Relaxed sightseeing flying in Connecticut
What do you do when you receive a text at 7.30 in the morning saying: “Sorry for the late reaction, but yes, our CFI Rob would be able to fly with you at 9.30 this morning.” First of all you stop being angry with your niece and nephew for waking you yet again before 6 – then you answer: “Yes please, this would be great!”
Ok, probably not everybody would react like this, but I did. When I booked my flight to visit my brother and his family earlier this year, it was clear that I would use the chance to get my PPL conversion done at the same time and hopefully spend some time up in the air during my short trip as well. As PH-Kajsa went through all the US admin already, listening to her handy hints saved me quite some trouble and searching the net (You missed her article? Check it out here: Fly the USA – obtaining your foreign license based airmen certificate).
There are plenty of fields and schools within a 50 miles radius from Hartford – however, getting a free plane with safety pilot turned out to be a mission. Lesson learnt: call instead of mailing!
Finally I hold the desired papers in my hands…but my search for a flying school with free spots is still pretty unsuccessful: “Sorry love, but we are fully booked” is the regular answer when I go from mailing (no answers there at all, so spare yourself the time and rather phone from the start!) to calling airfields and schoosl within the area. So I am more than happy when yesterday afternoon (yes, I was very close to giving up at that point) Mark from Meriden Aviation Center calls back: “I see what I can do.” … and then nothing…until this morning! No wonder my answer was enthusiastic this morning!
Meriden Aviation Center it is!
So after a quick shower and an even quicker breakfast I am heading down South to Meriden, a small town halfway down to the coast. There wasn’t much time for preparation, so I am glad when Rob, my safety pilot for the day, starts slowly: “Let’s see where you are, what you have been doing so far and what the differences are between Europe and flying over here!” The briefing allows a sneak view on my phone: RW 18/36, asphalt, 944.88m x 22.86m, wind 340 degrees, 3 kts…perfect! I can do this! the route is also agreed pretty quickly: “Let’s head to Block island along the coast. They do good breakies there!” Do I hear coffee? Off we go then, please!
N 107 MR ready for departure RW 36
While getting the plane ready curiousity wins. Rob’s business card reads like a book: CFI, CFII, CFI-G, MEI, AGI, IGI, ATP, A&P-IA….and certainly, in ‘real life’ he is a software engineer and a stand-bye radio presenter for a station in Hartford. I love these added values of meeting really interesting people while at the same time having fun, getting more flying experiences and seeing my holiday destination from a slightly different angle than the average tourist.
Following Connecticut River towards the coast
Quickly we are up in the air and even though I still feel I am not a Piper fan and my last Piper experience is already months old, I simply feel good….and might become a Piper fan after all. After take of from RW 36 we turn right towards the coast. Rob takes over the radio so I can simply relax and enjoy: “Pilots over here are getting lazy. They still report in the traffic pattern, but then they state things like ‘the red and white Cessna downwind for landing’ rather than their aircraft marking. What a stupid thing to do – as if there would be only one red and white Cessna in the world!” I am getting his point.
Beautiful views @New London
But Rob is not just full with pilot stories, he also shares all his knowledge about the area. 100 years ago this was a farmland area but with rising costs, people moved more and more commercial. I never imagined this area to be so green, now and then there is a break in the stretching woodlands making room for lovely farmhouses. It simply looks beautiful from the air!
Time’s flying when you are….flying
Groton airport (KGON) at the coast – right off a long bay would be an easy airport to find as well.
It is time to leave the coast line and head out to Block island. Long island is left from us but unfortunately hidden in the morning haze. However, we are spoilt with views again crossing Fishers island and finally, Block Island is ahead.
However, we did spent a tiny little bit too much time on zick zack sightseeing, so no time for a coffe break here. But going round the island on 1800 ft getting the full views is probably an even nicer option.
Block island ahead
Notice the light house? It had to be moved a few years back as the ocean was working on the cliffs too much.
Block island airport has a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily.
Approaching KMMK from the East for landing
Never miss an opportunity for a flying chick pic
Unfortunately it is time to head back. Let’s go overland this time as I would be sitting on the water side anyway 🙂 And still there is much to see and many more stories to be shared. This trip was fun – and it is a shame that we will not have time to head off again while I am here. But thankfully my brother just prolonged his stay here….so who knows?!?!?
Thanks Rob for a great couple of hours flying, chatting and learning…and last not least, thanks for taking over my messed up landing at the end 🙂
Crossing Westerley State airport on the way back
Foxwood casinos…Vegas of Connecticut
