I feel the pull of the Cessna 182’s changing lift vector as I turn to orbit just south and east of KPHL at 500 feet. We’re observing the changes along the New Jersey banks of the Delaware River—a very different “Jersey Shore”—and marking them with a string of photos across the water from the Philadelphia International Airport. At the same time, Philly Tower asks us to stay east of the final approach to Runway 35 for traffic, a landing Embraer 145, and we’re all watching for power lines, cell towers and birds. We brief the emergency bird-avoidance maneuver—if the bird appears motionless and grows larger, pitch up hard because birds tend to dive—and we almost use it.
Flying With LightHawk
Key Takeaways:
- LightHawk is a charitable aviation organization that utilizes volunteer pilots and aircraft to provide aerial perspectives for environmental conservation and advocacy.
- Founded in 1979, LightHawk collaborates with over 140 partner groups, using flights to illuminate conservation issues and inform decision-making.
- The organization maintains a rigorous safety culture, employing highly experienced volunteer pilots for challenging low-level missions across various regions, including Central America.
- LightHawk emphasizes the unique human experience of seeing the Earth from the air, aiming to change perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of environmental challenges.
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