Learning to Fly, video

Earning a pilot’s license is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I learned to fly at TAS, Inc., located at the Brandywine Airport in West Chester, PA, USA. Here’s a video showing some great footage both in the air and on the ground.

As you saw in the video, TAS has been teaching people to fly for more than 20 years. Not only were my instructors great pilots, they were friendly people who enjoyed the process of teaching a rookie how to fly. The right instructor will help you along the way, and if you have a good attitude, you’ll be flying solo in no time. Remember, always do your checklist!

Published in: on October 12, 2012 at 2:16 pm  Leave a Comment  
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From 2500

Here’s a look from the starboard side of that Diamond DA-40, flying at about 2500 feet over Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA, looking to the south.

It was a beautiful, clear day over southeastern Pennsylvania, but from just north of Reading, there was a wall of clouds that blocked my flight into the hinterlands. Too bad. I was looking forward to a long flight, visiting some friends, and then winging back home. Ah well, still a good day. That Diamond is a nice cruiser.

Published in: on June 17, 2012 at 9:54 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Slippery Bird, (DA-40)

Here’s a photo of the Diamond DA-40 I mentioned in the previous post. This airplane is one slippery bird. It’s made of composite materials, which means no rivets, just a few screws here and there, and fairings to reduce drag around key components.

All that smoothness means you can get a bit more speed out of 180 horsepower as compared to the same amount of ponies in the front of a Cessna 172. Of course, there’s more to it than that, including a different wing design and so forth. Either way, the Diamond DA-40 is a great plane. I’ve flown it on a few cross country journeys now, getting used to the electronics and handling characteristics. Plus, the visibility through that canopy is amazing.

Don’t forget, ALWAYS do your checklist.

Published in: on June 16, 2012 at 10:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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Diamond DA-40

Recently, I was checked out in the Diamond DA-40 airplane. This is a great single engine aircraft. It has a slippery profile, which means it will easily cruise at 125 knots using its 180 horsepower efficiently. I’ve taken it on a few short cross county flights in anticipation of some longer trips. Stay tuned for photos and videos. Nothing just yet, because I don’t fool around with the cameras until I’m very comfortable handling the airplane. Soon, hopefully, the video archive will be augmented with some great footage from up there. Remember, ALWAYS do your checklist.

Published in: on June 11, 2012 at 11:03 am  Leave a Comment  
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