Amazing

This was truly one of the most amazing stories of recent memory. The pilot deserves a presidential medal. The passengers are unbelievably calm after such a traumatic event. This event will stand in the annals of aviation history as simply incredible. The people of New York City and particularly the operators of the tugs and … Read more

Passenger flight

Last night after work I took my boss for an airplane ride. He’d never been up in a small plane before and I’m sure he was hesitant to go, but at the same time possessed enough curiosity to carry through with the plan.

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Abbey flight

Last night as I looked at the western sky I thought that this afternoon might be good flying weather. I called the FAA and got an outlook briefing for Thursday’s weather. It looked good. I called Olean-Cattaraugus Aviation and reserved their Cessna Skyhawk for Thursday afternoon. Today I arrived at Olean Airport a few minutes before 5 pm. I pre-flighted N65003 and started the plane, taxied to Runway 22, completed my pre-flight and took off.

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Doors

Today started out with a drive over the Mt. Irenaeus for Mass this morning. I wasn’t going to go, but being a creature of habit I got in the car and drove over. I listened to Bill Douglas on the way. It was a change. This summer for one reason or another I’ve listened to a lot of Jimi Hendrix. I can’t seem to get enough of Voodoo Child and some of his other cuts from the Woodstock Concert.

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Franklinville from overhead

This is a picture of Franklinville, New York looking west taken this afternoon as I cruised overhead in a Cessna Skyhawk. It was a great day to fly. I hadn’t been up in nearly three weeks. I got in a couple of good landings and enjoyed the gift of powered flight once again.

Skyhawk N65003 on final at Olean

N65003 on final I drove up to Olean Airport just before dinner tonight. I hadn’t been up to the airport in a couple of weeks. I love to drive up eve when I’m not flying. Airports are always fascinating places to visit. There was some activity today. There was a corporate jet on the ramp, … Read more

Navman

In the last six years I’ve purchased a half dozen GPS units. Up until recently they all had been hand held units. My first two units were Magellan 310 and Magellan 315 units which I purchased for handheld navigation when I’m flying. Last year I purchased a Magellan Explorist.

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Genesee River Valley

I went flying again tonight. It was a beautiful night. I got the Skyhawk out of the hangar, preflighted and and taxied to the end of Runway 4 at Olean Airport. There was a slight quartering headwind but it was light. After I taxied onto the runway I pushed the throttle all the way in and kept  ‘003 centered on the runway with some right rudder pressure.

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Skyhawk flight

I went flying tonight. Yes, I was out again in my favorite Cessna Skyhawk, Getting accustomed to flying and landing after nearly two years of a forced hiatus has been challenging. This is the third time as pilot in command. It was a beautiful night to fly. I performed all my pre-flight checks and taxied toward the end of Runway 22 at Olean Airport.

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Surprise flight

This morning I was at Olean Airport delivering a computer system I had rebuilt and installed Ubuntu 7.04 on. I decided to wait until the gentleman who donated the computer arrived from his home.

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