Pulled the end of the video out to post here because it’s huge; there’s no way more than a bit could be posted at one time. So, here’s the final bit of flight – with the money shot, Tyler’s big smile and thumbs up after he executes a perfect landing.

Our 12 year old grandson Tyler had his first flying lesson today, called a ‘Discovery flight’. So far Tyler’s been a natural at everything he’s tried; sports, music, academics… So we wondered if he’d take to flying as easily. Once again, he’s a natural!

He’s got his own log book now with an hour’s flight time logged, along with take off and landing. He took off, flew and landed the plane with very little help from the instructor, who was suitably impressed, by the way.
He has a sim at home, but said that actual flying was much easier than the sim.

The flight school. Actually, I found out later that this is the rear door. Oops.

Mike, Tonie, Tyler, Amber and Kaytlin.

Tyler looked a bit pensive. We learned from his mom that he was pretty nervous. Can’t say I blame him!

The girls just wanted to get out of the sun.

Tonie, Amber, Kaytlin and I drove on our way while Tyler had ground school, pre-flight and flew. Mike, who is busting with pride, by the way, sat in the rear seat and let the instructor do his thing. Both were amazed with Tyler’s natural ability.

They flew down the coastline, down as far as Biscayne Bay, over the Seaquariam and back.

Mike also recorded the entire thing, so I’ll try to post at least a bit of it later. Very cool, eh?

UPDATE: The images Mike took with his phone…

Arthur and his flying friends went to a training event today. The first Saturday of every month a flight school has a barbecue and training session for the public. Everyone eats, plays on the sims, has a training session and there’s absolutely no obligation or solicitation.
Great way to drum up business.

So, he saw this hanging on the wall… the three guys on the left in the poster? Yep, he and his two friends at an earlier event. You can also see his image as he takes a pic of the poster with his crackberry.

…and these are of Sebring, FL.