Baby SNA wannabe flies his first plane

[AllYourBass]

I figured if I was going to submit an OCS package for SNA, I may as well find out if I like being up in the air in a tiny plane So I booked an intro lesson and flew this little Cessna around for 45 minutes or so. I was impressed with how quickly we got to Six Flags Magic Mountain versus the drive. The experience was incredible—he even gave me full control of the takeoff and landing, which I didn't expect would be the case.

We were going to fly along the California coast, but there was a VIP restriction three miles south of the airport (turned out to be Joe Biden). So I got to fly over desolation for most of the time...but I could've flown over desert my first time and been perfectly content.

A+, would fly again. And again. And again. And again...

Things I Learned:

1. I read the PHAK plenty for my ASTB prep. I've also spent 10 or so hours here and there playing flight sims. I still felt like an idiot on my first flight.
2. The rudder is a different animal. My inability to taxi in a straight line was incredibly embarrassing and incredibly hilarious.
3. Speaking of the rudder, determining when to accomplish a turn using my ailerons or using my rudder was a hilarious bout of guesswork that I just futzed around with as I enjoyed the view.
4. Speaking of the view, it was very difficult for me to strike a good balance between enjoying the view at 4,000 feet and locking my eyes tensely on the instruments.
5. Flying made for the most liberating and serene hour I've ever experienced.
6. Flight is beautiful, especially when it happens so nicely in such a rickety little plane with a manually primed dashboard and untrustworthy window latches.

 

[phrogpilot73]

When I was about 12, my dad put a gift certificate for a intro flight out of Lee Airport (I was a Flight Sim addict, and had said numerous times I wanted to be a pilot) in my Christmas stocking. I think it took a week for the smile to be peeled off my face.

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return" - Leonardo da Vinci

 

[e6bflyer]

Now take all that magic and sense of awe, throw in trying to remember 15 different complicated procedures, run checklists, talk on the radios, handle a bunch of simulated emergencies, placate an impatient instructor, fly complex course rules at 220kias, and land at 100 plus knots all while hanging on to the tail of the fastest and most sensitive aircraft you have ever flown and trying to remember which pocket you put your sick-sac into because you feel your meatball sub coming up.
There you have early stage contacts in primary.

 

[AllYourBass]

Now take all that magic and sense of awe, throw in trying to remember 15 different complicated procedures, run checklists, talk on the radios, handle a bunch of simulated emergencies, placate an impatient instructor, fly complex course rules at 220kias, and land at 100 plus knots all while hanging on to the tail of the fastest and most sensitive aircraft you have ever flown and trying to remember which pocket you put your sick-sac into because you feel your meatball sub coming up.
There you have early stage contacts in primary.

So, you're saying......................when I get to primary, don't eat meatball subs. Got it.

 

[The Chief]

When I was about 12, my dad ...

Son, is the you ???? Well he was also 12 yo, took him (with booster seat from Sportys) to Lee Cowpasture (ANP) for his first flight. Then switched to Dulles (IAD) until the dustup with a B474 on simo runway 19. Thence to Andrew AFB (ADW), soloed (SBY) on 16th BD (actually two days later due to WX) with about 250 hours. HS graduation present was a 2 hours flight in a TB10 from Edward AFB (EDW), for a very interesting logbook entry.

And 917, all the best to you.

 

[HAL Pilot]

When my daughter was 4, I strapped her car seat in the front right seat of a Cessna 172 and off we went. We took off with her holding the yoke with me, we flew straight out to the training area with her smiling and laughing as she "flew" the plane, we leveled off, she turned to look at me with a huge grin, and then power puked all the cherries she'd eaten on the way to the airport all over me.....

After that she quit having fun and just wanted out. She's flown a couple of times since in a Cessna to include 5 or 6 lessons but it's just another activity to her - nothing special. Oh well, at least I don't have to worry about paying for multiple pilot licenses in addition to college.

 

[KBayDog]

Now take all that magic and sense of awe, throw in trying to remember 15 different complicated procedures, run checklists, talk on the radios, handle a bunch of simulated emergencies, placate an impatient instructor, fly complex course rules at 220kias, and land at 100 plus knots all while hanging on to the tail of the fastest and most sensitive aircraft you have ever flown and trying to remember which pocket you put your sick-sac into because you feel your meatball sub coming up.
There you have early stage contacts in primary.

Since you brought it up, you forgot that he has to balance all of that with the following (not-all-inclusive) list of fun activities: Academics, duties, AOMs, safety stand downs, GMTs, PRTs, mando fun, formations, etc.

Oh, let's not forget AirWarriors time...where he'll get his chance to ask the obligatory NSS/selection/(insert question that shall never be asked on AW) questions.

 

[BusyBee604]

I figured if I was going to submit an OCS package for SNA, I may as well find out if I like being up in the air in a tiny plane

My intro to flight was strange & different than most... I was never a flying wannabee. I was a happy. young qual'd E-5 Submariner. I aspired to be a Sub Officer, but wasn't eligable for any commissioning program save NAVCADs. I completed all the tests required (aero. aptitude, 2-yr college eqiv., physical, etc.), submitted my package & waited. Within 4-5 months, got orders to Preflight. Figured if I was going to fly, I'd shoot for ASW (VP/VS - thought my knowledge of 'Sub tactics' would be beneficial).

Fast forward to Primary, just prior to my A-1 (first fam in the T-34), a fleet F4D-1 Skyray piloted by a nugget ENS, flew in from Jax to give primary SNAs a "ooh, aah" session. At that time, the Skyray held the world 'time to climb' record. Upon departure he was cleared for a high performane departure. He shot down the runway...burner raging , lifted off, cleaned up...then shot straight up with about 3 slow rolls until disappearing from sight. My military goals changed instantly. I had become a wannabee "Ford Jockey"!

Working hard through Pri/Basic, I got Jet Advanced but alas, by the time I winged, fleet Fords were history and were only flying in the USAF controlled ADC as interceptors & nuggets were not welcome in the two VF(AW) Squadrons.

I did manage to score orders to VF-94 at NAS Alameda/RANGER, which was then redesignated VA-94, receiving a brand new bag of the [then] state-of-the-art Skyhawks, and flew happily ever after! The End.
BzB

 

[OscarMyers]

Since you brought it up, you forgot that he has to balance all of that with the following (not-all-inclusive) list of fun activities: Academics, duties, AOMs, safety stand downs, GMTs, PRTs, mando fun, formations, etc.

Oh, let's not forget AirWarriors time...where he'll get his chance to ask the obligatory NSS/selection/(insert question that shall never be asked on AW) questions.

.......and to start up his own blog

 

[Gatordev]

Son, is the you ???? Well he was also 12 yo, took him (with booster seat from Sportys) to Lee Cowpasture (ANP) for his first flight. Then switched to Dulles (IAD) until the dustup with a B474 on simo runway 19. Thence to Andrew AFB (ADW), soloed (SBY) on 16th BD (actually two days later due to WX) with about 250 hours. HS graduation present was a 2 hours flight in a TB10 from Edward AFB (EDW), for a very interesting logbook entry.

And 917, all the best to you.

Funny. I have several flights with Lee in a Tri-Pacer over the Bay. My parents gave me a birthday flight when I was 12 (not with Lee) and then I flew several flights with Lee before we moved from Annapolis down to FL.

Solo'ed at 16 (on my birthday, of course) and got my PPL at 19 (school got in the way at 17). But I still remember Lee and his gruff attitude and hunchback stature.

 

[Praying4OCS]

My daughter's first flight in the 172 was in Dec. She's six and was so relaxed. She even flew for a bit. It was great.

 

[KBayDog]

View attachment 11246

Damn.

 

[Jim123]

Damn.

FIFY.

 

[Praying4OCS]

Damn.

Yep. Thats where they kept Megatron.

 

[OscarMyers]

What no permanent TFR over the dam like there is over Disney World? Very cool pics, I can't wait to take my little girl flying, not sure it would be enjoyable at 18 months though.