Down the Valley

It’s one thing to fly an airplane thousands of feet above the ground, and quite another to fly it down a narrow valley in the back country. This blog has previously featured the Aviat Aircraft “Husky.” Here’s another video of the same aircraft following a valley to a grass strip for a very nice landing. The camera is mounted near the tail of the aircraft giving a great view of the whole approach.

Clearly this type of flying requires plenty of instruction, skill, and practice. And then the thrill of accomplishing this type of flight is priceless.

Always do your checklist!

Published in: on February 1, 2010 at 10:34 am  Leave a Comment  
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Now That’s Flying!

Take a look at this video of an Aviat “Husky” airplane.

Talk about short takeoff and landing! This plane and pilot are pushing it to the limit. The Husky is designed to be a bush plane, capable of heading out to the hinterlands carrying all the gear you’ll need to enjoy the great outdoors where there are no runways or even roads. Hence the need for a rugged aircraft. They are popular the world over as evidenced by this video from Europe. I’d like to fly one of these in a more tranquil manner. Maybe this summer I’ll take a road trip to Afton, Wyoming where they’re built. Surely the people who create a plane like this would be fun to meet.

Published in: on January 21, 2010 at 12:46 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Flying Friends

One of my friends here in Aruba is a member of the Aruba Flying Club. Late this afternoon, he invited me to meet some other members of the club and have a look at their plane. Here’s a photo of us, hanging out beside the Cessna 172 that was just back from a lesson.

aruba_flyingclubThe guy on the left is the one who re-started the club after it had ceased operation many years ago. The next fellow is a resident instructor. Then there’s my pal, and I’m last.

Thanks to the many commercial flights that come to Aruba every day, there is plenty runway. There’s also a tower to keep an eye on the traffic. This all makes it safer for new pilots. One challenge to flying in Aruba is the constant and gusty trade winds that buffet the island. You may not notice it in a jetliner, but it takes plenty of skill and quick reflexes in a 172. Training in these conditions provides valuable experience.

I’m grateful to my friends for the introduction to their club. I look forward to flying with them in the future.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on August 22, 2009 at 12:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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Forty Years and…

…counting since that first human footprint on the moon. It took brains and guts to sit atop a missile aimed at the moon, going where the odds of survival should anything go wrong were slim to none. And things had gone off plan several times before. Still, three men, climbed into the capsule to take those odds. They beat them by climbing back out alive several days later.

When you’re feeling weak or not up to any particular challenge, think of the Apollo 11 crew and all the support people who made it possible for this incredible human achievement to be logged in the history books. If they did it, you can do it, too.

Published in: on July 20, 2009 at 11:40 am  Leave a Comment  
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