- LIVE - From Da HO! -

That's right, this post is coming to you, straight from Spudville (that's Idaho for those who are scratching their heads - please refer to previous post). Flew in yesterday and it's been pretty non-stop since.

So today, being my first full day, I come into work thinking I'll spend the day familiarizing myself with the plane and not expecting much...boy was I wrong! I flew (literally, but not quite literally) right into things and the phrase "drinking from a fire hose" was used more than once.

Lot's of positives though. First of all, I'm finally away from the depressing "uni-cloud" that smothers Ohio these dreary winter days. The weather here is incredible. Bright blue skies, 60 degree weather, but plenty of snow in the mountains. Oh yeah, and of course the mountains! Secondly, let me just say, the Bonanza (again, for you non-aviation people reading, that's an airplane) kicks butt! It's by far that biggest, most powerful, more-or-less darned coolest thing I've been at the controls at. And here's the kicker - from the get go, I was the one doing everything. Being as its formatted for aerial photography, it's only got one front seat and one set of controls. Needless to say, I was slightly intimidated.

I had an instructor in the back talking me through stuff. He was really amazing and made me feel right at home. If you think about though, that guy was either nuts or very trusting because he had no control over what happened.

Anyway, all went well. I'm definitely a lot more proficient than I was at 8 am this morning. And was able to log 4 hours flight time (which I didn't have to pay for!).

All-in-all, one incredible day. Supposed to do the same thing tomorrow. Insurance requires 5 hours before I can fly on my own, so that's tomorrow's goal. Finish getting that 5 hours, and then lots more practice.

Will up-date more when time allows.

- Just call me Chucky Lindbergh