A Pefectly Splendid Flight

Friends of ours are going through tough times. With two little kids, and a
third on the way, my friend recently lost his job, and is having a difficult
time finding equivalent work.

He loves to fly, and his wife's father was an active pilot, so we thought
we'd cheer both of them up with a brunch flight to Janesville (KJVL),WI
today. Our kids are finally old enough to stay home alone, and our friends
managed to find a sitter for their little ones, so the plans were made...

Conditions weren't pretty today -- 2000 to 2500 overcast, with light
winds -- but comfortably doable in the flat Midwest. (And it can be a LOT
worse here in November!) So, after surviving our last crazy home football
weekend at the inn (Iowa 52 - Minnesota 28 -- Go Hawks!), we loaded up and
arced into a leaden sky.

Mary took the outbound leg, and wanted me in the right seat. This left our
friends in the back to snuggle and enjoy the ride, and -- although
visibility was advertised as 10 miles -- there really wasn't much to see.
All the fall colors are gone now, and the harvest is complete, so this is
the absolute ugliest time of year to fly in the Midwest. No snow yet,
leaving nothing but mud and barren trees for hundreds of miles...

Nevertheless, they didn't seem to notice, and were just delighted to get
airborne. Thankfully the air was fairly smooth under a stratiform cloud
deck (pregnant women + flying gives me the "barf-bag-willies"), and our
conversation flowed easily.

Our arrival at JVL was uneventful, and there was a VERY cool Lakes Amphibian
starting up as we taxied in -- the first one I've ever seen outside of
Florida or Oshkosh. (We always seem to see one or two unique aircraft at
Janesville!) Brunch at the CAVU Cafe was good, as always, and the
conversation continued to flow nicely, with everyone very laid back and
comfortable...

On the flight back I let my friend fly. He's a lapsed glider pilot, and
will someday be a very active GA pilot when his financial ship rights
itself. With the girls happily yacking away in the back seat (and the
intercom set to "Crew Isolate", at their request), we had fun circling
barges on the Mississippi, and over other points of interest. He's a good
stick, and his steady hand flew us all the way into the pattern at Iowa
City, where I was lucky enough to grease a squeaker. (Can't have any
clunkers with a preggo passenger! :-)

All in all, a most splendid way to spend a fall afternoon. Flying is always
fun, but as I get older it's most gratifying when we are allowed to share it
with friends who feel comfortable enough with our skills and equipment to
fly with us to brunch in another state...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"