My one day flying in the sky - as a pilot...
On this page you'll find a true story, about
the author of Amateur Invest's time as a pilot.
As many others have, I have had a wish since I was a young
boy, and that was to be a pilot. - To fly, high in the sky, has
always fascinated me, and for some years I read the large blue
book, "Janes all the worlds aircrafts", that comes out
each year with both civil and military aircrafts, their
performance is listed along with information about first flights,
etc. So I was very happy, when my wife gave me a gift certificate
for a "Pilot training lesson" for my birthday in
December of 2000.
I planned for the big event to occur during our vacation this
summer (2001), so that it hopefully could take place on a day
with nice weather. So I rang the company (Copenhagen Air Taxi),
and we agreed on August 1st.
The hole family got loaded into our car, and we drove to
Roskilde Airport. The weather was fine for flying with some
sunshine and some clouds, but it was rather windy.
The instructor and I quickly went to the aircraft. And first
took an inspection round around the plane. Also we checked the
petrol tanks located on each wing.
We then climbed aboard, and he told me briefly about the
instrument, the steer and the pedals.
The pedals are used on the ground to turn the aircraft to the
left or right, and on top of the pedals there were brakes. The
Steer is used, when the craft is in the air, if you pull it
towards yourself, the plane will climb and if you push it from
yourself, the plane will dive. Of the instruments on the panel,
the most import were the altitude meter, the compas and the
speedometer.
I asked if he had planned where we should go. I did that with
the hidden agenda, that I (if possible) would like to fly over my
parents sommerhouse located some distance from Roskilde. He
agreed, but said that would mean more flying straigth.
He then switched the engine on and ran through some of a
checklist.
He asked for permission (from the tower) to go to a testing
area. The plane was OY-CDL or "Delta-Lima" for short
(only the D and L is used as identification to the tower).
We switched off the brake, and rolled slowly onto an asphalt
road with a yellow line in the middle.
I had to keep the plane's nose on the line. I tell you - it
isn't easy only steering with your feet. So seen from the air, it
must have looked as drunk driving - going a little to the left
and a little to the right.
I crossed the main runway, and took the plane to a testing
area, where the plane was turned up against the wind. The brakes
were activated and the rest of the checklist was walked through,
with for example the engine being tested at 3000 rpm's.
He then asked for permission to go to the runway.
On the runway, the brakes were applied again, the engine
throttle (located to the right of me) was pushed to full
throttle. Permisson to take of was given, brakes off, and down
the runway we were going. At appx. 60 knots he said I should pull
the steer - I did, and up we went. I was the one who took the
plane into the air.
Wauuuuuv - I'm flying... Some bumps in the air from the wind,
some corrections necessary - and below us was the city of
Roskilde. I must admit, that I got a small knot in my stomach -
when I briefly considered, that I was high in the air in only a
small tin can...
He asked for permission to leave Roskilde airspace at 1400
feet, and we were on our way.
As long as we kept to the left side of the "fjord",
and did not fly over Risoe (that has a small nuclear reactor),
kept below 2000 feet, we were on our own - no control towers,
neither Roskilde, Vaerloese nor Kastrup, cared about us.
You can feel the difference in turbulence when flying over
land and passing over water.
It is rather difficult to keep the plane flying straight. The
nose should be pointed slightly below the horizon - otherwise you
are either going up or down (without you especially noticing it).
I had to keep my eye on the altitude meter, as well as on the
nose/horizon, as well as trying to enjoy the view and the
incredible feelings rolling through my body.
The view from this hight was incredible - and the visibility
was very high this day - so we could see most of the northen part
of sealand, and way out in the horizon to the left, we could see
some of the mountains in Sweeden.
We crossed over the town of Frederikssund, so that I had the
coast line on my left side. We where trying to locate the
sommerhouse from the air.
After a short while I recognised the swimmingpool and then the
sommerhouse. We took one turn - he took over the controls, and I
tried to take some pictures. One more turn around, and I saw my
mothers husbond next to the sommerhouse - he was filming us vith
his VCR (we had talked about it being possible that I would fly
by). The instructor tipped the wings of the plane up and down a
couple of times. And we started heading back.
Some more pictures in the air. The trip back felt much faster
than the way out. He asked permission to enter Roskilde airspace,
and was toold to look out for another (faster) plane, that was 1
minute behind us.
I turned some times to avoid flying over some small towns, and
aligned the plane with the runway. He asked for permission to
land. There was another plane in the process of landing, which we
also could see from above.
I turned the plane towards the runway and descented rapidly.
At one point it felt as though the plane was flying vertically,
with the ground comming straight at us.
We had agreed that he should put the wheels on the ground
(because of the strong winds), but I was the one who should take
it all the waydown until then. I corrected and corrected to get
the plane steadyon course.
A few meters above the ground he took over and we landed
smoothly!
I then taxied the plane back to it's original position, the
same way that I had driven it before takeoff - a little to the
left and a little to the right. - It is almost easier to fly the
plane in the air, than it is to drive it on the ground.
This trip is (for the Kr. 900, appx. USD 110) the most fun and
exciting experience I have ever had.
After the engine was stopped, we talked some more about the
trip and being a pilot. He thought that it had gone so well, that
he almost said I could put the wheels on the gound also. - But
you don't change your mind so late in the approach - and I was
glad that he didn't suggest it...
He also talked a little bit about how he had become a pilot,
and what it cost.
So if anyone has Kr. 95.000 (appx. USD 15.000) to donate,
please write to me - I'll use them to take a Private Pilot
Licence, otherwise I'll have to wait until I win in Lotto...
My son (3 yrs. old at the time) said afterwards that he is
going to be a "melot" (some combination of a pilot and
a melon, I guess) when he grows up - so he and his father can fly
together.
My daughter (6 yrs. old at the time) asked if this was the
best thing I have ever tried?
For me it is difficult to compare experiences. There are some
experiences that goes to your head, some to your heart and some
both. Getting married and seing my children born are in the
"both" category. Flying is in the "head" (and
some stomach) category. I couldn't explain that at the moment,
but mumbled something like it was the 4th. happiest experience in
my life.
If you have had thoughts about trying to fly yourself - I can
only say - DO IT!
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