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Posted by
@ 04:57 PM, August 23
Hey Brady, we were up at the same time last night!
I took a friend up around 7:30 or so. We flew over the county fair, and I saw some R/C planes flying out at the drag strip (former airport) and circled around before diving towards them. Went out to 8G6 for a touch&go, and back over the fairgrounds home to 2G2. Even though I have a private rating, I was 5 days out of night currency so had to be back by dark. (I made it by about 5 minutes!)
Why does prepping and pre-flight always take longer than expected?
Sounds like you had a very nice date, and I'm sure your wife thought the evening was quite romantic. (A flight with someone you love, dinner with drinks and dessert served in the hangar, then dancing? How can you go wrong?)
Fun is what it's all about. Glad to see you're enjoying it!
Doug
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Posted by
@ 09:52 AM, August 24
Hey Brady,
Sounds like your had a wonderful evening. I am so looking forward to doing what you have just done. Danielle (My Fiance) is ready as well... Since she has flying in her background, she is all pumped up and ready for me to finish my PPC so we can venture out on flying dates also. Sounds like your wife had a great time and I am sure that you felt just as good knowing that you can finally share your passion for flight with somebody you care about.... It sure makes flying so much more fun to be able to share it with somebody else.....
Congrats on all your success....
Garrett
www.mypilotchronicles.com
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Posted by
@ 10:27 AM, August 24
Hey Brady, looks like you hit that one out of the park. Thanks for letting us see the flight.
I’m sure the wife thought it was very romantic. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and see what happens. This one worked out pretty well didn’t it? Great decision to over-ride the original plan, by the way.
Assuming you’re headed to ROG to give the Remos back to Chris.
When I first started flying long cross-countries I really worked hard to make sure I knew exactly where I was at any given time. As I gained experience and confidence I relaxed a little more but I still make sure all of my i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.
It helps me to have the mindset that an unscheduled overnight stay may be necessary, no matter what is going on the next day. All of mine have been weather related with one exception, which was a mechanical issue. This may sound a bit morbid but it drives the point home: There’s nothing going on tomorrow worth dying for today.
I know you’ll have all the sectionals you need but I also get WAC charts for the route. Draw your course on the WAC chart in blue ink (easier to see) and make position notes right on it as you progress. I used to put an X marking my position and note the time. How often you do that will depend upon how comfortable you are with flying to unfamiliar territory. Every 15 minutes once established at altitude is a good place to start. Just make sure you use the correct scale on the ruler when checking distance…
If you need more detail you’ll have the sectionals but the WAC chart is easier to use for a long flight. My wife (she isn’t a pilot but likes to verify our position on the charts) likes WAC’s because she doesn’t have to refold them as often as a sectional.
I’m sure you know this but AOPA has great airport information for each stop along the way that you can print out in kneeboard format. I also print out possible alternates just in case.
Since your Remos doesn’t have one, see if you can borrow a hand-held GPS. I’m willing to bet that you’ll buy one after seeing how useful they are.
The Remos is ok for a long flight but my experience has been that after about three to three and a half hours in that airplane, I’m ready for a break. That would put you in Rogers in two easy hops.
For me the key is to over-prepare. Fly safe and let us know how it goes.
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Posted by
@ 03:07 PM, August 24
Hi Brady! I'm so happy you are still sharing your experiences. Like you, my first passenger was my wife Ann. It was on January 2nd 2005. People asked me, where did you take her? My reply was: "I took Ann to cloud nine". I actually had trouble after I landed at Lowell Airport, my flaps were stuck all the way down. At that Airport we always have to do short field take-offs, because of high trees obstacle. I had to take off an inspection pannel and worked the limit swiches and managed to get the flaps back up. My wife saw me do a forward slip at our final destination because I didn't dare to use the flaps again. I am glad to see that I am not the only to put my wife first. It sure loked like you had,even though things didn't go as planned, a wonderful special time with your wife. Again, thanks for sharing. God bless you! Paul & Ann
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Posted by
@ 06:25 PM, August 24
BRAVO ZULU ... well done, Brady !
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Posted by
@ 02:18 AM, August 25
Brady,
Your video blog has inspired me to get my fixed wing license and join EAA. I'm a military helicopter pilot with a little over 1100 hours, but I'm excited to learn how to fly a fixed wing and to just fly for the fun of it. You've done a great service to the aviation community by putting this video blog together. I'm sure your candid videos have remove many questions others have.
One suggestion I'd make is to develop a set of personal minimums and incorporate it into a risk assessment for yourself. Before we go fly any missions, we go through a risk assessment that forces us to consider factors that have been found to increase risk. For example, the experience level of the crew and the crew rest we've had. Other factors such as weather come into play: winds, density altitude, ceilings, etc. We also consider the flight itself, how much time have we had to plan it, how long the mission is, is the crew trained to each of the maneuvers we need to perform? An example of a civilian version can be found at: http://www.fitaviation.com/safety/personal_minimum_checklist.pdf Maybe something like this would be useful for you to develop.
Good luck with the rest of your flying. I'll continue to check in to see what other adventures you've completed. Keep up the great work.
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Posted by
@ 03:04 AM, August 27
Very Cool Dude! Nicely Done.
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Posted by
@ 04:01 PM, August 27
That's Very Romantic.
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Posted by
@ 08:20 PM, August 27
Your first passenger story was wonderful. good man! I got my ticket 2 weeks ago and am about to take my wife up. I enjoyed hearing your story.
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Posted by
@ 09:37 PM, August 27
What a great experience to share flying with your spouse. I've been a pilot for almost 20 years but my wife of 16 years is not a huge fan - she's only been up with me a few times. Definitely a bonus to have a spouse who participates in your passion if you want to justify the time and expense involved with making it a priority over other competing activities. I did all of my flying in Michigan and one of most scenic, unique trips I took was to Mackinac Island. This would make a great cross country for you and your wife over a weekend - highly recommended.
Best regards,
Jerry "Sonny" Webster
EAA 738574
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Posted by
@ 10:42 PM, August 27
Brady,
My wife Lee was my first also. But the way I got Her up is a story in itself. Her line was " I will not go up unless I have a parachute ". I started asking her even before I soloed. But got the same answer. I told her how safe it was and she came back with all the stories I told her about LITTLE problems during some of my flights. Things like flat tire on landing, that was a trip, lost the tachometer, dead radio while flying at a class D airport, to name a few. So after I passed the checkride I made plans. " OK, but you have to go flying with me tomorrow ". That was the answer, now for her question so I could use MY answer. It came, " want to go to the casino for dinner and play a little?". INSERT MY ANSWER. After a pause " ok ". YAHOO!! Flight went fine. Flew over the house, waved at the grandkids out in front. After a hour flying around Olympia, Washington we went back and landed at KOLM, but she looked BORED as we flew. Walking back to the FBO I asked her what she liked about the flight. " The take-off and landing" she answered. DAH! As I picked up my jaw I my good pilot decision making skills formed the correct answer, " OK, we do some T&G's next time, ok?" " Ok ", she said. more to come.
Brady, now that you are pilot you have to get check out in other aircraft. I got an endorsement for a Ercoupe 415C. The no rudder pedals airplane. Fun to fly. The CFI who check me out was impress with my flying abilities. Never bounced a landing. A low wing is different than a high wing, in more ways than one, got to try it.
All the best, fly safe.
JOHN
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Posted by
@ 11:20 PM, August 27
Brady, Congratulations on your license to learn! The Cross-Country Flight will allow you to put it all together. My advise is to not allow others to influence your go/no-go decisions. You may be faced with factors that are beyond your skills and abilities. Never "have to" get somewhere. If you allow yourself an alternative before you depart you are much more likely to make the proper decision in the air. Enjoy the gift of flight and the joy that it brings to be able to share it. This is a freedom that few can enjoy other than in the US. I am currently deployed to Afghanistan with Operation Enduring Freedom so my flying is on the computer but I am already planning my trip to Oshkosh with my grandsons upon my return. Maybe we can meet to share stories then.
David Ellis
TF Cyclone
LTC, Bagram Air Base
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Posted by
@ 07:35 AM, August 28
You say you are going to Arkansas. Where? I grew up in AR and my kids are in NW AR. I enjoyed flying to KFYV from TX to visit them in my own airplane. 3.5 hour round trip rather than a 8 hour round trip driving. Sadly, I have had to sell it due to medical problems. Enjoy, keep learning and getting more ratings.
Feel free to email me directly as I might not get back the website soon.
Ross CPSEL/IA (grounded)
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Posted by
@ 10:46 AM, August 28
Congrats on achieving this milestone! Now you can begin enjoying your flying for real, except that now you'll have to measure up to your most demanding evaluator__yourself! You hold your wife's very life in your hands__along with that of anyone else who flies with you. Be careful, but not anxious. If she's into flying, as seems to be the case, you've got it made! My instructor (42 yrs. ago) told me upon my getting the private license, that if all the aviation knowledge was a mountain, I'd be lucky to have a shovelful at that point. That wasn't a put-down of me, just a reminder that the private enabled me to BEGIN learning about flying and was not a license to forget half of what I'd already learned. Most people who get into trouble in airplanes get there by exceeding either their own or their airplane's limitations in regard to weather. If you can't honestly regard yourself as reasonably confident at any time during a flight, LAND the airplane or TURN AROUND! Doing so is not an admission of lack of experience, or lack of confidence, it is a demonstration of excellent judgment__the NUMBER ONE factor in others' judgment of the quality of a pilot. Be safe and have fun!
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Posted by
@ 11:12 AM, August 28
Congratulations on earning your PVT, and on your first flight as pilot in command. It is totally cool that your wife is game to join you on these adventures, and roll with the flow and still have fun. Thanks for being such a marvelous spokesman for flying!
Greg Brown, "Flying Carpet" columnist and author.
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Posted by
@ 11:36 AM, August 28
Congratulations on your certificate! I just earned my sport in April and I am now currently training for private at Florida Institute of Technology. I love taking people for rides. It is the most satisfying thing I can think of. Especially when I flew with my mom for the first time.
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Posted by
@ 12:38 PM, August 28
We A&Ps can fix anything! Even a botched date!
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Posted by
@ 05:18 PM, August 29
You romantic dog, you! Way to go!
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Posted by
@ 01:34 PM, August 30
Brady,
It's great that you finally got to take your wife up with you. Glad in the end it still worked out well and was such a great night for the two of you.
My first passenger was also my wife. We flew over to Augusta to have lunch at a local restaurant there. It was great.
It was great to meet you at Air Venture also. Now you have to work on your Private so you can fly at night ,)
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Posted by
@ 10:21 AM, September 01
Brady - just stumbled across your video blog and have been watching all of the videos for the past couple of days. I'm a student pilot just an hour or so away from my checkride. I have about 90 hours under my belt over the last 2 years and am anxious to get the final practical test done. I had been struggling with the short field landings as you described and felt, after 70 hours or so, that somehow I had lost it. A few flights later, everything seemed to come together. My CFI says that screwing up and feeling like you've gone backwards in training is just part of the process. Anyhow, can't wait to take my wife up on her first flight. I love the "airplane date" concept. Gonna swipe that idea if you don't mind.
Congratulations - both on the flying and the video content / quality. As an "IT guy" I appreciate all the work it takes to put together a valuable video blog as you've done here. It's great and I hope others watch, and get the bug...
Scott
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Posted by
@ 04:11 PM, September 01
Great story Brady! My wife says after I get my Private license she will see how I do for a year and if no crash she will fly with me. It's good that your wife had confidence and courage enough to wife with you so soon. Keep the updates coming.
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Posted by
@ 04:14 PM, September 01
I need to watch my typing before I press the post button. My last post should have read, it's nice that your wife was willing to fly with you so soon after getting your license.
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Posted by
@ 08:49 AM, September 02
Brady - I loved the videos and now I just started taking flying lessons here in Oshkosh! You inspired me to finally go for it, so look for another Remos in the sky above Oshkosh.
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Posted by
@ 04:36 PM, September 02
Brady,
Watching you get your PPL has been awesome. So much so I'm working on mine, and getting close to that first Solo flight. I hope my first passenger will be my wife. She says No. I think her dad scared her when she was little. Anyone have suggestions on getting a reluctant spouse to fly in a small plane? I hope you continue to share your experiences with all of us. Remember keep the shiny side up.
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Posted by
@ 08:24 PM, September 02
Thanks for sharing your story, I think that was very romantic. I wish you well.
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Posted by
@ 09:34 AM, September 04
Brady great video and story, I'm looking into learning how to fly also...
Walter
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Posted by
@ 09:41 AM, September 15
Hi Brady,
I just finished watching your videos and wanted to thank you. I'm starting my quest to become a pilot and these videos really helped me understand what's ahead. After watching the series I'm more nervous and anxious than ever before, but sharing your experience has also given me a motivation boost. I question whether I'll be able to do this well, but I look forward to the challenge. Thanks again!
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Posted by
@ 07:20 AM, September 19
Brady, Thank you for sharing your journey from start to finish on getting your pilots license. I have been searching the internet for countless hours trying to find what you have posted.I have been researching the web gathering information as to how to start the process of getting my LSA certificate. Your videos have been priceless in showing exacyly what to expect in the process. Cudos for showing the good and bad.I now feel famailer with the Remos aircraft that I will flying. Thanks again! Rich
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Posted by
@ 09:42 AM, September 19
The pics of you two show that you both apparently had a great time !! I really laughed hard at the pic of your wife with the food in the doggy-box behind her. Really cute!
I am at the 12 hr mark toward my private and flying the Remos also. I dont fit in most others like the DA-20 or any of the Cessna aircraft. I must say that your landings at the 10-12 hour mark are MUCH BETTER than mine !! :( All I can say is the gear on the Remos is alot stronger than it looks.....
Stay safe.
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Posted by
@ 04:33 PM, September 26
me next! me next!
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Posted by
@ 01:18 PM, September 27
Hey where did all the flying go ? It's been what almost a month ? !
Jees ! I used to work in a flight school up in Canada and people would fly steady every week to get their ticket. And then the moment of truth would happen and they would finally ... yeah stop flying ! Getting your ticket is your license to learn, and practice makes perfect.
Book yourself again, go flying ! Go do touch and goes, do some more ground reference maneuvers, find places to go and do a touch and go and come back, go for a 100$ Burger, do some cross country, try things ! ! !
Go ahead you can do it ... after all you did all that training for something right ?
Cheers ! Keep the blue side up ,)
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Posted by
@ 11:01 PM, October 06
Love the blog............ But what camera system did you use in the plane?
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Posted by
@ 02:11 PM, October 08
Brady, I really miss your flight updates. Just because you earned your certificate doesn't mean it's time to stop learning - What other LSA privilege endorsements will you be obtaining next? - and I hope you add those experiences to your video blog as well.
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Posted by
@ 09:53 AM, October 11
Yo Brady!
Post some flying Dude!!!!
I've got my conversion on the "Bush Baby".
Regards,
JG.
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Posted by
@ 04:46 AM, October 15
G'day mate, I see you've not done much posting of recent! Hopefully you've been doing more flying though!
I've been the same mate, no posting on the blog for nearly 2 months but the weather here has been pretty ordinary.
Got two really good flights lined up this weekend though.
Get some videos up mate!
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Posted by
@ 11:43 AM, January 17
Brady,
Just stumbled upon this link and wanted to say thank you for posting this.
It reminded me so much of my first flight as true pilot I actually started to get a little teary eyed.
Taking the fiance for a $100 hamburger on her birthday that just happens to be your first full day as private pilot.....great stuff.
We got the same late start, her door popped open enroute and the cafe was closed when we got there. But you know what, the air was smooth as glass and I even managed to relax enough on the way back to let her take the reins for a little while.
We landed at dusk, the airport was beautifully quite as her and I watched the sun set.
I haven't really thought about that flight for many years.
Your story brought it all back.
Thank you, keep flying and God bless,
Andy
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Posted by
@ 04:56 PM, February 05
Congrats Brady! Loved reading about your first trip with your wife. With no aviation experience, I finished building my own plane two years ago (Quad City Challenger II) and received my Sport Pilot ticket in that plane last Fall. The three highlights in my life have been marrying my wife, the birth of my daughter, and bringing my wife for her first flight in my plane. On a perfectly calm night, I took my wife for a flight along the scenic St. Croix river on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. My wife is deathly afraid of airplanes. After the flight, she said that she could have easily gone for another 30 minutes. Nothing in the world could make me happier than my wife enjoying a flight in a plane that I built! Our family is now addicted to the pleasures of flight. No turning back now...
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Posted by
@ 08:22 AM, July 13
On your cross cross country to Arkansas did you file a flight plan?
You didn't mention that.
I am not a pilot and am wondering about that.
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Posted by
@ 08:41 AM, July 13
Wayne, I did not file a flight plan for that trip because Jason was trailing a mile or so behind me in his Cherokee to bring me back to OSH once the plane was delivered.
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Posted by
@ 11:32 AM, July 13
Is that whole flight plan a secret?
I do not see anyone talk about that.
Is it unneccesary to file a flight plan?
Waht are the rules?
Thanks,
61 years ols and have not pulled the trigger on lessons.
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Posted by
@ 12:05 PM, July 13
Good point. Now that you mention it, there isn't much information at all on the web about when to use a flight plan or what the rules are regarding them, but it's no secret.
It's my understanding that for VFR (visual flight rules), which is what I do, you are not required to file a flight plan. If I were flying a long cross-country without another plane coming along, I'd definitely file one before leaving. In VFR flying, flight plans are only used in case a search and rescue team would need to come looking. If I ran into trouble on my trip to Arkansas, I knew Jason would be right on my tail so I didn't file one.
If you do file a flight plan, just be sure to call and close it out after you land or the search team might be deployed.
Let me know if you have any other questions. And you should definitely start lessons. I can tell the bug has bitten you.
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Posted by
@ 01:08 PM, July 13
Yeah, i've been bitten.
Thanks for your comments. I have watched all your videos a couple (well 3) times.
I know that once i start i will not quit. It is hard to make a commitment to spend all the money involved in flying.
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Posted by
@ 02:55 PM, May 13
I have 5 hours instructions and can't wait to do what you did. I will leave on time. Great blog!!
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