A First Time Flyer

There is nothing quite as rewarding than being able to give someone their first flight. The expression of thier excitement as the wheels lift off the ground is un-matched by anything else.

It all started a month ago, when a neighbor kid told me that his birthday was coming up the second week of December. He had wanted me to take him flying ever since he found out I was a pilot. I told him I would take him flying for his birthday.

Well, I saw him outside about a week ago and he asked me if I could take him up. I told him we would go Saturday if the weather is good enough. Saturday came and I checked the weather. The weather was not the best for sight seeing but I was also coming up on a trip to New York City too and would not be able to take him up until after I got back from the trip.

The flight was good and Isaiah did well. He was asking excellent questions about how things work and I had fun explaining things to him. I took him out near Caesar's Creek and let him take the controls. I had him turn right and then I told him to turn left and head back the way we came from. He did really well for a twelve year old! I told him he should think about going to college and becoming an airline pilot.

After his flight I gave him prints of the pictures we took to remember this special day and gave him a pair of pin-on wings.

Flight Info:
Visibility: 10 miles
Ceiling: Overcast at 2,200 ft.
Route of flight: KMGY --> Caesar's Creek --> KMGY

Here is a video Isaiah recorded during the flight:

Jill's First Flight Adventure

Well, maybe not a big adventure but we did go somewhere, bumped into an old friend, and took a peek at a new civilian surveillance airplane in development at Greene County. The route of the flight was Dayton Wright Brothers airport (KMGY) to Caesar's Creek to the Springfield airport (KSGH) to the Greene County airporty (I19) then back to KMGY.

I was thrilled to be able to take Jill flying. I have often shared my stories with her and now she can relate with me better. One of the most exciting things to experience as a pilot is getting the chance to give someone their first flight in a small, general aviation aircraft. It's a lot different than taking a ride on an airliner. You get a front-seat view, can go wherever you want, and you can fly low enough to actually see landmarks and familiar places.

Flight Info:

• Visibility: 10 miles
• Ceiling: Overcast at 11,000 ft.
• Route of flight: KMGY --> Caesar's Creek --> KSGH --> I19 --> KMGY