Backbone - May 25, 2007

Hello! A trip to Backbone and some pictures to share tonight. Check it out.

Enjoy!

Because I want to...

Wow - it's been a busy couple of days and I doubt it's going to get any better. Everything from business to flying to weddings. It's all good, though. We'll tackle it one way or the other.

I'm pretty happy staying local and flight instructing. I really enjoy the thrill of teaching people a new skill and sharing what I love with other people every single day. I like to think that my passion for it shines through with each and every lesson.

At any rate... plugging away. The weather has been terrible lately, so I've just been hanging out and getting some extra work done that I've been putting off. That's been OK, but hey... let's go fly!

CIGAR

Hey bloggers - welcome to Friday! Here's a small tip for ya...

If you forget your checklist in the airplane, or can't find it, try this acronym for your pre-takeoff check:

• C - Controls (free and clear)
  
• I - Instruments (heading indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, etc.)
  
• G - Gas (correct tank, fuel pumps, etc.)
  
• A - Airplane (general.. seat belts, doors, etc.)
  
• R - Run-up (magneto checks, engine instruments, etc.)
  

Many of you may already use it, but for those of you who don't... there you go. Free stuff.

College graduate!

Well, it finally happened. I am an official college graduate of Upper Iowa University. I have included a slideshow below to highlight some of the day's happenings... enjoy.

explanation

I thought I would explain some of the posts I have been making in recent days and months. Some have been positive and some have been negative, to be sure. But fear not, there is good reason.

You see, my intent is not to push myself away from flying or to push anyone else away from flying as a career. At times, it seems like I am harsh on certain airplanes, or harsh on the career itself. The problem is, as a blog reader, you can't begin to understand the true meanings behind what I am writing.

I love aviation. I love being free in the air and being able to go any where I please. And I love to share that freedom with other people, whether I am teaching a lesson or simply giving a ride. I have done many, many things so far for being only 22 years old. There are still two situations that given me the most thrill in the entire world: giving a first airplane ride and congratulating a student after he or she gets their license. There is no better feeling in the entire world. Of course, when they fail, I share that failure and feel equally as bad as they do - but failures happen in all forms and all situations in life.

You see, the negative comments I leave on this blog are simply random thoughts that I am venting. Quite frankly, I am tired of dealing with insurance companies, tired of trying to impress people, and tired of having to prove what I can do and who I am in the aviation world. Further more, I'm tired of trying to be someone I am not.

To all of the young(er) people out there who read this (I think there is at least one of you), do not worry. If flying the big iron is your ultimate dream, I cheer you on. I have no problem with that. What I am conveying on this blog is that flying the heavy iron or even some corporate jobs is simply not right for me.

Flying has to be a personal experience. At least it does for me. It needs to be meaningful and awesome, not another day in the office. Now, to some, flying people around in expensive jets is meaningful. Great! But what needs to be understood is that it isn't meaningful to me - it's just a job. Sure, it's flying, and that's great - but it is on someone else's terms and it means fighting weather which is no fun, either.

I leave you with this thought... I know I am young, but I have experienced a lot of the aviation world in a short period of time. I have washed airplanes, pumped fuel, mowed grass at airports, organized airshows, organized fly-ins, taught people to fly in everything from tail draggers to twin-engine aircraft, flown charter trips all over the country, spoken at schools about aviation, dropped skydivers, and given airplane rides to little kids just getting their first taste of flight. But it's not about what I've done so much as what does it all mean?

Define yourself. Do what makes you happy and you will never regret a single day. A very good friend told me that if you do what makes you happy, you are guaranteed to be successful. I believe he is right.

Don't let anyone else define who you are. If flying for American Airlines is your goal, go for the gold. If teaching people to fly old worn-out tail draggers is what makes you happy, we'll see you in the sky.


Clear skies,
Casey

defying gravity

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

- "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked" as performed by Kristin Chenoweth

Run to Rockford, etc.

Another one of those last minute trips yesterday to Rockford, IL. We jumped in the Cessna 172 and flew to Rockford to grab some parts. Did some dual training along the way, as well. Total flight time was just under 3 hours. The weather was perfect, save for a few bumps and a little wind there in Illinois. And guess what!! We made it there with just a sectional chart!

Other Stuff


My dad recently built up this pretty neat HAM radio (amateur radio) bike. It is a mobile unit that allows him to talk with people all over the country while he is riding. Goofy? Maybe... but still pretty neat. ;) I'm sure it will be fun this summer.

I'm out!
-kc