It's been two years! TWO?!

Two years ago today I took my first real step at becoming a pilot. The private pilot check ride. It's hard to believe all the amazing people I've met since then. All of the amazing places I've gone, the things I have seen since that day. Here are just a few of the great memories I have made so far!

Who would honestly ever let this man fly an airplane?

Clouds are neat.

Fog is also neat.

I am in the sky! Like a bird!

Actually getting paid to fly, dreams do come true.

I've gotten to go to some amazing places.

And it's always better with friends.

I'll See You at the Bar! Bar Ten Lodge that is...

Flying for this company I get to go to some amazing airstrips, one in particular is Whitmore International Airport! It's more like a strip of asphalt at the bottom of a canyon, not the Grand Canyon, but pretty close to it. This airstrip supports river rafters making their way down Colorado River, some people put into the river here while others end their trip here. Well let's get down to what we all really want to see, the pictures! Note, not all these pictures were taken at Bar Ten.

Welcome to Bar Ten!

Unfortunately no jet bridge. 

Canyonview 86 cleared for takeoff.

Fuel truck is old and reliable.

North Concourse Gate A, now boarding for Marble Canyon.

Runway 16

The lava flow off the end of the runway.

If you look closely, theres a runway down there... I swear.

On my way to Bar Ten over the Kaibab.

Helicopters abound at Bar Ten, here they have no natural predators.

Artsy picture at Marble Canyon.

Bar Ten is at the bottom of that canyon!

A moonrise in Page, AZ.

Wildlife at Bar Ten.

A helicopter overlooking the runway.

And now, a landing at Bar Ten.

If you ever get a chance to take a trip to Bar Ten, it will be well worth your while!

First Class or No Class!

The Planes of Fame Museum at the Valle Airport in Valle, Arizona is home to over forty different aircraft. According to the signs, over ninety percent of the aircraft are still flyable! I didn’t take any of them for a spin, but I was able to get up close and personal with many of them. Museums preserve the past for the future generations, but there is something about an aviation museum that is truly breathtaking. First of all, the technologies for aircraft instruments have essentially not changed. How we measure airspeed and altitude. Our ability to navigate in the skies has dramatically changed since the early days of aviation. The introduction of satellites and GPS has made navigation easier and more accurate than ever before. In the early days of aviation they still used the same methods as sailors! Getting positions from the stars to guide them. The knowledge and determination of the early aviators was astounding. Walking around that museum my respect grew and grew for those early aviators. But I will say this, aviation was certainly a classy affair back then...

A 1952 Martin 404 

I had driven by this beast a number of times on my way to and from Flagstaff, I never knew you could go all up in it!

With a luxurious main cabin, just look at those couch patters.

Sitting in the back and want to know your altitude, vertical speed and airspeed? They've got you covered!

For important business meetings.

First class all the way.

Still pretty basic up front though.

Just look at them colorful panels and switches.