Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

Winter Park, Colorado
"MY run!"
Apres ski at Derailer Bar

The clan!

Doodle bug playing with his trucks

Dad, Kevin, Jason and Beverly with their sleds

Here comes Jason, there goes dad. Don't get stuck, like I did!

Kevin and Jason

Our favorite bar in Grand Lake!

The Bell's and Henson's!

Jason and I

at Breckenridge

My tail feathers are clipped, I SOLOED!!!

After almost 20 hours of dual lessons with my instructor Melissa, I have now flown solo on my own!!!! After 13 takeoff and landings last night from PDK, Melissa asked if I thought I was ready to solo the next day. I said, "Of course!". But for some reason I think my landings last night were better than today. I guess that's a good thing because night landings can be tricky, just give me VASI (visual approach slope indicator) lights and I'm ok! What made today even more special was to hear "Lawrenceville tower, November 9861 Charlie, request to land". Mom and dad made a surprise visit to watch me fly solo, which was very cool. Although dad may want to work on his radio communication a little and listen better. "9861 Charlie, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" (Voice of ATC!) It was a simple misunderstanding, but I will admit that my next landing with my instructor wasn't so good because I was listening to what ATC and my dad were doing. But I guess dad and the ATC made up for things because they let them in the tower to watch me. Then Melissa joined them while I went on my own for 3 takeoffs (to a complete stop) and landings. The first one may have touched down more than once, but it was safe, just not pretty. The second one was decent, although I think I skidded the tires applying too much brake. And the third was not so bad, but not a "greaser"! Next I will be working on my cross country flights and hopefully I will wrap this up in another 20+ hours! It's been fun, but the "finesse" of landings will come with more time. Right now I'm just glad they are SAFE landings!!! So here are a few pics from today after my landings. By the way, Melissa is cutting my "tail feathers" in the picture where she is cutting my shirt. It's part of tradition, and I'm just glad to be apart of it! Thanks again mom and dad for coming to watch and give me the moral support!!

Me, November six six niner Bravo Delta and my original mentors mom and dad!

Me and my awesome instructor, Melissa! "Who's f@%${}g this chicken?"

Be gentle, this is my first time, soloing.

Can we get a bigger pair of scissors?? :)

Fly me courageous

"Wrap me high in the sky, circle me with stallions. She flew from peak to peak with the freedom of an eagle. So fly me courageous." -Drivin' n Cryin'

Now 9 lessons and 12.2 hours officially logged, progress has been made on this future PIC (pilot in command). My instructor tells me I need to have my medical exam and presolo written exam done pretty soon, she's about to let me loose and SOLO! I hope to do so before I go to Colorado next week skiing and snowmobiling, but we'll see. The biggest thing I have to work on is consistency in setting the plane up to land. I can get it to the end of the runway and judge if I am too high or too low, but the plane will virtually fly itself if you set it up right. There are certain airspeed's, that if achieved correctly, will set the plane up to land "on its own". And of course I still have work to do when you get the plane in the flare just before you land. Remember, look at the END of the runway, not the nose of the plane! Crosswinds are also a challenge, but that too comes with time.

Flying with the "foggles" on to simulate IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions.

Takeoff from Runway 2L, crossing over 2R at PDK. The asphalt paved runway on the right in this picture is Runway 2L/20R, mainly for small airplanes. The other long concrete Runway is for small planes and jets, which are many every day.

"Flight attendents please take your seat, and return your trays to the upright position!"

A nice view of downtown ATL and even the Georgia Dome.