Ron's First Flights

Looking at the movie above gives you a since of why I am pursuing this endeavor, its relaxing, meditative and you leave your emotional baggage behind. This my first post, I am trying to get my Private Pilots License, and this journey has had it up and downs. I am going to try and post some of my problems and adventures.
This dream of mine really started back in 1972 in Alaska.

I was station at Galena Air
field Station, and the only way in there was by
plane and or barge. In the winter time the only way was by plane because the Yukon was frozen about 10-20 feet thick or more. This journey of mine started when I was trying to fine ways to pass some time. Some of those ways were drinking or flying. I took flying after I tried drinking, the one big difference was at lease I felt better after flying. After a year of mosquitoes, black gnat, -100 degree of temperature it was time to leave for +110 degree New Mexico. (Man what a temp change. I think I found out what a turkey felt like in a 300 degree oven). I left before I had my required 40 hours, this was required before I could even look at trying for a check ride. I was short by 3.6 hours, what a bummer. I look at it this way during those other 36.4 hours of flight I enjoyed the outstanding scenery very much and seeing all kinds of animal like moose running wild, sometimes running to get away from the mosquitoes, what a sight.

When the Yukon ice broke up, being only 1/4 miles from our room it was spectacular, the sound was like a train going through your room, and it was quite a sight, watching it float down the river trying to make those big corner.




When I left there I didn't get a chance to get back to flying till many years, because of moving, work schedules, family needs, and or no place to learn, like flying clubs. Well that takes me up to 1997 when I retired and found out that our little town has a flying club. Now I am back into flying, joined with 24 flying club members. Having fun going for the goal of a pilots license.

Trying to finish what I stated, this time I have a grandson that thinks this is "Cool Grandpa".

I am now getting my ground school behind me, again. Presently refreshing my mind by reviewing the book, asking questions, all this so I can schedule and take my ground school test.

So Far I have added another 33 hours have my second solo, this time in a piper Tomahawk, last time 20 some years ago it was in a Cessna 150.

I have done a short night cross country with instructor that was beautiful with a full moon, it better that way so we can see the mountains, that are all around us. You have to fly the canyons until you have enough altitude. I also have flown into some of the local airport in the areas, a lot of pilots say our strip is the best 3000 foot grass airstrip in central Idaho. http://www.airnav.com/airport/S73

I still need to get my long cross country flight, my night cross county flight, final review, then my check ride. All these might take awhile since I now have a lot time commitments. I waited this many years, so I am not rushing it. I will keep you all informed as we go on my journey. All this is taking place from Kamiah Idaho.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,

I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untresspassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee

No 412 squadron, RCAF

Killed 11 December 1941

http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/spitfire/hiflight.htm