I’m not an expert pilot…

I’m not a huge flying person. When we were growing up, we traveled by driving to Florida, Yellowstone, Arkansas, Mount Rushmore and other places. I also went on a couple church and school trips to New Orleans, La., San Antonio, Texas, New York City and Washington D.C.

My first flight was a trip to Florida and we were distracted by anything my parents could give us to keep us occupied as toddlers and younger elementary school-age children. More recently, I’ve flown to Phoenix, Ariz. and Seattle, Wash. All of these flights were taken on bigger aircraft and were relatively easy flights with good weather.

This past weekend, as a part of a bachelor party, I was invited to go on a personal aircraft at the Waupaca Municipal Airport. I was hesitant at first as I had heard that these airplanes had less give when going through turbulent air. I eventually agreed to participate in the adventure despite my fears. When we got to the airport, I saw what looked like a one-person plane that was about the size of a small car sitting on the tarmac. I thought, “Well, this is the end. It’s been fun, world.”

Then we went into the terminal and spoke to the man who was going to be taking us up that day. He assured me that his plane was much bigger and could fit four people including the pilot.

The skies were cloudy so we spent an hour and a half mastering the flight simulator in the terminal’s classroom. I landed the plane on the simulator while only allowing minimal casualties to take place. Finally, the clouds lifted enough so we could head for the skies.

We strapped in and I was one of the lucky ones who got to sit in the back seat. Later, in the flight, the person who was sitting in the front seat got to take the controls and steer us through the air.

The takeoff was a little rough and I was getting slightly sick through the first couple minutes as the ride was bumpier than any flight I had previously been on. Once we hit our max altitude, the bumps subsided and I was able to catch my breath a bit. We flew above the city of Waupaca and got the aerial view of the Chain O’Lakes. The pilot taught us about turbulence and how the heat radiating from the ground affects the plane in the air.

We landed peacefully and taxied back to the terminal where we took pictures and inspected the planes. I was converted. I loved the experience and even asked the pilots how to get started on owning a plane and going for your pilot’s license. I don’t know if that’ll happen anytime soon, but the thought has been planted in my mind now.

Speeding

Through

L

ife