In February 2007, I walked onto a cold, windy ramp at Williamson County Airport and climbed into a somewhat abused Piper Warrior, 20 minutes later I was flying it, albeit badly, but I was doing it. I remember, in May 2007, when I did my first-ever solo flight, just how relaxing it was to be alone in the plane. I remember, in June 2007, how cool it felt to be alone at an airport I’d just flown myself to, as part of my solo cross-country requirement. I remember looking at the Warrior, alone on the ramp, and looking around the airport, being the only person there, and realizing I’d just actually flown myself somewhere.
I feel a little bit like that again.
I recently returned from a 1,137 nautical mile trip in my Cherokee Six from Williamson County to Houston. I was going to Houston to attend ATOP (Airline Training Orientation Program), which is a program for pilots to be able to get some stick time in a Boeing 737 flight simulator. I booked the ATOP class back in December, while working on my Instrument Rating. I managed to complete my rating two days before heading for Houston.
I couldn’t talk anyone into going with me, so this entire flight, over 10 hours, would be solo. I felt a little bit like a student again.
The Cherokee Six can’t make it to Houston on one set of fuel tanks, so a fuel stop in Texarkana was selected for the trip down. It took me three hours to make Texarkana, all of which was VFR right until I got close, and then a cloud layer at 2,000 feet blocked my view of the ground. No worries, I was flying IFR, and surely I could manage some actual.
The approach into Texarkana was uneventful, but mother nature had other plans once I landed. On the ground, I found thunderstorms were building between me and Houston. I waited, and waited, for hours at the very nice FBO. At 5pm, I called it off, had the plane tied down and I caught a shuttle to the nearest hotel.
I can’t explain to someone who hasn’t been there just how disheartening it feels to be stuck. There I was, with my plane, on a clear, sunny evening, and I couldn’t fly, and it was all due to factors beyond my control. The sun did, however, come up in the morning, and the weather was good. I took off for Houston.
At the recommendation of the ATOP instructor, I flew directly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The controllers could not have been nicer, I tried my best to act professional, and tried to stay out of everyone’s way. I then heard the best radio call ever….
“Cactus 1234, turn left, hold short November Alpha, give way to the Cherokee, then taxi to your gate.”
“Cherokee four one x-ray, the 737 off your right will give way to you, taxi straight ahead.”
Ok, that’s just awesome.
Two days later, I was landing a 737 in San Francisco…..in the sim, of course.
Monday morning rolled around, and I departed, this time for Little Rock, for a fuel stop, and then home.
The flying itself was easy, the weather was more or less fine, and the airplane performed very well. It was the trip that got me, I just flew “Me Airlines” — I did something actually useful with my pilot certificate. I will tell you, there’s no better feeling than putting the plane away, in its comfy hangar at home, having woken up that morning over 500 miles from where you stand.
Not once was I asked to stand in line, or take my laptop from its bag. I don’t even think I was in anyone’s way. The overhead bin was never crowded, and my seatbelt didn’t even require instructions.
Sometimes flying can be useful…….and cool, at the same time.