The Final Hurdle

[WillFlyToDisney2]

I have an opportunity when in Nashville in 2 weeks to do something that I never thought I would even consider - flying in a GA plane. YIKES! Just typing it makes me nervous but I am convinced that this is the final hurdle of my fear. My fear of "small planes" is directly related to my super scary flight that started my whole FOF so I am really determined to do this.

The pilot on the GA flight is a friend who has over 400 hours in the Cessna 172 - the type of plane that we will be taking up that day (as long as the weather is good and I have my Xanax with me!). He's a responsible kind of guy and has promised to not do anything that would scare me. I have quizzed him about his training and certifications relentlessly (poor Doug!).

Reading Chris' flight report from his lesson really helped me to make that final decision to say YES. Thanks, Chris!!

:)
Kelley

[CaptainStark]

Kelley,

That's GREAT!

There could be a problem though. Once he lets you drive for awhile, you'll realize how easy it is and your "pilot bubble" will burst!

Have a good time, leave the medication at home. Eat a decent breakfast/lunch before you go. Don't worry about the plane bobbing around a little more than airliners do. Remember, you are in a much smaller leaf in the stream of air aloft. You'll love it, I am certain.

Speaking of GA planes, a guy I flew with this month went the civilian route and built his logbook doing odd jobs. One he enjoyed was flying the drop ship for sky divers. He warned me though, the jumpers initiation to new pilots on their first drop was to have the last jumper reach over the pilot, turn off the motor, remove the keys, scream "HAA-HAA!!!" and then jump out of the plane with the keys.:shocked

All jumps were right over the airport and the jumper with the key would walk out to the runway and wait for the jump plane to silently float down to the runway where the pilot would get his keys returned. It was a ritual event.

So don't even worry about the engine quitting on it's own. (THAT story should make her more relaxed now don't ya think?):eek

Ray:ray

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Thanks, Ray.

I feel soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better. :shocked

Psst are there parachutes on the 172 in case we have to bail out???

Kelley

[spiffyone]

OMG, Ray.

Remind me never to go skydiving (like I would EVER.)

That reminds me - so you don't fly with the same copilot all the time, then? SAW just has a stable of captains and a stable of FOs and they match them up at will? I always thought the captain and the FO were, like, married. And they always worked together.

:handglide :wired

[beaugest]

Um Ray, I don't think we're going to ask you to lead the relaxation group for fearful fliers after that story...
If I was in that plane, I would have probably gotten so freaked I would have jumped without the parachute...:fly
I can't believe I'm going to say this but back when I was young and immortal I flew on a little guy a few times and it was amazing. So, I think the fact that you are willing to give this a try is great.
Spiff, I loved your married comment. I had this image of the Captain and FO discussing wedding songs and linens...

[JamieAllison]

Kelley, I'm so impressed! I can't wait to hear about it. :airplane

Ray, definitely not a relaxing story. :shocked

Jamie

[spiffyone]

Monica, yes, and bickering like an old married couple... "Do you HAVE to hum under your breath when we take off?" "You ALWAYS come in too fast..." "How come you never get MY coffee?"

THat's what surgeons and OR nurses, are like, by the way, in case you were wondering...

spiff

[beaugest]

"You ALWAYS come in too fast..."
I promise to stay G-rated after this but...
I read this sentence quickly and read it without the
"in" the first time...
Now I have a new worry...pilots who are in the mile high club...

[spiffyone]

:noevil

[spleisher]

Kelley...

You'll LOVE IT, I promise. Go for it! By the way, shoot me an e-mail at spleisher@yahoo.com when you get a chance. I want to talk to you off line about that other thing we discussed and maybe getting over to visit Rhonda. Do you happen to know her work schedule? Does she by chance work on weekends at all?

[xiknal]

woohoo!:woohoo

It will be exciting, and a lot of fun. I won't promise it won't be a weensy bit scary, but surely not enough to color it all scary. And I think you just might come away from it with the urge to go up again...and then...you are gonna get hooked on it (speaking from experience). :nod

A morning or late afternoon flight would be best in terms of minimal turbulence.

I have known several pilots who flew skydivers for a while during their time-building phases. It's not something one wants to do as a career...but part of their initial checkout involved power-off approaches back to the drop zone from various likely exit points. Nobody told me they had that dirty trick pulled on them, though...but I expect they'd be ready for it. In flight training, we simulate (by pulling the power to idle) that for students all the time, and they get proficient at setting up and landing without power.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Thanks, Barb!

I can't wait. :)

Kelley

[canoga]

Look at you girl. Flying all around the sky. You are just getting so brave!

:hail :hail :hail :hail :hail

[Passenger Mark]

Fantastic Kelley!

I know that once you do it, you will love it!!

[Passenger Mark]

So... are you scheduled??? We want photos!

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Yep - Doug is taking me up in a Cessna 172 when I am in Nashville next week as long as his schedule is free and the weather is good.

YIKES - WHAT have I gotten myself into????

Kelley

[Debbielevis2]

Kelley ---

You'll be so busy staring at Doug that you won't even remember that you're "up there"!!!

THAT'S great going, Kell -- your own personal pilot!:tiphat

Deb (Hey, no jealous smileys????)

[WillFlyToDisney2]

LOL Deb,

Doug is a good friend and he IS a cutie. He wont be wearing a commercial pilot uniform (unless he borrows one from his brother!) so I think he is safe from my drooling that day.

I just cant wait to see out the FRONT windows!!

Kelley

[Disney fan]

Can't wait to hear about your trip!!


Lynda:bigplane