Escanaba Bureau reporter, Yona Gavino, and Meteorologist Dustin Bonk fly high
by Yona Gavino
ESCANABA -- Part of my job as a reporter includes trying new things on camera.
I was invited to try my hand at flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk.
Have I ever flown a plane before?
No.
Flying is definitely easier said than done - at least for me.
Since I couldn't record the camera at the same time - who better to film the adventure than TV-6 meteorologist, Dustin Bonk!
I first did a pre-flight inspection. Some of the major points include making sure there is plenty of fuel - at least half a reserve. Next you have to make sure there’s enough aviation oil.
The introductory lesson with instructor, Terry Glimn, included how to taxi, take off, fly, and descend.
The first portion went pretty good, except for a minor problem: I couldn't see above the panel. You should definitely be able to see what's going on out above, especially if you're the one flying the plane. I was given a boat cushion to sit on, and after that, I was ready to try again.
My heart was racing, Dustin felt queasy, but the views from the sky were breathtaking.
“If you look around, your view is limited by the first building or the first tree or the first bush that you see in your background,” said Glimn. “In an airplane, you climb up over that and the whole world opens up. To me that's the thrill of flying."
I'd seen Escanaba and Menominee County before - but never from a plane that I was piloting.
“Give it a little more power. And now push on the left rudder pedal. We’ll go around that way," Glimn said.
He assured me that it's even easier to fly a plane than learn how to drive.
He's been teaching flying for 20 years, and I was so thankful the plane was dual-control.
I don't know if there's a story that'll top me flying a plane.
And while I’m not quitting my day job, learning to fly was truly an unforgettable experience.
Source: http://www.uppermichiganssource.com
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