Okay, first of all, I'm terrified of heights. I'm also prone to motion sickness. Plus, I'm told, due to health reasons, I can never get a pilot's license. Was I gonna let that stop me? No way!! Meet Mr. Leo Joshua (right), who has been flying since he was thirteen years old. He was my mentor/adventure companion for this adventure; he was Mr. 74!I'd flown a simulator before but this was the real deal- up-in-the-sky-far-to-fall-certain-death! I don't mind admitting
I was a little nervous but there was also part of me that just couldn't wait!! Since I was probably only going to do this once, I brought along my pal, Rob to document this event and provide proof that I did it because I could h
ardly believe it myself. I also thought he might dig the ride. Here we are in front of the plane that I was to fly(left).
Mr. Joshua showed me the different parts of the plane and explained a little something about lift and drag and thrust. Then he went over the safety checklist and we inspected all the different parts of the plane for loose bits and rotting and leaking and such. Here he is (right) clearing out the cockpit while I wring my hands in anticipation of death. We got ready to do the cockpit check but first we had to stuff Rob in the back of the plane with his knees up by his ears to fit. Okay, I'm exaggerating but it was a tight fit.
I was a little nervous but there was also part of me that just couldn't wait!! Since I was probably only going to do this once, I brought along my pal, Rob to document this event and provide proof that I did it because I could h
ardly believe it myself. I also thought he might dig the ride. Here we are in front of the plane that I was to fly(left).Mr. Joshua showed me the different parts of the plane and explained a little something about lift and drag and thrust. Then he went over the safety checklist and we inspected all the different parts of the plane for loose bits and rotting and leaking and such. Here he is (right) clearing out the cockpit while I wring my hands in anticipation of death. We got ready to do the cockpit check but first we had to stuff Rob in the back of the plane with his knees up by his ears to fit. Okay, I'm exaggerating but it was a tight fit.
Next, I got to shout out a tiny window "Prop clear!" which means "Back off, I'm starting up the propeller" in pilot talk. Then this toggle was switched this way and that one that way and I learned how to use the throttle and to read the instruments (there aren't as many as you would think!) The we donned our cool-looking headsets- hard NOT to look cool wearing these - and I got to taxi the plane out onto the runway. You drive it with your feet-"Look, Ma, no hands!" Right foot turns it right, 
left foot turns left. Easy, huh? NOT!!! I was all over the place!Mr. Joshua got us off the ground and then said the most terrifying words I've ever heard "You've got the plane." Arghhhhhhh!!!!! I gripped that yoke so tight that I think I embedded my fingerprints in it permanently(right). Mr. Joshua sat next to me and gave i
instruction, encouragement and directions.(left).
instruction, encouragement and directions.(left). I brought the plane up to 3,500 feet and then leveled it out. I turned left and right and did a 360 degree turn. I kept my little cartoon wings on the instrument panel as level as I could and looked around for other aircraft and followed the bearings I was given. I was going more than 100 miles per hour!! We flew over our post and I could see my school. We flew over town and I could see my neighborhood. I had no idea so many of my neighbors had pools! Then we headed out to the coast and came back through a beautiful sunset (below)
As we got closer to the airfield, I used a GPS to fly. It works just like the ones in a car.Naturally, Mr. Joshua did the landing;at the airfield I only had to learn to fly the plane, not land it. He did a fabulous job. I had a new appreciation for pilots after this experience!
Here I am after the flight a little nauseous but safe and sound on the ground. I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night 
Here I am after the flight a little nauseous but safe and sound on the ground. I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night 
Then on to the launch!!!!!
...and that fast, it was gone. It was really spectacular but I was disappointed at how quicly it was over; it literally only last seconds. My sister, who is a veteran of these launches tells me that a night launch is even more impressive and that I should come back for one of those too. I will certainly try but there are only five launches left in the Space Shuttle program. I wonder what my sister will have me building on that trip.
