Aviation

As a private pilot I have to have a page for my most favorite hobby and pastime. I own and fly a 1974 Cessna Skyhawk II. 

This is Wyoming Valley Aviation where I learned to fly. It is nestled in the beautiful Poccono mountains of the Northeast Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre.  This is my initial flight instructor Mr. Gerald Cooper    

I soloed on the 8th Dec 2001, and what an achievement it was !  As per tradition, Gerry ripped my shirt off and everybody at the airport autographed it.  . Then came the fun but hard part of flying on my own relying on an aviation chart, intermittently working radios of the school planes, and bad weather days. Then came the solo cross country flying - trips as far away as 340nm from my home base to Johnstown, PA in a thick layer of summer haze and heat. In May 2002, after grinding away at Jeppesen manuals and sitting through the King School CDs passed my written FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test for private pilots. Now I was ready for my night cross country flying. Meanwhile had to change my instructor as Jerry had issues with his flight physical.

Nick Bollick, my new Instructor, was fantastic and in a few days had me ready for the practical test, flying with an FAA Designated Flight Examiner. And on Sept.5th took my check ride with Bridgette Vanscoy, an ATP flying with one of the major carriers. After being grilled with an oral test, we went flying on a clear day with  a direct crosswind at 12kts gusting to 19kts. Well, to be honest, it was hard. And looooong!  I landed the plane with her in it for one last time and she said she was sure I would be OK. "Congratulations ! You are now a Private Pilot !" I was on a cloud and not even in an airplane !

Meanwhile, I had a hard time scheduling the planes on the weekends when I took lessons and went looking for my own little bird. And this is what I found. My very own little Cessna Skyhawk. She bears the tail # N12572.         

And here is one with the crew

Nanda taking off in 572 with his family for a Sunday morning breakfast at Towanda .

With my own airplane and armed with a Airman's Certificate, I was free to roam the skies. Meena joins me when ever she feels she can handle my madness, and only for so long. Still we do get to places.

Meena and I flew to Atlantic City  Dec. 2002 for the Cessna Pilots Association Meet. We met everybody at Bader Field, adjacent to the casinos. Here we are at a banquet lunch at one of the "palaces".         And here is Meena posing with the casinos in the background at Atlantic City, NJ. .

Have been to many places including a trip to eat wings in Buffalo, NY at the famous Anchor Bar.

In June 2003 we moved to Indianapolis and took residence at Fishers. Guess what? There is but one road between our backyard and the airport. I fly out of Indianapolis Metro Airport.

 I have a hangar at Metro Airport and am happy I don't have to brush snow off the wings when it snows. Here is my airplane inside the hangar     .

AOPA  the airplane owners and pilot's association  is the finest organization for any general aviation information and resource.

General Aviation Serving America if you want to know about GA.

EAA The experimental aircraft association. This is the place for home built airplanes. And EAA holds the Airventure at Oshkosh every year which is the largest aviation expo in the world.

Cessna Pilots Association - a great place for people who own Cessna airplanes. This is a members only site.