FLIGHT #30: November 19th, 2005 : Ronnie Green : Skyhawk N810SA
Clouds gave way to patches of clear, blue sky to herald the first flight for Ronnie Green. Ronnie is a good friend of my cousin Joey Hemming who accompanied us on this flight. Joey's my official "first flight recruiter" and the flight today with Ronnie was just amazing. We departed VFR and climbed to 3,000 feet to stay below a cloud deck about 1,500 feet above us. Our first waypoint was a flight over Ronnie's house about 24 nautical miles north of the airport. We did several circles around Ronnie's house where he saw his wife out on the deck looking back at us! We then headed to one of my favorite destinations - Fredericksburg, TX. Home of the Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner. Ronnie and I enjoyed "First Officer" club sandwiches while Joey went with his old favorite, the "Bomber Burger." The flight home from Fredericksburg included a brief detour over Canyon Lake. It was a peaceful flight back. Calm skies, beautiful colors as dusk approached and good company at 3,500 feet. It was a pleasure meeting you Ronnie! I am so happy you enjoyed the flight. It was a true honor. Take care!
FLIGHT #29: September 19th, 2005 : Angela Avila : Skyhawk N810SA
A beautiful sky with just a few clouds and smooth air was our playground for a first flight with Angela Avila. Angela and my wife Shannon used to work together and have been friends ever since. Shannon accompanied Angela on her first flight and took photos to document the flight from the back seat. We took off from San Antonio airport and overflew downtown San Antonio before making a quick landing at Stinson Municipal Airport. Discovering that the cafe there was closed, we took off and did some flying south of the city - an airspace known as the "south practice area." Angela took the controls and did some gentle turns and climbs. I was impressed! We then headed back into town but not before making orbiting flights around Sea World and Fiesta Texas. Angela was an exceptional passenger who asked a lot of great questions about flying and the aircraft itself. It was a real pleasure taking her up on her first, single-engine small airplane flight. Thanks Angela!
FLIGHT #28: June 17th, 2005 : Michael Cross : Skyhawk N810SA
Finally! My first "rogue" of 2005 is Michael Cross. Mike is a co-worker of mine and when I learned he was an aviation nut like myself a first flight in a Cessna Skyhawk was a logical move to take his love of aviation to a new level. We braved a 1pm flight on a very hot, summer afternoon with temperatures in the mid 90's. We took a quick flight over downtown San Antonio then did some basic flight maneuvers in the south practice area south of the city. On our way back, we did an orbit of our workplace which happens to be one of the largest buildings in the United States. Despite the heat this was a great flight and Mike was an awesome passenger. His enthusiasm about flying was contagious and learning to fly may be a future reality for him. It was an honor Mike!!
FLIGHT #27: December 17th, 2004 : Marco Villarreal : Skyhawk N810SA
After several reschedules due to inclement weather, the evening of December 17th marked the first flight for coworker Marco Villarreal. Marco had previously flown in commercial jet aircraft but never in a small, general aviation airplane. Joel Ziegler joined us for a "night OVER old San Antonio" flight and the scenery that filled our vision did not disappoint. Marco rode in the front seat while we circled downtown San Antonio at 2,500 feet. He and Joel pointed out a number of significant landmarks during the flight and we all enjoyed silky smooth air that never offered even the slightest bump. We then landed at Stinson and Marco & Joel switched places. On the flight back we received the tower arrival and zoomed over San Antonio International Airport midfield before entering the left downwind for Runway 12 Left. Congrats on your First Flight Marco, it was a pleasure introducing you to general aviation!!
FLIGHT #26: October 16th, 2004 : Mike, Marco & Ariel Pelegreen : Skyhawk N172RC
Joining me for a flight on a clear blue, cloudless day was Mike Pelegreen and his children Marco and Ariel. Mike works with me at USAA and wanted to give his son a unique 6th birthday present by taking him up in the air. His daughter Ariel decided it would be too much fun for her to stay home so she also joined us. We departed San Antonio Intl Airport and orbited downtown San Antonio, Sea World and Fiesta Texas. The visibility was incredible and the flight was really smooth. Mike brought along his new Nikon N75 camera and snapped off photo after photo. Marco and Ariel were earning their wings. They became my first Young Eagles! The Young Eagles program is sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association and helps to inspire children by letting them experience the fun, wonder and safety of general aviation flight. After landing, I was proud to present the Pelegreen family with their flight certificates. Thank you Mike, Marco and Ariel - you were great to fly with and it was my honor to take you up into the sky with me!!
FLIGHT #25: September 29th, 2004 : Shane Arnwine : Skyhawk N810SA
Shane Arnwine is a good friend of mine and a coworker with at USAA. I first met Shane shortly after he made arrangements for me to take photos of USAA's Springfest celebration...from the AIR...in a B-25 bomber. Needless to say, I've been itching to repay him the only way I know how - an adventure in the air. Shane is also a student pilot so I'm having a great time answering his questions and learning a lot of new things myself in the process. We departed San Antonio Intl Airport and headed to the south practice area where I let Shane do some flying. He did a great job on his turns and maintained altitude very well. After doing that for a bit, it was off to Stinson for some pattern work. After a couple of landings and a chance to spread our legs at Stinson, we hopped back into the airplane and made a quick beeline home to San Antonio Intl. There was a bit of haze out there but the air was quite smooth. I look forward to future flights with Shane and wish him the very best in his pursuit of the Private Pilot certificate! I know he is going to make a great pilot!!
FLIGHT #24: August 27, 2004 : Jim Odom : Skyhawk N614SP
Jim Odom last flew in a small airplane when he was in high school. When he expressed an interest in flying with me, I was thrilled to be able to take him up and let him experience flight once again. We departed in the morning for Fredericksburg, Texas and climbed to 6,000 feet. Our destination - the popular Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner. At one point, executing the instrument approach, I looked down and noticed that we were moving across the ground sideways to our direction of flight. All of this courtesy a nearly 35 knot wind at 3,000 feet. After a challenging crosswind landing (winds at 15 knots gusting to 21) we celebrated by enjoying a great omelet at the Airport Diner. On the way back to San Antonio, Jim tried his hand at some flying and impressed me with his ability to turn to headings and hold altitude. This was an awesome flight. Shannon took some amazing photos and video making it a memorable adventure!
FLIGHT #23: June 19, 2004 : Joel Ziegler : Skyhawk N614SP
Joel Ziegler is a friend and coworker of mine. Joel had flown on a couple of occasions in small airplanes during vacations but this would be his first flight in a small, single-engine Cessna. We launched at about 07:30PM and enjoyed an incredibly smooth flight. Visibility was 8-10 miles in...DUST...apparently we still had what the local weather folks were calling "dust from Africa" in the air. When we made turns towards the sun, the visibility was much reduced but we had watchful electronic eyes in the form of ATC helping us to sort out other traffic. We flew over downtown, then to Seaworld and back to San Antonio just as dusk arrived. Did I already mention how smooth the air was? A big thanks to Joel for being such a great passenger...he rocked, taking lots of photos and some video with his digital camcorder. He was also able to spot a Beechcraft King Air that we were assigned to follow to the airport. Maybe I'll start calling him "Eagle Eyed" Ziegler or something... :-)
FLIGHT #22: May 16, 2004 : Rick Sisk : Skyhawk N614SP
Mike...I mean, Rick Sisk is a another intrepid friend of copilot cousin Joey Hemming . This was Rick's first flight in a small airplane although Rick's service in the military included time on a carrier watching airplanes come in for landing - an experience that Joey and I were quite impressed with! This was my first IFR flight after earning my Instrument Rating. We departed San Antonio International Airport for Hondo Municipal. Enroute, we popped in and out of large cumulous clouds at our cruise altitude of 4,000 feet. A $100 hamburger at the famed Flightline Cafe followed after a GPS Approach to Hondo. This was a great, smooth flight and Rick's enthusiasm was my highest compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed the flight Rick, it was a pleasure!
FLIGHT #21: January 10, 2004 : Joe Garza : Skyhawk N614SP
Joe Garza is a friend of cousin "frequent flyer" Joey. This was Joe's second flight in an airplane and his first non-commercial experience. Joe's enjoyment of the flight was absolutely contagious - enroute to Medina Lake he commented, "This is great! If I had a tail, it'd be wagging!". This had Joey and I grinning from ear to ear. We flew over Medina Lake in crystal clear, smooth skies and enjoyed a $100 hamburger at Fredericksburg's Airport Diner (at the Gillespie County Airport). It was an honor Joe!!
FLIGHT #20: November 29, 2003 : Brittany & Bryan Vance : Skyhawk N614SP
I was thrilled to learn that I would have the opportunity to take Brittany and Bryan Vance on their first airplane ride. Neither of them have flown - either privately or commercially. Brittany is a member of the Air Force ROTC at her High School. The two are children of a close friend and coworker, Judith Vance. Bryan and Brittany did great! We encountered a few bumps here and there but made a complete circuit of Canyon Lake where we saw sailboats on the open water. I'm thrilled they enjoyed the flight and I appreciate their help in doing the preflight! Their father got to hear our radio calls using his nifty, handheld radio scanner. Very cool!
FLIGHT #19: July 31, 2003 : Chris Ferguson : Skyhawk N996RA
Chris Ferguson is a friend and coworker of mine. I was thrilled when I got an instant message from Chris indicating his interest in flying with me. We decided to depart over downtown San Antonio with an orbit of Canyon Lake. The ride was smooth with a little haze but generally good visibility. Chris did a spectacular job and I was thrilled when I was able to end the flight with a landing that left us both guessing whether we had actually returned to earth or were floating on a cushion of air an inch tall!! Thanks Chris!!
FLIGHT #18: June 7, 2003 : Robert Ezzell : Skyhawk N614SP
Bob Ezzell is a close friend of our family. His wife and my mother have been friends for several years. Bob's always had an interest in learning to fly and the moment I discovered that, I knew I just had to take him on a flight! Bob and I found his residence in Bulverde, Texas and did some circling flight over it from a safe altitude. We then headed to Canyon Lake and saw that the boaters, jet skiers and sun worshippers were out in full force! On the way back to International, I got to maintain "top speed" for traffic spacing between a Southwest 737 and an American 737 airliner!!!
FLIGHT #17: May 31, 2003 : Mike Nobles : Skyhawk N614SP
Mike Nobles, a friend of copilot Joey, has been itching to fly for quite some time. Now that I'm flying out of San Antonio International, at a flight school with a Skyhawk SP, we were all set for some fun in the sun. We departed International airport and flew low and slow over Canyon Lake. Mike was a great passenger and spotted traffic with his eagle eyes!
FLIGHT #16: January 19, 2003 : Lori Smith : Skyhawk N701SP
Joey's significant other, Lori Smith, joined us for a hop over downtown San Antonio. Lori was a trooper, putting aside her fear of flying to join us on a day that turned out to have a bit more turbulence than we had expected. Visibility was awesome with spectacular views of the Towers of the Americas. Bravo Lori, bravo!!
FLIGHT #15: December 27, 2002 : David LaRocque : Skyhawk N996RA
Fellow photographer and brother-in-law David LaRocque joined me for a FIRST FLIGHT to Goliad, Texas. Incredible visibility allowed us to appreciate Goliad Historical Park. In addition, we spotted traffic more than ten miles away (per the controller we were talking to). How's THAT for "clear skies!"
FLIGHT #14: December 1, 2002 : Jesse Ferguson : Skyhawk N996RA
My uncle Jesse Ferguson contributed to my own love of aviation. He used to visit me as a child and bring his remote controlled airplanes (back then you had the airplane attached to a small rope and you walked around and around with the little engine blaring away). He also impressed me with his drawings of airships and airplanes. It was a pleasure to take him flying - just one step in returning the favor from years of inspiring aviation enthusiasm in myself!
FLIGHT #13: November 30, 2002 : James & Jeffrey Ferguson : Skyhawk N996RA
Cousins James and Jeffrey Ferguson are identical twins. They are also no stranger to aviation. They were flying in small airplanes as children out of Stinson airport, back in the days of "pennies per pound"! We headed to the south practice area where the twins asked for some maneuvers. We did some steep turns, pulled some G's and had a blast!
FLIGHT #12: October 12, 2002 : Jason E. Moore : Skyhawk N24445
A visit from my brother Jason, who lives in Coppell, Texas, was an easy excuse to reserve an airplane for a FIRST FLIGHT. Jason is the best brother a guy could have and it was great to head south and overfly our grandmother's residence in Moore, Texas. Jason also did some flying and was able to maintain straight and level flying quite good! And of course, being the brave one in the family, we had to do some flight maneuvers in order to top off the experience. What a fun flight!!
FLIGHT #11: September 28th, 2002 : Jerry F. Moore : Skyhawk N24445
Taking my mother flying was something I was eager to do from the beginning. Fortunately Mother Nature was nice to bless us with a silky smooth flight to the local practice area. UNFORTUNATELY, due to a huge Mooney convention at Stinson, we had to walk hundreds of feet to the plane and I forgot my camera (which you don't discover, of course, until you've fired up the engine and received clearance to taxi!!). It was a highlight of all my time flying to take Mom for her first flight. Another flight is in the works and this time we'll photograph it like crazy!!
FLIGHT #10: August 4, 2002 : Joshua Smith : Skyhawk N701SP
Copilot Joey Hemming accompanied me as we took Josh Smith on his first flight. I've known Josh since he was a small boy and I'm amazed at the young man he's become (not to mention how much taller he is than Joey and I!!). We had a great time flying over Canyon Lake, landing at New Braunfels Airport to grab a soda and then finding our way back to Stinson via pilotage (the GPS had been temporarily removed from the airplane). Brutally hot, but a fun flight nonetheless!!
FLIGHT #9: August 3, 2002 : Victor & Jennifer Icenogle : Skyhawk N701SP
Victor has been a coworker of mine for more than seven years. Like Clay, he was eager to get on the "flight list" after I earned my wings. Victor's daughter Jennifer joined us for a fun flight to Choke Canyon. It was a fun-filled flight, soon to be repeated when Victor's son joins us for a future flight!
FLIGHT #8: August 2, 2002 : Clay Burgess : Skyhawk N996RA
Clay Burgess is a coworker and close friend of mine. Clay expressed an interest in flying with me shortly after I earned my ticket. I couldn't refuse such a vote of confidence in my abilities! Clay and I headed south to Choke Canyon and braved some stuffy, high temperatures. We hopped below puffy cumulous clouds before returning to Stinson. Thanks Clay!
FLIGHT #7: May 26, 2002 : Jeanine & Tanner LaRocque : Skyhawk N24445
My sister Jeanine an nephew Tanner joined me for a quick flight in Skyhawk N24445. Despite a few bumps from turbulence we had a great time. Tanner handled the whole experience like a pro. It was a pleasure taking them both flying!
FLIGHT #6: May 19, 2002 : Thomas Blackburn III : Skyhawk N701SP
Father-in-law/"Dad B" Tom Blackburn joined Shannon and I for a flight to the Texas Hill Country. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Brilliant blue, cloudless skies greeted us. We flew up to Fredericksburg and then returned with a flight over Medina Lake.
FLIGHT #5: April 29, 2002 : Christy Blackburn : Skyhawk N26481
My mother-in-law/"Mom B" Christy Blackburn was a big supporter of my pursuit of flight from the very beginning. This comes as no surprise given Christy's own experience with aviation as a former member of the Civil Air Patrol. Christy joined Shannon and I for a flight down to Choke Canyon. We encountered some thick haze at our cruise altitude of 5,500 feet and decided to get lower and enjoy the brilliant views. We made a landing at Live Oak County Airport and then returned home to Stinson.
FLIGHT #4: April 14, 2002 : Jack E. Moore : Skyhawk N729SP
Wow! Taking my Dad flying was so much fun. It was an honor and privilege to share the skies with him. Dad's never been a big fan of flying but he hopped in the Skyhawk with no hesitation. We had a blast! We flew down to McKinley field near Pearsall, Texas and flew over my grandmother's house. It was a smooth flight with great visibility. Thanks for always being there for me Dad!!
FLIGHT #3: April 6, 2002 : Thomas Blackburn IV : Skyhawk N729SP
My brother-in-law, Thomas Blackburn IV, joined Shannon and I for a short but fun flight to the local practice area south of Stinson Municipal Airport (KSSF). Despite overcast skies, we had a great time including a fun-filled short-field takeoff!
FLIGHT #2: March 31, 2002 : Shannon Moore : Skyhawk N559SA
Taking my wife Shannon on her first flight with me as pilot-in-command was a huge milestone. Shannon's encouragement during my flight training and her unwavering support made it possible for me to fulfill my dream of learning to fly. This was a fun flight to Choke Canyon reservoir where we enjoyed stunning visibility and cloudless skies. It was awesome...
FLIGHT #1: March 23, 2002 : Joey Hemming : Skyhawk N24445
My first passenger! Joey Hemming is my cousin who lives and breathes aviation. I often refer to him as my "copilot" because he is a life-time member of my own frequent flyer club! This was a great flight with some tough windy conditions and a close encounter with a vulture but a nice landing to end a very fun flight!
