I love flying in planes. Thanks to Groupon , 9 Feb 12, I decided to kiss the sky. I purchased a voucher to fly with Air Ventures PDK located at Dekalb Peachtree Airport.What possessed me to do this you ask? Those famous 2 words … why not.
I, like millions of others, have flown airplanes a million times thanks to gaming consoles, pc games, etc so I figured I had this in the bag. Arriving at Dekalb Peachtree Airport I became more excited seeing the row of planes.
Entering PDK’s office I was greeted by Colin Gornall at the front desk and filled out the necessary paperwork. Colin also was my instructor. Colin is looked like he would be behind your favorite IT guy, after me of course than a flight instructor. It shows I have watched too many movies where the instructor is some tough old guy with a big moustache and speaks in clichés. Seeing Colin put more at ease. In the fight instruction room Colin’s first question was did I have plans for the weekend. For a split
second my brain went huh until I figured out he wanted to know if I had a reason to live. I assured him I have a lot to live for and returning home the same way arrived was my goal. Besides my gaming experience I informed Colin of my military background of working on airplanes and knowledge of flight plans and communications.
Entering PDK’s office I was greeted by Colin Gornall at the front desk and filled out the necessary paperwork. Colin also was my instructor. Colin is looked like he would be behind your favorite IT guy, after me of course than a flight instructor. It shows I have watched too many movies where the instructor is some tough old guy with a big moustache and speaks in clichés. Seeing Colin put more at ease. In the fight instruction room Colin’s first question was did I have plans for the weekend. For a split
second my brain went huh until I figured out he wanted to know if I had a reason to live. I assured him I have a lot to live for and returning home the same way arrived was my goal. Besides my gaming experience I informed Colin of my military background of working on airplanes and knowledge of flight plans and communications.
Colin performed preflight checks as I psyched myself up for the adventure of a lifetime. I slid into the cockpit, received my extra instrument information, and adjusted my pilot headset and seat. Colin taxied us out to a spot on the tarmac and said your turn. I am a speed demon in a car that uses hand and feet combos to make a vehicle do mystical things. Taxiing is a feet only operation. My brain and hands were fighting the whole time I was taxiing because they didn’t know what to do. I would give myself a C in taxiing only because at one point my hands stage a coup and I went off course on the runway.
The moment of truth had arrived. Colin lined us up on the run way revved
the plane up to its maximum potential and said OK pull back slowly on the stick and TAKEOFF. I have taken off a ton of times including being in the cockpit of a KC-135R but to have the wheel in my hand whoa!!! I pulled back on the stick and could not really tell we lifted off the ground UNTIL the plane figuratively shifted to the right in the air ……………………………….. In my head I cursed and was like what did I get myself into? My Philly persona kicked in and kept me cool.
the plane up to its maximum potential and said OK pull back slowly on the stick and TAKEOFF. I have taken off a ton of times including being in the cockpit of a KC-135R but to have the wheel in my hand whoa!!! I pulled back on the stick and could not really tell we lifted off the ground UNTIL the plane figuratively shifted to the right in the air ……………………………….. In my head I cursed and was like what did I get myself into? My Philly persona kicked in and kept me cool.
We took off and immediately downtown was the horizon. My goal was to keep the plane at a steady altitude of 3000 feet giving the plane a clearance of 500 feet above the highest tower and 500 feet below Atlanta Hartsfield airspace. We flew a left turn flight plan to include taking off, crosswinds, downwind, base and landing. I flew over downtown Atlanta and then set our course to Stone Mountain. Wow is all I can say. Flying that low over places you’ve encountered traffic which made even sailors go wow what a mouth on you and seeing God’s view of sites such as the Stone Mountain area and later Lake Lanier was amazing. Colin made sure I didn’t try to fly us into the sun or try to cut in front of anyone at a drive-thru. I knew he was there to bail me out but I was in total control and felt at ease. Colin told me navigate the
plane towards Lake Lanier, the area where I live after giving me a one of a kind tour of the Stone Mountain area. We arrived at Lake Lanier Islands area and then
turned towards Sawnee Mountain passing over where I live.
It was time to tell the Colin the truth. The first 5 minutes of the flight I was
scared as all get out but was not going to give up.
Getting knocked around by winds with the stick in your hand is much
different than sitting in a jumbo jet and feeling the butterflies dancing in
your stomach. Below is a video of
me flying the plane and our landing (Colin landed the plane).
plane towards Lake Lanier, the area where I live after giving me a one of a kind tour of the Stone Mountain area. We arrived at Lake Lanier Islands area and then
turned towards Sawnee Mountain passing over where I live.
It was time to tell the Colin the truth. The first 5 minutes of the flight I was
scared as all get out but was not going to give up.
Getting knocked around by winds with the stick in your hand is much
different than sitting in a jumbo jet and feeling the butterflies dancing in
your stomach. Below is a video of
me flying the plane and our landing (Colin landed the plane).
All-in-all I had an awesome experience and time flying with Colin
and PDK. I have one more thing to say I have done and can cross off my to-do list. I plan on flying again with Air ventures PDK and Coil Gornall who wants to go?
and PDK. I have one more thing to say I have done and can cross off my to-do list. I plan on flying again with Air ventures PDK and Coil Gornall who wants to go?
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