Tuesday, August 21, 2007

It was a late night! 2am-6am flight

Well...Last night, or I guess early this morning I finally did my first night cross country flight. I woke up at 2:00am and headed down to the airport in Provo and started pre-flighting the helicopterand filed a flight plan from Provo to Ogden while my instructor showed up. We ended up departing around 3:15am and just followed I-15 all the way up. The winds were very calm and we had the doors off so we could feel the pockets of warm and cool air along the way. We stayed about 500-1000 ft above the freeway the whole way. We landed in Ogden and refueled and then headed back but made a few stops along the way practicing touch and go's a various airfields along the way. We also decided to take a tour of SLC at 5am and flew around all the big buildings and the temple downtown. It was so fun to be able to just fly around the buildings so low and slowly (one more reason you just gotta love helicopters) enjoying the peaceful sleeping city below. I got home around 6 and went back to bed. My instructor told me that if I ever had any intentions of flying for an EMS service such as life flight, this was a good taste of what that would be like. Well, it's noon so I better get ready for the day and get to work!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Noah! I remember when I flew from Logan to SLC International Airport at about 1:00 a.m. (small plane, not helicopter). It was a little frightening, especially when the air traffic controller told me to let the 747 land first because it was coming in 10 times faster than me. I think I landed and stopped before the runway numbers even started. Anyway, sounds pretty exciting.

Chelsea Johnson said...

Unbelievable Noah! Max and I were thinking of you the night the mine rescuers all had to be life flighted and we were driving and kept seeing the life flight helicopters above us. What a fun profession you are going to have! We're very proud of you.

Billie Sue said...

Hey - good for you! I didn't know you were doing it when you did, but I too remember when Allen did his night flight and also his first solo and how I prayed and worried. I guess one less grey hair for me since I didn't even know you were doing it, but I am definitely proud of you for your commitment and diligence! Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Noah, Every time we see or hear a helicopter the girls run out side and scream UNCLE NOAH, UNCLE NOAH! I just let them pretend that it really is you. I can't wait to take a ride with you I LOVE to fly.

Anonymous said...

Ya, I must admit that it was pretty intimidating talking to SLC airport's traffic control. I had to have them repeat a few things for me just to be sure I wasnt misinterpreting their orders and getting in the way of some big old jumbo jet (my small helicopter could probably fit nicely into one of their engines). I'm flying again tonight at 4:00 down to Nephi and within a few weeks I should have my Private Pilot License so that pretty exciting! I cant wait to be able to give you all rides!

Anonymous said...

Noah, how long would it take to buzz down to Vegas and pick us up? I do want you to get your hours in.

The Gunnerson Family said...

Noah, just to let you know...all the hot guys in ROTC went into aviation. I guess it just goes to show that there is a direct corretlation between hotness and helicopter pilots!

The Gunnerson Family said...

I meant that you are hot in a nice sisterly kind of way. =)