Glassy Ottawa River Water
Aircraft: C172
Registration: C-GYWN
Dual Time: 0.0 Total: 53.9
PIC Time: 0.6 Total: 24.5
Total Time: 78.4
METAR CYND 181100Z CCA 26003KT 15SM FEW250 M06/M09 A3027
Today is a very special day in the history of flight. My flight history that is. Today marks our One Year Anniversary! Since Rica and I have had all aviation related events surrounding our wedding, I found it only fitting that we book a flight for 8:00 this morning. (I originally had something much cooler planned, that never worked out)
I did not feel great getting up at 6:30 to check the weather. Soon things cheered me up as I realized how gorgeous this morning would be for flying. It was. You can see how still the air was by the glassy water photo above.
Jessica asked me if she could invite a friend along who is taking Aerospace Engineering at Carleton, being the ambassador to GA we are we said of course!
The aircraft had frosty wing covers but the preflight went off without a hitch and in record time thanks to my co-pilot. I’m almost becoming spoiled having Rica fly with me as she pitches in so many places that were my sole domain just a short while ago. Funny how I can reflect on how she helps me and is my co-pilot in life as much as she is for this one short flight.
I’m almost ashamed to say there is not much to talk about on this flight. Really we flew for .6 of an hour, it was glorious clear sky with cool temps. The sun beat down on us as we cruised around the Quebec airspace just being happy to be airborne. Flying here and there, turning as we wished and mostly enjoying the freedom offered by an early fall morning.
There was really no mission to this flight other than to say we did it because we could. It caps a journey that began many years ago and allows me to reflect on the wonderful people who helped get me here.
I thought of James, my very first instructor and the man who gave me my first taste of the sky. Of Simon and Brenda who make sure that we have the chance to fly at all. I thought of Steven who got me thru some of the scariest flying I have done to date and of course of Mat who bridged the gap everywhere in between and whipped me into a cross country champion.
I keyed the mic requesting a field advisory and the familiar voice of Louis crackled in my headset, a reassuring sound out of the silence. Last active runway zero niner. I thought of the dispatchers who help manage bookings and keep the system flowing especially on our day just one year ago.
I pulled the power abeam the numbers, ensured the way was clear and turned base. Lowering the flaps as I cleared final I glimpsed at my bride, the most beautiful and wonderful person in my world. The sun dancing across her face made her look even prettier on this most awesome morning. Looking at final now I lined the aircraft up and thought I better stop daydreaming and land this plane.
YWN came in with a small balloon and a plop but she managed to take me thru one more successful flight. Rica helped me clean up and shut down the aircraft and I realized how lucky I am. Things do not always go so well in life for us but for this moment in time, everything was absolutely perfect!
I love you Rica with all my heart, thank you for the past years and I hope we only have many more to share, many more stories to tell and maybe a flight that lasts longer than a 0.6!
Your man forever,
Michael.