Up ... up ... and away!!!
Toni Merriss
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Features
Let's go fly . . . a plane?
So many people would love the chance to fly a plane but never really feel like they have the time, patience or money. Well, we have a treat for you!
Located in Oxford, right off the interstate is Anniston Aviation, a local airport that doubles as a flight school, complete with their own planes and a Certified Flying Instrutor (CFI), Joe Escue.
"I wanted to be close to the hustle and bustle of Atlanta but not right in the city. So I came to Anniston," said Escue. Escue was a pilot for Delta Airlines for 26-years and also has 13 more years of general aviation experience.
I, for one, never thought I would have the chance to ever take a flying lesson, much less report on it. So when this opportunity came along I knew that I had to take it.
Not really sure what to expect when I set up the appointment for my lesson, I was really excited to just get up in the air. Then I arrived at the airport. The butterflies in my stomach had already begun their somersaults as Escue began telling me all that really goes into being a pilot.
There is quite a bit of training that goes into learning to fly that does not even place you in the cockpit. In order to obtain a private pilot's license, you have to pass the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) written test, an oral test and a flight test in addition to recording various flight times and cross-country training.
Many pilots use maps or charts to help them navigate. Just like in many cars, pilots are also using global positioning systems (GPS) to help them develop a more accurate system. A list can be downloaded into many GPS units every 28 days with updates on airports and airspace. Surprisingly, planes operate much like the automobile you drive everyday. There are some noticable differences though, the first being that you are not on the ground anymore, Dorothy. Also, before take off, many people do not perform an in-depth inspection of their vehicle to make sure everything is in proper working order like is required for a plane. Lastly, when making your way onto the ramp, a pilot controls the wheels with his/her feet, unlike in a car, where if you wanted to make a turn, you would simply turn the wheel. In this case, you actually turn the wheels with feet pedals, pushing down on the left to make a left turn (like pressing down on the clutch for those in the stick shift world), and the right to make a right turn (like pressing on the gas for pretty much everyone). Let me just tell you, that takes a little getting used to.
So many people would love the chance to fly a plane but never really feel like they have the time, patience or money. Well, we have a treat for you!
Located in Oxford, right off the interstate is Anniston Aviation, a local airport that doubles as a flight school, complete with their own planes and a Certified Flying Instrutor (CFI), Joe Escue.
"I wanted to be close to the hustle and bustle of Atlanta but not right in the city. So I came to Anniston," said Escue. Escue was a pilot for Delta Airlines for 26-years and also has 13 more years of general aviation experience.
I, for one, never thought I would have the chance to ever take a flying lesson, much less report on it. So when this opportunity came along I knew that I had to take it.
Not really sure what to expect when I set up the appointment for my lesson, I was really excited to just get up in the air. Then I arrived at the airport. The butterflies in my stomach had already begun their somersaults as Escue began telling me all that really goes into being a pilot.
There is quite a bit of training that goes into learning to fly that does not even place you in the cockpit. In order to obtain a private pilot's license, you have to pass the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) written test, an oral test and a flight test in addition to recording various flight times and cross-country training.
Many pilots use maps or charts to help them navigate. Just like in many cars, pilots are also using global positioning systems (GPS) to help them develop a more accurate system. A list can be downloaded into many GPS units every 28 days with updates on airports and airspace. Surprisingly, planes operate much like the automobile you drive everyday. There are some noticable differences though, the first being that you are not on the ground anymore, Dorothy. Also, before take off, many people do not perform an in-depth inspection of their vehicle to make sure everything is in proper working order like is required for a plane. Lastly, when making your way onto the ramp, a pilot controls the wheels with his/her feet, unlike in a car, where if you wanted to make a turn, you would simply turn the wheel. In this case, you actually turn the wheels with feet pedals, pushing down on the left to make a left turn (like pressing down on the clutch for those in the stick shift world), and the right to make a right turn (like pressing on the gas for pretty much everyone). Let me just tell you, that takes a little getting used to.
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