de l’ivresse aux couleurs de saphir
Flew west to Morganton, just northwest of Hickory, NC. There was hardly any radio communication to manage and the scenery was rising into the mountains and very beautiful in the morning. I got a little lost on the way out there, but between the three navigational methods at my disposal (ground reference, dead reckoning and radio navigation) I got it figured out and found my way.
Life at 4500 ft.
Just out my window. Also a wing strut and a tire.
The terrain rose quickly. The Appalachians were like a wall in the distance.
Over the shoulder, looking into the morning sun.
The vitals. Top row, left to right: Clock (unused–I use my watch), airspeed indicator showing 97 kts, artificial horizon, altimeter (almost 4600 ft), navhead 1 (for radio navigation). The directional gyro (DG) under the artificial horizon shows a course of 275°, almost due west.
What saved my hide on the way out–the Barrett’s Mountain VOR beacon (circled). I drifted north of my course and couldn’t get a fix using the map alone, so I tuned in the VOR and used it and some other landmarks for reference, like…
…the long lake leading up to Hickory.
I laugh at you pithy little cars. Stoplights, pshaw.
Almost to Morganton. It’s the long clearing almost perpendicular to my flight path.
On the ground at Morganton, taxiing back for takeoff. It’s a friendly little airport. They (over)enthusiastically responded when I called in asking for a traffic advisory and told me to “Come see us again!” as I left the pattern and made my way back.
Your bonafide pilot. According to my instructor, aside from the official FAA endorsement (private pilot license), I can do it all now–operate the plane and get to and from a distant location entirely by myself, which is really all there is to flying.
More news tomorrow.
congrats! looks fun, i’d trust you to fly me anytime.
OMG you’re so tight… It cracks me up that you take pictures whilst flying.
I want to fly.
haha, i was thinking that too…
talk about multitasking!
[i’m not going to lie; i’d be doing the same thing.] ;)
/es/\\e
you bonafide you.
love the over the shoulder shot… jealous of all the time you get to spend in the air!
“pithy cars” I remember when… =)
You’ll notice takeoff and landing pictures are absent :) Pictures are taken exclusively when workload is low. I can’t be up there and not want to document a little bit, though.
Thanks for the vote of confidence :)
I can’t be up there and not want to document a little bit, though.
documentation is essential. :D
your photos are great.
Thanks Leslie :)
“pithy cars” I remember when…
Oh I still love cars. It’s just, well, you know… :)
:::pointing proudly::: “Hey, hey, I know that guy!! He can fly!”
Okay, so first, because it’s far more important than my next comment,
THAT‘S SO AWESOME!!!
WAH HOO!!!!!
I remember a Saturday not too long ago when you were doing your first flight block (I think…) and I believe I asked afterwards if that made you a “real pilot now” and you said, “Oh, no… that’s a long way off!” Not that long, my friend! : ) You need to celebrate!!!
Okay, now the stupid comment… did you notice in that third picture that if you tilt your head a little to the right, then the trees look like an aardvark? I found that quite interesting! It’s like the opposite of being on the ground and seeing shapes in the clouds!
Hahaha
Thanks Elizabeth :) Yeah, that was after my first solo, at the end of October. Maybe I’ll celebrate this weekend. We’ll see.
I’m still looking for the aardvark… Will let you know when I see him :)
Upon further inspection:
Stoplights, pshaw.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
CONAN
Are you mocking my pshaw? :)
BLACK AND WHITE BLOCK O’ BLINKS
Heavens no… :)
this is good that you are “official” now because if i ever know anyone who wants their ashes scattered from a plane, i can hook them up.
LOL
best comment ever
That’s been my goal all along. I’m hoping to break into the ashes-scattering scene in a big way.
Have fun at your party!
Have you been to the Celtic Cafe yet? If not, I highly suggest it! And perhaps with a somewhat more permissible crowd if ya get my drift! :::begin Irish accent::: I here they serve a variety of tasty ales on tap in the old pub yonder! : )
As for the aardvark… you realize it’s not an actual aardvark walking around on the ground, right? I mean, they’re not really indigenous to our state… or continent for that matter!
So in my course about Technological Catastrophes……
Congrats man :o)
I haven’t been there yet, but it’s certainly caught my eye. I’d like to go there this weekend perhaps, but I wouldn’t know who to invite from the group. It’s not exactly an easy thing to feel out.
And I finally saw the aardvark! He’s got a couple of bare spots it seems (on his back and just above his back legs), but he’s there all right :)
Hahaha
Thanks D-Qwon :)