On Thanksgiving Day I got to take my Mom up for a flight finally (with my Dad as well). This was the first time I had both my parents with me, and the first where I had TWO passengers with me as the pilot-in-command (PIC). It was an absolutely gorgeous day for it too! Luckily I was able to get a little practice in the day before (see my previous post), and it definitely helped – all my landings went perfectly smooth. We started the day with my Mom in the front passenger seat and we flew up to Burlington (BUU). 
On the way I let her take the controls a little. She was a bite scared but was amazed to see how the plane reacted when she would push or pull the yoke. It was really fun to see my Mom making the plane dive a little and climb too. It brought me back to my Discovery Flight, and I remembered how timid I probably was with the controls too.
We landed at Burlington and I taxied to the ramp. There, my Mom and Dad switched seats and my Dad got to ride shotgun (his first time in the front seat). On the way back to Westosha I let him play with the controls a bit as well. He had a blast (and I had a blast listening to my Mom playfully scream as he made the plane go up, down, and turn). All-in-all, it was just a fun day. We didn’t stay too long in the sky because we had to get back to the house for Thanksgiving Dinner!
This flight I logged 0.9 hours of PIC time. I’m so thankful to have the two greatest parents on earth, and so thankful to share the joy of aviation with them now! Click here or the photo of us three from the day to see more pictures.
Continuing our new date night tradition, my wife and I had our second “flying date night” this past Wednesday. I wanted to go a bit further and up into Wisconsin this time (rather than a quick jaunt down to Schaumburg). I decided we’d fly to Watertown, WI (KRYV), about 45 nautical miles northwest of Westosha. My CFI mentioned there was a good restaurant walking distance from the airport called “Steakfire” where you can even grill your own steak (or they’ll cook it for you for one dollar more). Since my wife and I hadn’t had steak in quite some time, this was the perfect place to fly.
The wind was a little brisk that evening, but helped us to our destination. Again, since we’d flying back at night, I took our club’s best plane (the 172SP with moving map GPS). We make quick work of the 45 miles. Upon making my radio calls into Watertown before landing, my wife was amused with the smooth-talking woman over the radio at the FBO asking “if the FBO could provide any services this evening.” We taxied and parked and headed over for a great dinner.
This was my second time parking and leaving my plane at an FBO, and the second time where an FBO employee came out to put the parking chalks under my tires. During dinner we discussed whether it’s standard to tip those guys…and I decided I’d tip the guy when we departed. When I attempted to give the guy a five-spot, he vehemently said “oh no, that’s not necessary” but did eventually take the tip. So, I still wonder what the standard is at FBO’s when all you are doing is parking? Anyone out there have any advice?
Anyway, the flight back went smoothly, although a bit longer because of the wind. Another great date night! I logged 1.3 hours of PIC flight.
