This will be a V-day to remember. Went to Executive Airport to take a flight that had been a Christmas present from the family. Even though it was an introductory flight, son Thomas broke the news that I'd taken him numerous times on flights to various places. With that out of the way we went out to the Cessna 172 that looked a little worse for wear. The instructor pilot, Brashear, was comfortable with the airplane and we soon were underway. He asked me if I wanted to taxi the plane. I pretty much held it on the center line with the rudder pedals (which were stiffer than I remembered). He gave me the liftoff and climb speeds and I got the bird into the air. We climbed to 3,000 feet and he said the plane was mine. I did a few turns to avoid the skydiving areas and with no other planes in the sky we tooled around and I did some Dutch rolls and turns and then with numerous airplane anecdotes from both Brashear and me we enjoyed being in the air. Then it was time to head back. Brashear did the landing and I taxied us back.
Thomas was waiting for us and we all walked back to Executive Flyers and then it was off to meet my brother for a coffee klatch. Here's a photo taken by Thomas before the flight.
