Northwest Flying Photography Blog

So my plan it to get current again prior to winging my way to Airventure this summer in a borrowed Cessna 182, or maybe a borrowed 210, or maybe a borrowed something else. Actually, it will most likely be my compatriot Scott who will be doing the borrowing with me quietly hanging out in a dark corner before jumping into the airplane right before it taxies to the runway. Be that as it may, the plan is to get to Oshkosh this year in a small aircraft, and before I do that, I want to get current.

It’s been two years since I’ve been Pilot in Command of an aircraft and while I don’t think the FARs have changed that much in the intervening time, I’m certain that my memory of them has certainly degraded. Not to mention the almost certain decline of much neglected skills like chart reading, flight planning and navigation. With all that, I feel like I need to start all over in ground school before I call up the local FBO and schedule a Bi-annual Flight Review. To that end I’ve purchased the ASA test prep book and a new FAR/AIM, which I hope will get me going for my next aircraft checkout. I plan on taking a couple of hours of instruction prior to getting my BFR, so hopefully everything be smooth sailing, or rather, smooth flying.

I’m also planning on doing my flight planning the old fashioned way, with a sectional, a plotter and an E6-B. Oh sure, I could just go buy a fancy computer flight planner, but where is the fun in that? And just in case you are wondering, no, I’m not planning on navigating to Oshkosh on nothing but a compass and a stopwatch.

I’ve been to Airventure a couple times when I was working for the man, but this will be the first time I’ve been as just a participant, not to mention that it will be the first time I’ve not flown commercial. It will be extra special this time because the poor sod I’ve convinced to fly with me has never been to the show, so he doesn’t know about the hordes of rampaging wildebeests or the ritual cat dancing…Just seeing if you were paying attention.

Anyway, it should be a busy couple of months as I re-learn and reapply all that pilot type stuff.

Can I borrow your airplane?

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Hiya folks! 2010 planning is underway with me feverishly collecting airshow dates and making my mind up about conflicts. McChord is having their expo again this year, and I’ve always thought I should go to Abbotsford for their show. We’ll see what happens once I get everything on the calendar.

In Other news, I’m happy to announce the launch of Why Fly; an on-line multimedia journal developed by my friends,  Hal, Mike, Michelle, and Glenn. Are all fantastic people that are passionate about aviation and passionate about brining a new view of aviation to all you propeller heads out there. Plus they let me show my stuff, so I have to say that they show excellent taste. With photo’s, videos and some great articles, you should defiantly keep Why Fly in your Favorites. 

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