A Flying Sojourn at Low Levels

Connecting with the past via a Piper Arrow.

Les Abend

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 01:48 PM ET

Verified

[Photo illustration: Amy Jo Sledge, Images: iStock, Les Abend]

Key Takeaways:

The author and his wife completed a month-long, multi-state journey in their Piper Arrow, traveling from Florida to the eastern U.S. for a wedding, friend visits, and historical exploration.
As a former airline pilot, the author personally managed all flight logistics and piloting, with his wife providing crucial support as a copilot and navigator.
Their extensive general aviation trip presented challenges including navigating airport staging areas, managing IFR clearances, and adapting to varied weather and FBO services.
Despite the hurdles, the journey successfully facilitated numerous reunions and created lasting memories, highlighting the unique freedom and personal engagement of private air travel.

See a mistake? Contact us.

When we received the invitation for the October wedding of our friends’ daughter in Charlottesville, Virginia, the decision to fly our Piper Arrow to the event from Florida was easy. Asking my wife also to ponder a month-long sojourn—connecting with old friends and historic sites before and after the wedding—required further consideration. Despite the Beverly-Hillbillies-with-wings aspect in terms of the bags we’d need, the journey would take us through leaf-peeping season, something we missed after moving out of the northeast.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

If you're not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the issue as soon as it is released in either Print or Digital formats.