Thursday, May 15, 2008

First Flight

I flew up to Rome, Georgia (KRMG) this past weekend. I jumped at the opportunity to fly a friend up to Gadsden, Alabama to pick up a motorcycle that he bought recently and since Rome is only about a 40 minute flight from there I continued on and visited my Mom for the Mothers Day weekend.

I have been trying to get together with my brother Ryan for quite some time to take his boys up in the airplane. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I thoroughly enjoy sharing flight. This flight, however was even more exciting for me because it was the first time any of the boys had been up in an airplane.

Ryan met me at the old Center, Alabama (C22) airport with his kids. Megan, 3 years old, came along but it was obvious from the get-go that she wasnt going to have anything to do with this orange and white machine that swooped down out of the sky and picked up her brothers one at a time.

It was very important that the boys go up in order. Zachary, being the oldest, had to go first. He was followed by Tyler. Then Dillon, aka "Fester" wrapped it up.

Zachary thought flying was the coolest thing. He told me he just turned 11 and the flight was the best way he could think of to end his birthday week. He got out of the airplane grinning from ear to ear.

Tyler approached the airplane cautiously with a little bit of a forced smile. Once in the air he gained confidence. Especially after I let him take the controls for a short time.

Dillon came up without a care. While in the air he talked about every imaginable way we could crash the airplane. He said he would only be scared if he were riding out on the wings.

Ryan said all three boys talked about their flights the rest of the weekend. They should know I am still talking about it!