Sunday Morning Flying with Sammi

Oct 18, 2007

It was a beautiful day in Southern California on September 30, 2007. For about a week my youngest daughter Sammi (10) and I had been planning on taking a "training" flight in the Arrow. It would be just her and I and a huge empty sky.

We got up really early... well really early for Sam. I'm usually up early on a Sunday morning. We drove from Glendale California to Redlands Municipal airport (where the airplane is based). Its about an hour drive. But a drive with Sam is never boring as we discuss all kids of hot 5th grader topics.

After a through pre-flight we were off into the wild blue yonder. Of course since we were in the area we had to buzz grandma & grandpa's house in Colton. Then practice some 45 degree bank turns around Auntie Marylin's house. Then it was off to Big Bear.

Since this was to be a training flight we flew east over Banning towards Palm Springs. After a quick demonstration on how to maneuver the airplane I handed it over to Sam. Amazingly enough she got it right away. As we climbed to altitude Sam handled the "yoke." She had no trouble keep the wings level or performing standard-rate turns (not that she knew she was doing that).

After about 30 minutes with her hands on the yoke I took control again to land the airplane at Big Bear. From there we ate a great breakfast. We flew back to Redlands via Lake Arrowhead, the El Cajon Pass and Mount Baldy @ 12,500 feet. Sammi especially liked the fast decent, Mount Baldy to Redlands in under 10 minutes (@ 175 knots).

Here is some video footage we shot along the way. Enjoy.