With school being so busy, I still hadn’t gone flying with my mom… until now! She had flown in the plane with me before, but when I was with an instructor. So this was truly the first time we had ever really flown together.

It’s actually really fun flying with mom because she isn’t a pilot. It’s one of the few times as a teenager that my mom hasn’t had any advice for me! She told me afterwards that it was a completely strange feeling for her, putting her life into my hands. Sure, in a car I’m in control too, but she can always grab the wheel. It would probably be a little bit difficult to learn how to fly in an instant!

So since I received my PPL, I hadn’t yet flown with a parent solo. I was in all honesty pretty nervous, having the life of someone you love in your hands is a tremendous responsibility.

Here is a short clip of our takeoff that my mom recorded on her iPhone:

 

As is typical with summer weather, it was pretty bumpy. The plan was to fly around for a little over an hour, around Richmond, Jamestown, to the James River, and back. After flying over our house and school, I decided to cut the flight short and head back. It was beginning to be uncomfortably bumpy… No use in wasting time and money on an unpleasant experience! It was still a fun flight though, here are some pictures:

Our route of flight is shown below via CloudAhoy (I recorded it on my iPad, using my external XGPS160):

After such a bumpy flight, I was a little concerned that it would be a windy, rough landing. On final approach it was gusty, but nothing too bad. And then… We greased the landing, making an awesome ending to a turbulent flight! My mom said “I’ve never felt such a smooth landing, not even on commercial planes.” … Thanks, Mom!

Hopefully we will go flying again soon, just for a little longer next time!

Thanks for reading,
-Swayne Martin

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10 Responses

  3. Karlene Petitt

    That’s just wonderful!!! And so exciting. I like the part for the first time Mom didn’t have advice. I felt the same way when I took my Mom flying. But tell your Mom she really looks like she could be your sister. So glad you had a wonderful day!

    Reply
  4. Will Jenkins

    Awesome pictures! I love the Google earth tracking you do. One of my favorite flights I’ve done was taking my dad up after earning my private. I let him fly a bit and it was fun. You are lucky you get to fly Cessnas! Out here it’s all Diamond aircraft and they are a lot smaller.

    Will Jenkins | http://www.aircocharters.com/charters.php

    Reply
  5. Briggs Christie

    The first thing that went through my head when I saw the title.

    “Do you call that a landing? Young, man you’re grounded. Go to your room and think about what you’ve done.”

    😉

    Reply

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