Five a.m. and my eyes are open. I tap the screen of my phone, strategically poised on my nightstand and ready to wake me in 15 minutes.
I don’t need its alarm. I know today is the day I have planned to actually go somewhere in my airplane.
Reconnecting with Cotton-Candy Sunrises
After a long hiatus, a cross-country trip reawakens a pilot's skills, flight planning techniques, and her love of flight.
Key Takeaways:
- The pilot undertakes extensive and meticulous preparations for a 2,500-mile cross-country flight, including thorough aircraft checks, packing emergency supplies, utilizing multiple backup flight planning devices, and continuous weather monitoring.
- After a pandemic-induced hiatus, the flight represents a much-anticipated return to long-distance cross-country flying, which the pilot finds emotionally fulfilling and more stimulating than short hops or simulations.
- Drawing on over 40 years of experience, the pilot demonstrates a cautious and prepared mindset, anticipating potential in-flight challenges like avionics failures and unpredictable weather systems, while appreciating the unique wonder of the journey.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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