My copilot Julian…
“You’re a good pilot.”
That’s what I heard after receiving a call on my cell phone from six-year old Julian after our flight today. I was already sporting one of those “I just flew an airplane” grins but when I got this call my smile just went off the charts. I was quick to return the compliment because Julian had been a great copilot!
Julian earned his wings today. His father Marco is a good friend of mine and fellow cyclist. We took advantage of a clear, blue sky and headed northwest to the Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg, Texas. Home of the famous Hangar Hotel - a popular destination for many of my “first flights.”
We took off in calm conditions only to discover that less than 50 nautical miles northwest, the wind had picked up and - as is usually the case for me - lined up directly 90 degrees to the right of the runway. The weather report indicated winds from 230 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 19 knots. The crosswind component was literally whatever happened to be the wind speed as we came in - no headwind, no tailwind…just a total crosswind!
I landed with 20 degrees of flaps to keep my speed up on touchdown and after wrestling the yoke a bit brought us safely to a halt. We enjoyed some ice cream at the Airport Diner and checked out one of the rooms at the Hangar Hotel. I’m starting to think I should get a commission for all the people I have introduced to that place!
When we departed, the winds had picked up even more with the wind being reported as 220 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 23! As we sped down the runway, I put full right aileron into the wind and did some jockeying with the rudder pedals while delaying the lift-off until we had plenty of additional forward momentum.
Once we climbed through some rough air down low, we enjoyed a nice smooth ride at 5,500 feet with Julian manning the right seat up front. He even did some shallow banks to the left and right all by himself. Most impressive!
He also handled the bumps at lower altitudes like a champ. I know his father was very proud. I was proud of both of them!
So…congratulations to Julian! An excellent copilot and an official Young Eagle!
Frances said,
January 3, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Justin,
Thank you so much for giving my son such an adventure he will never forget.
You have been so good to my family in giving them a wonderful time to share as father and son. You are truly a good friend.
Sincerely,
Frances Villarreal
Justin said,
January 4, 2007 @ 6:14 am
Frances,
You are so very welcome!!! It truly was an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to introduce Julian to that big sky up there.
I had a very enjoyable time and to hear that Marco and Julian are still reflecting on the fun of that experience really means a lot to me.
Jim said,
January 11, 2007 @ 10:02 am
This sounds like a replay of my “first flight” with Justin (http://www.noticetoairmen.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/3013) ….same airport, same Hangar Hotel, same friggin crosswind that (and I’ve never told Justin this) scared the bejeesus out of me!
It sounds like Julian was a better copilot than I was. But I would bet that he didn’t have any more fun than I did!!
I join the dozens, if not hundreds now, of “first-timers” that were introduced to the top of the clouds by justin and shannon, and say Thank You! It was an experience that I will never forget.
And, by the way, Julian was right….you ARE a good pilot.
Shannon said,
January 11, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Hehehe… I’m not a huge fan of crosswind landings myself. There’s something altogether freaky about being that close to the ground with the aircraft at such a grotesque angle to both the ground and the rapidly approaching runway.
That said, Justin’s a PRO at crosswind landings, and the worst one I’ve ever been with him on was during his Instrument training (so his Certified Flight Instructor was onboard and in the copilot’s seat.) It was so nasty I remember his instructor, in uncharacteristic fashion, not talking during the landing and in fact staring at Justin’s face as Justin set up to land — gauging whether his student was going to need a quick control handover or would be able to land without assistance. The landing was “textbook” and earned high praise from his instructor… and from me, once I reminded myself a proper crosswind landing feels *that* uncomfortable as a passenger.