Busy Week

I apologize for not having more entries this week, but there were a lot of late nights and early mornings with mother nature really not cooperating.Last Saturday night we were hoping to fly over the fair but a good ole thunderstorm developed with a nice shelf cloud so we kept our feet on the ground.


Last Sunday morning had a nice long 17 mile flight from the balloon field to Norwood IA (south of Indianola). Once you get off the classic map, there are tons of cattle down there. Then last Monday evening I flew from Otter Creek to a field just north of the balloon field. Thereafter I was grounded for a few days but I was able to get my written test completed. Flew Thursday morning from the balloon field down to a hay field just north of Lake Ahquabi. Visibility that morning was far from ideal, but was still able to maintain at least a mile and a half throughout the flight. On Thursday night had a slow flight from Woodruffs farm north and east of the filed to a house on the southwest side of town. Friday morning the visibility was down in the soup, but after waiting it out Jon Shelton and I flew and had a nice hour and a half long flight. Friday night I soloed, taking off from near Sandyville with the field as the target landing spot. Was able to get a south push early in the flight, but lost it and ended up in a neighborhood just north and east of the field.
I would like to thank my instructors: Bill Clemons, Jim Fromm and Jon Shelton for volunteering their time to help me out. I would also like to thank all my crew this week: Louise, Ashley, Missy, Bret, Brandon, Tyler, Max, Carol, Branden B, Cal, Missy B, Kirk, Thad, Janice and Bob. Of course, all of this would not be possible with out Joel Blankers allowing me to borrow his trailer!!

So, the goals for this fall are to work towards becoming a more competent pilot and take my check ride with the FAA. Once that is completed, I should have my license.