Oh my! Day 2 of getting up early!
We arrived at the Pagosa Springs Airport at 5:30am. While I sat in the warm car, looking like I had dragged my sleep deprived self out of bed too early, Mark pre-flighted 303B for the first of three flights today.
As it turned out, our briefing time had been moved out to 7am and because of a "message mix up" at the hotel, we were an hour early. Yay, us! There was now time to nip into town and find coffee and breakfast.
At 7am, we met with Tom. He was flying his Comanche and was paired with the Bonanza for formation practice. Tom graciously allowed me to fly with him, affording me the opportunity to take photos of Mark, flying N303B.
It was a beautiful, calm flight. The temperature was very pleasant indeed and already I had a better idea of how formation flying should look. The airplanes were a good match and the still air allowed for closer flying.
Underneath us, Pagosa Springs was catching the morning light and the colors were intense.
We headed toward the designated practice area and Tom gave the command to change to our discreet frequency, from the Pagosa Springs unicom.
Mark flew as #2 in the formation, putting him just behind our right wing.
This is the look of concentration!
Off the Comanche's wing, the valley is filled with low lying smoke from a wildfire just north of Pagosa Springs. Incidentally, this airplane has been in Tom's family since 1963! I love that!
Yes, he is close. It has taken me two flights yesterday and one today, to become ok with this!
The rapidly rising sun glints off Mark's window.
Through the left rear window, Mark emerges after passing under us... From our right side, he dropped back a little and moved down, over and up on the other side.
Our practice area was near Lake Navajo.
Landing gear down and inbound for a two ship element landing. A two mile final to runway 19, then taxiing back for another element takeoff.
Then it was time to debrief the flight and discuss bits and pieces to practice during flight #2...
We arrived at the Pagosa Springs Airport at 5:30am. While I sat in the warm car, looking like I had dragged my sleep deprived self out of bed too early, Mark pre-flighted 303B for the first of three flights today.
As it turned out, our briefing time had been moved out to 7am and because of a "message mix up" at the hotel, we were an hour early. Yay, us! There was now time to nip into town and find coffee and breakfast.
At 7am, we met with Tom. He was flying his Comanche and was paired with the Bonanza for formation practice. Tom graciously allowed me to fly with him, affording me the opportunity to take photos of Mark, flying N303B.
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| Bonanza & Comanche element takeoff |
Underneath us, Pagosa Springs was catching the morning light and the colors were intense.
We headed toward the designated practice area and Tom gave the command to change to our discreet frequency, from the Pagosa Springs unicom.
Mark flew as #2 in the formation, putting him just behind our right wing.
This is the look of concentration!
Off the Comanche's wing, the valley is filled with low lying smoke from a wildfire just north of Pagosa Springs. Incidentally, this airplane has been in Tom's family since 1963! I love that!
Yes, he is close. It has taken me two flights yesterday and one today, to become ok with this!
The rapidly rising sun glints off Mark's window.
Through the left rear window, Mark emerges after passing under us... From our right side, he dropped back a little and moved down, over and up on the other side.
Our practice area was near Lake Navajo.
Landing gear down and inbound for a two ship element landing. A two mile final to runway 19, then taxiing back for another element takeoff.
Then it was time to debrief the flight and discuss bits and pieces to practice during flight #2...
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