. That Rocks!

In connecting with fellow pilots, I value that passion and enthusiasm we share for this extraodinary field. This type of planning and discipline applies to many facets of a successful path in Life, aviation and beyond.

Aviation to me is a wonderous blend of passion, determination, perseverance and being in tune and nimble to adjust along the way for better performance. Personally, there are few things I have found in Life that demand your best to this degree, to focus everything on these flying moments, to show up giving your best everytime and never want for complacency. Flying is one of those things to me. That is how I'm wired, so I value the alignment of those standards I feel I get in aviation. I celebrate my growing skills/experience and am eager to improve, all while learning more. I love the challenges and learnings I gain. It's making for a better version of me!

Shoutout to great things that support my journey to find my wings --> great FBOs & crews like mine, NKA, CFIs like Jim Oddono & Matt Welch who are setting me up for success, fellow pilots I connect with that inspire and share insights with me that enhance my journey and organizations like AOPA & EAA that support General Aviation efforts/education and safety. 

Life moves fast. I challenge you, like I do myself, to keep doing great things that make the journey an EPIC one!

What is Aviation to you? How does it make you feel when you fly? 

Here are a few pictures & YouTube videos caught on my GoPro from my flights this month. 

This is my flying love face. You'll see it in often in my flight posts! 

I love wearing it.:-)

1/2/2015: W96, New Kent Aviation (NKA), Virginia. 

A little drizzle, but still VFR! My focus in this day was pattern work and finesse my landings. It was great flying! I was very pleased with my TP setups & landings. So was my CFI, Jim Oddono!

Love the patchwork design from up high 

Post flight smiles! 

1/5/2015: W96, New Kent & KRIC, Richmond International Airport Virginia back to W96

My birthday flight rocked! Was a tad windy, but not too terrible. It was my first time flying with NKAs new full time CFI Matt Welch. On a social media plug note, I'm active on it. I actually met Mat through LinkedIn before I met him in person at NKA. That was a cool example of how digital connections can enhance your reach to connect with great contacts!

So this flight we did a XWind take off and landing at W96, then headed to KRICs towered airport. I wanted to observe Matt's radio handlings. There was activity there. We came in behind a jetliner, big guy so he ensured we kept a safe distance. We did 3 touch and gos. Runway 34 seemed like it went on forever (was very long) for our little Cessna 152!:-) I like the added challenges of all the activity happening at this airport. Keeps you on your toes even more than usual! It was a fun flight with new learnings.

Winds

Me getting prepped.  am sporting a Wazoo survival tools parachord bracelet. Love their products! Bringing 'Be Prepared' to a new level. I likie! My favorites are the Adventure bracelet, this Zombie bracelet, & Woodchuck key chains. Check out their site: http://www.wazoosurvivalgear.com

Check out my product review on their survival skills bracelet on my Adventure blog:

Enroute to KRIC

LOVE this view!

We spotted and came in after this big guy! Seeing the passengers de-plane as we climbed out.. They looked like ants!!!

Here's Matt in action!

KRIC

Hard to see, but there are the National Guard helicopters. I LOVE helicopters! 

Working it! Line up for landing runway 34.

Back to W96

I see my car!:-)

Post flight smiles! Check out that sock. Windy!

1/19/2015 - New Kent W96 to West Point KFYJ to Hummel W75 back to W96 

Great flight to 2 different FBOs, KFYJ and my first time landing at W75. Shortest runway I've landed to date (2270x45). 

I planned out the routes to identify key landmarks along the way. I'm very pleased I spotted everything I wanted to get us to and from each location. I'm still working ing in finessing my landings. I was most pleased with my second landing at W75, which I share in a link below.

Here is Stuart, Director of Maintenance (aka the mastermind keeping the planes in tip top shape!) and Matt rolling out this mighty 152 lil' guy who's ready to be flown!:-)

Here's a few pictures: Upper left - Me with Stuart. Shoutout to the crews who ensure the planes are at their best! Upper right: Smiles with the Champ in the background. I must fly him this year. Lower left: High Altitude smile from beautiful Virginia! Lower right: Post flight smile. Another great day of Flying Virginia! 

Taking off w96

On Final KFYJ

Traveling to W75

On Final W75

W75, it's been fun. Time to head back to W96!

Below are two GoPro videos caught on this flight. I added music to this footage, so buckle up and enjoy the view on this virtual ride with me! They were a blast! I hope it leaves a smile on your face and the want to get more air time, fellow pilots. I know I'm ready to get UP again!❤️✈

Takeoff at New Kent #W96 Click here

Landing at Hummel #75 Click here 

Pilots ~ What is your favorite FBO to land at and what are those runway dimensions? I'd love to hear. May inspire a future trip for me!

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Emily

Helicopters, Planes, Drones, Heli Tours, Social Night ~ Oh My!! Featured Pilot Spotlight: Meet Mark Robinson, Chief Pilot at Revolution Aviation. Living it UP & helping So Cali pilots Find Their Wings!!

Hello my Fellow Fantastic Fierce Flying Friends!! I hope the year has started off strong for you. It has for me with two awesome flights and my first 2015 Featured Pilot Spotlight to share with you all! WooHoo!

I'm THRILLED to introduce you to Chief Pilot Mark Robinson, head of Revolution Aviation. Check out this picture! 

In my best Archer impersonation ~ DANNNGGAAAA ZZOONNEEE 

Looking great, Mark!

Revolution Aviation caught my eye last year in the way they were using Instagram (IG) to promote their business and services. Good vibes, energy & FUN pop out in what they share in their IG feed. 

Initially, I thought they just did helicopter training. Checking out their site, I found an impressive array of services!! In flight training they cover include helicopter, plane and UAV drone training. They have a slick pilots lounge, are loaded with flight resources, weather/flight planning, handbooks, maps, and more. 

They're setting themselves apart from other flight schools, from what I am seeing, in using digital promotions and showcasing the fun they are having while effectively training a future wave a pilots. They do a social event and are actively using a variety of social media channels. Great ways to grow and keep their aviation community connected, both in person and online!

Without further delay, it gives me immense pleasure to introduce to you Chief Pilot Mark Robinson and share his Spotlight Pilot Interview responses. Enjoy the ride!!

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?

My first flight was in London, England when I was working as a Currency Broker. We achieved our targets and were rewarded with a helicopter flight from our office to London, Heathrow. I was hooked. After that on every vacation I took a helicopter ride. We flew on a Bell Longranger. I didn't know that at the time, haha.

 

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

I was recently featured in an industry magazine called Rotorcraft, Pro. They asked me the same question. I said Touch everything - this means before and after flight. Make sure you walk around and make sure doors have pins in, fuel and oil caps are on etc. I want to emphasize to always do a walk around before and after flight to not get complacent.

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

• I didn't really know it at the time, it has taken me years to realize how fun aviation is. I would travel a lot as a child, teenager and for work. I always loved flying. Then one day I needed a new challenge and decided to learn how to fly. Having finished my studies and being hired straight out of flight school I realized that this career path can literally take you anywhere. I've flown for police, sport stars, Robinson Helicopter Factory, Goodyear Airship and now have my add-on in planes! It is SUCH a fun industry and now we've met you while I work for Revolution Aviation as Chief Pilot!

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

Catalina by far. The trip over from John Wayne Airport is fun, it's beautiful and the Buffalo burger is making me hungry just thinking about it! Lucky for us here in SoCal there are many restaurants. 

 

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

I really like Burbank Airport north of Los Angeles. This is because I do a lot of training. When students have to talk on the radio several time and switch between intersecting runways I'd say you've got your hands full. I like a challenge and what better way then the deep end at a Class C. Not recommend for student pilots however.

Here are a couple more action shots. Blue skies, big smiles & looking great!

High altitude Cheese:-D ROCKS!!

Live in Southern California? Find your wings at Revolution Aviation!

Mark, thank you SO much for sharing your time and responses with me. I really enjoyed reading about how you found your Wings!!:-) I also appreciate the tips and insights shared. The aviation world is something truly unique. I, too, knew during that first flight that flying was something I love. 

I have gratitude for great CFIs, like yourself, who are helping train the next wave of pilots and being a positive, active part in their journey to Find their Wings!! Also, big shout out to organizations like AOPA & EAA who make a difference in our ability to do what we love... Living it UP!!:-D

I value each Featured Pilot Spotlight interviewee because they have shared time to provide responses that delight and inspire! A great story is meant to be shared. I genuinely enjoy sharing them and getting to know each pilot better through the process. The pilot community is a fun filled, stimulating one. I'm grateful to have found my passion for flight and to be a part of it!

Mark, when I'm back to visit friends in So Cali, I'll have to swing by for a flight. Question is, could I fast rope rappel from your helicopter?!! Done safely, that'd be some Revolutionary adventure! ;-)

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Flying Friends! Follow Mark & Crew on Instagram. They do a great job promoting their services, upcoming deals in fun/cool pictures shared: http://instagram.com/ieatsleepfly

Check out their main site for all the services they provide, plus their blog and more information: http://eatsleepfly.com/

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: 

http://aviatorslounge.blogspot.com/2014/11/flying-inspirations-windy-flight-to.html?m=1

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!

Buckle UP! Meet Adventurous Alaskan Aviator RoyRobert Fischer-Akootchook!

Boy, do I have a treat for you all! 

One of the favorite things I do with my aviation site & blog is to share unique, exciting, and pure Aviation loving Pilot Spotlight Interviews!! I'm a firm believer that Great stories are meant to be shared and I genuinely love shining the light on different pilots I have the pleasure of connecting with either in person or online by sharing some of their flying story.

Each interview is an Adventure, a glimpse into a different world.... different faces, experiences, and places, but we all have the same fierce aviation love burning strong within. I find each Pilot Spotlight lends itself to new learnings, reinforces others, has the potential to ignite sparks of inspiration to visit new places and adds a deeper dimension to each pilot after reading about their responses that show their love & passion for flying.

I'm so exited to feature in this Pilot spotlight with you RoyRobert Fischer-Akootchook! He's one of my favorite IGers. Follow his handle and you will be in for an exciting visual aviating Alaskan ride when you do: @ROYROBERT130

His Alaska aviation pictures on Instagram captured my attention. It takes a special something to keep capturing my eye & his pictures are ones I look forward to show up on my feed!!:-) With his feed, you gain a first hand, steady stream of beautiful wild Alasaka. From what I see, Alaska is so different from the concrete jungles I have walked. Even after moving to Virginia, which is less concrete junglish:-), it is far from the wild & more natural I see in much of Alaska. Growing up, I remember my Dad getting National Geographic, and seeing pictures of Alaska. For some reason they resonated. In the past few years, I saw Flying Wild Alaska and was very much WOW'D by these pilots called, "Bush Pilots" and the glimpses of some of the lives I saw there.  Now THAT's some wild windy flying!! I've been & continue to be fascinated by Alaska. A trip there is on my list. Of course, it must include Flying Alaska & fishing!:-)

 When I read RoyRobert's responses his love for flying sonic boomed!:-D Flying love sounds to be engrained in his every cell. His responses are energized, fiercely focused on his long love for aviation and his pictures show a beautiful lens into the flying world he lives in Alaska! I loved reading every response & seeing the pictures shared! I share with you his dedication to share his pictures. It took him a few attempts to send all pictures as I got to see that the internet connectivity was slower in Alaska, especially in the bush. Despite, he kept with it until I had all the beautiful aviation pictures to share with his spotlight piece here.

With no further wait, it is my pure pleasure to virtually introduce you to RoyRobert & share his responses in this edition of WingsConnect Featured Pilot Spotlight. Enjoy the ride!

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 fell in love with aviation from the second I was born! Since as long as I can remember! I grew up in an Aviation / Military family. It's what we always talked about and loved to do. My whole life all I every talked about or wanted to talk about was aviation. You know when you grow up with your best friends they always changed what they want to be we they grew up. Like in preschool they want to be a superhero, the next year they want to be just like their dad, a year later they want to be a firefighter, and it changed every year. But not for me, my whole life I knew I wanted to become a pilot. It never changed. That's what I loved and had passion for my whole life. It's still the same today, but my love for aviation grows everyday. Through out school all my teachers I had growing up they used to get mad because I usually changed the subject somehow and talked about as always, airplanes! Aviation! All my friends and family know that's all I every talk about. I can go on forever and ever and ever about aviation as you can see. Lol. :-) ✈️

The 1st time I took controls of an airplane was on December 21st 2012. The day people thought the world was going to end but it was just the beginning for me. I flew a Cessna 172 with a G1000 in it, down in Arlington, Texas. KGKY. Then in May 2013 I graduated from high school in my little hometown of Kaktovik, Alaska. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going to go to flight school at the time. But, I happened to go to a little air show in Fairbanks where I  talked with flight schools, that's where I fell in love with Warbelows Flight School. The school that I joined in August of 2013. I had my solo flight just after 10hrs of flight time. After a few of my solo flights I had to take break, 2 months off because I was having a hard time, I lost two close family members. So, in December of 2013 I wanted to finish and earn my license for the ones I lost. A week later, I passed my written and worked on more cross country hours so I could get my checkride in before the instructors left for Christmas break. My instructor and I scheduled my checkride for December 16, 2013. But the day before the checkride I cancelled it because I didn't like how the weather was. It was fly able for student pilots but it was in my personal minimums. Plus, I didn't feel 100% ready. After the break I went on another Mach checkride and felt ready. On the morning of my checkride the FAA examiner walked in and said, "good job." And shook my hand. I asked why and he told me that I made the right choice of canceling my first checkride. So I felt really good about the checkride! And I did do great, I earned my Private Pilots License on January 19, 2014. 

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

The biggest one I can think of is to be "better safe than sorry." If you don't feel like flying cancel it and don't go. Or if the weather looks good for a few hours and you think you can beat it you most likely won't especially in Alaska. I've seen many crashes, all were pilot error and bad decisions. I have my own personal minimums, the regulations say you can fly but I wouldn't want to or feel comfortable doing so. You can always cancel flights if you don't feel comfortable. Advice I'd give to fellow pilots would be to always study and stay fresh. Because I took long breaks and didn't really get any studying in and I forgot a few things when I got back into flying. 

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

My favorite part about being in aviation is to fly airplanes! Well I love everything about aviation it's hard to name just one or a few.....hundred. Lol. I love to do any kind of work on the planes like taking off the wing covers and warming up the planes with the heaters when it's 45 below outside and I'm not even the one flying that day. Another good one is: I love how when you become a pilot you join the aviation family, like on Instagram all the student pilots or commercial pilots cheer you on or congratulate you when you pass a little test or something. It's great! They're always there to help you out if you have questions. 

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

I'm not really too sure, since I fly to little dirt strips in the middle of nowhere. But I know when I buy my own plane and fly up on the North Slope of Alaska. I'm always welcomed into people's homes for dinner if I ever fly into any of the small villages in Bush Alaska, and I know native food would be on the menu. 

Question 5: What are your favorite airports that you've flown into and why?
My favorite place to fly into is Tanana, Alaska. PATA. On final you get to fly low over the Yukon River just before you touch down on the dirt strip.

Another good one is in Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. PAML. It's a new airport that just opened in the past year and it's like landing on a little narrow dirt road. It's fun to fly in when it's a little breezy because its a challenge to land from the winds or downdrafts from the huge hill next to the runway.

And my third favorite airport to fly to is in Lake Minchumina, Alaska. PAMH. It's a another airport that's not maintained, it's a soft strip and there's tall grass that grows on the runway. At both ends of the runway is the lake, so you have to land spot on, so you don't over shoot and fall off into the lake. 

Readers: Now, fasten your seatbelt tight, yell CLEAR PROP & check out his aviation action pictures!

WOW!

Nice!

Eyes out!

Like a Pro!

Legit! I like that fuzzy chair cover, too.:-)

Nice!!

Sky Gold!

Ready for high altitude adventure!

WOWZAS! What a supercharged ride through reading the responses & enjoying the view, right?!

RoyRobert, you have certainly inspired me and strongly reinforce my desire to visit Alaska one day! Thank you so much for sharing your time to divulge your responses and a few favorite Avi pictures so each of us reading gets to know you a bit more. What a fun visual & cerebral ride!:-)

Keep doing what you're doing & living it UP, Rockstar! I look forward to seeing your ongoing aviations adventures shared in your IG posts.

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!