My Flying Life

Made it! A tricky approach into Georgetown Airport.

Note the downward slope of the runway as you approach from over the gorge.

Boot camp involves lots of flight planning...

...filling the gas tanks yourself...

...learning how to pack light and set up your own tent...

...how to tell friend from foe when it comes to clouds...

 ... making do with rustic facilities, like the shower at Kern Valley airport campground...

...eating healthy, well-rounded meals...

...discovering some of the many, many uses of duct tape...

 ...and seemingly endless trips back to the tent. Who's got the key to the airplane?

When the day's work is done, a refreshing run around the segmented circle is in order.

Look at that air!

We usually manage to find some form of recreation in town...

...but watch out because I play to win!

You never know what kind of random stuff you'll come across - like this group of reporters covering the Michael Jackson memorial from Santa Ynez airport...

...or this guy straight out of a Western, gun and all.

Ahh... Santa Ynez.

 Quality hangout time with the locals is important, too...

...as is some time playing with the local toys.

Cooling off in the Kern River.

Barefoot in Bakersfield.

Porterville diner.

What a great feeling...

...sunset after a long, productive day.

Morning - time for a runway inspection...

...big terrain at the end of this one...

...uh, bigger terrain at the end of this one. What's a girl to do?

Nonstandard airport signage.

Approaching Pine Mountain Lake airport. Turn right over the river and you can't miss it.

On final at Columbia. A nicely executed final approach is a thing of beauty.

In short, boot camp can make any pilot feel like a kid in a candy store. Oh wait, this IS a kid in a candy store... but this kid just earned her wings.