It’s been a busy few months! I’ve done things I could only dream of as a kid. I can say I’ve flown a plane solo, something which only a tiny percentage of the world has done. Final exams are a week from today, and summer is just around the corner. Plus, yesterday, I finally got my driver’s license!

Since February 18th, I’ve been able to fly solo, yet not drive solo… seems backwards somehow! I’ve been flying above the roads I wasn’t allowed on, until now. Granted, I think the roads are a whole lot more intimidating than the skies. It’s so much less restricted and crowded up there, which makes for a much more enjoyable time.

While driving might not be as “exciting” as flying, I’m definitely excited to finally have my license. I look forward to being able to drive myself where I need to be, without the need to get rides from family or friends.

It’s been 3 weeks since I last flew; hopefully, weather permitting, I’ll be able to go for a flight this weekend. The plan is to fly West towards the mountains, to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) to expose me to ATC for the first time, in a Class-D environment. It’ll be my first flight into a commercial airport! If I get to fly, a post will be up Saturday or Sunday.

Check back soon for more posts!
Thanks for reading!,

Swayne Martin
Twitter: @MartinsAviation

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6 Responses

  1. Karlene Petitt

    Congratulations Swayne! Oh… doesn’t seem backwards to me. But… flying will make you a better driver, and driving can make you a better pilot. Did you know that the skills of a scan on your instruments in the plane, can serve you in the car. And practicing in the car, will keep you proficient with driving.

    Then key… never focus on one thing. Attention outside, scan in quick… see your speed and back out. Scan in to peak at oil pressure, back out. San in to see radio station number… back out. You got it. Just training your eyes to see data, interpret, but don’t stay there too long. You always want attention out your window.

    With instrument flying your Attitude indicator will be your primary focus. They your eyes capture data from VSI and back. Speed and back. Etc. Same concept. And the brain can be trained to see, analyze, and interpret and data with a flash.

    This will help with your driving. And you can practice in a car.

    Be safe!!!

    Reply
    • Swayne Martin

      Thanks so much Karlene! Those are some really great suggestions, I’ll try them out the next time I drive… I had began to adapt my driving habits to what I do when flying, so these suggestions are perfect!

      Thanks again for the comment, appreciate it,
      -Swayne

      Reply
  3. capnaux

    That’s such a cool story you’ll get to tell for the rest of your life, Swayne. How many can say they’ve soloed before they drove!

    Karlene beat me to it (u go, gal!), but I want to reiterate, that flying and driving are not mutually exclusive–training in the car and the cockpit will compliment each other and make you safer in both!

    Congratulations!

    Eric

    Reply
    • Swayne Martin

      Thanks so much! It’s kinda fun to imagine I’m flying when I’m driving… treating it the same way

      Thanks again for the comment,
      -Swayne

      Reply

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