Gallery Update: Some Quick Shots at Work

After I got done flying and got back to work, all the planes went out again and there was a lull in office activity. That gave me an excuse to step outside with my camera in hand and get a little photography in. It was a beautiful day and a lot of aircraft were flying. And I got lucky, as there were a few unique aircraft sightings.

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 19

Preview:

Robinson R44 Raven II (N825TJ) arriving over Taxiway A.

Lancair 320 (N320DP) on short final for 30.

Airgyro Taurus (N553AT) on short final for 30 working the pattern. Airgyro Aviation manufactures the Tercel and Taurus gyrocopters. The Taurus is built for more heavy-duty roles such as air spray, fire & rescue, and heavy-lifting. It can hold three people compared to the Tercel's two and the Taurus can carry a heavier payload.

Platinum Aviation Diamond DA20-C1 Katana Eclipse (N802CT) on short final for 30 working the pattern. My flight instructor was giving a checkout flight!

Cessna 172M Skyhawk (N8285H) on short final for 30. Note the attachment points for sensor equipment; several aircraft based at Spanish Fork work in this capacity for some reason.

Pilot Life: A Quick Stint in the Pattern

I had to go into work today. While on the job, I decided to take a Katana up for a quick spin since it was a nice day outside! Plus the Katana I was flying in was coming due for its 100 hour inspection so I figured a quick flight would get to that process sooner. After pre-flight, I hopped in and got the engine started. After taxiing a short ways, I did my engine run-ups before taxiing over to Runway 30. It was busy! I was waiting in line for takeoff  behind Platinum Aviation's two other Katanas! I can't remember the last time I was in a queue for takeoff!

Always fun taking N992CT out for a quick spin!

Once it was my turn to take the runway, I lined up and waited to let a Katana ahead of me gain some altitude. Once that was done, I throttled forward and got airborne. With spring in full swing and temperatures being warmer, it was naturally bumpy up in the air, but nothing I couldn't handle. I did three laps in the pattern, for two touch-and-go landings as well as a full-stop landing. For my two touch-and-go landings, I had to extend my downwind legs each time because of landing traffic and I wanted to create some adequate spacing. Needless to say, I got my landings down considering that it's in a Katana, the plane I know and fly so much.

After my third, full-stop landing, I taxied off the runway and taxied the plane over the mechanic's hangar as it's due for the 100 hour inspection. I shut the engine down and secured the airplane in front of the hangar and called it a good, short flight. Afterwards, I got back to work.

Pilot Life: Checked Out in the DA40 Dimaond Star!

Today, I hit another small milestone in my flying career by adding a third aircraft to my repertoire and FINALLY getting checked out in the Diamond DA40 Diamond Star! If things went right last year, I should've been checked out in this plane back then. Regardless, I'm now checked out in my very first four-seat airplane! The original plane was to get some meaningful flying in this morning, however on arrival, I found out that the Diamond Star I was going to take with my instructor was about to be used for a checkride. So, using my privileges as a dispatcher, I pushed back my flight with my instructor to the late morning/early afternoon. Once that previous checkride was done, I took over the plane with my instructor and I did the pre-flight and walk-around.

Got my DA40 checkout done in N321PF today!

After finishing the pre-flight, my instructor and I hopped in and we got the engine started. We taxied a short ways to do the run-ups. This is my third flight in the Diamond Star and I felt that I was able to get things done faster. After the run-ups were complete, we taxied over to Runway 30 and got ready for takeoff. I visually cleared the final approach and departure ends before moving onto the runway. I advanced the throttles, began takeoff roll, and we got airborne.

We started the flight by picking up where we left off the last time I flew the DA40 by polishing up my landings, so we did two laps in the pattern and got some touch-and-go landings in; two to be exact. They were definitely an improvement since last time. After a quick stint in the pattern, we made a left-crosswind departure to the south and started climbing in altitude. My instructor made a few radio calls to one of his students, who was in the area to check on him while I focused on flying the airplane.

We made a circling turn just southwest of the airport until my instructor had me overfly the airport well-above the traffic pattern and headed east. Once we were to the east of the airport, we went straight into maneuvers, my first time doing so in the Diamond Star. We started with slow flight, so I pulled back the engine power and did some maneuvering at slow airspeed. We then did some stalls; we started with power-off stalls since were were already slow and configured for landing, so to speak. I waited for the stall warning horn go off and then the airplane began dropping before I initiated recovery. I then did a power-on stall. Different airplane, but similar methods. I again waited for the stall warning horn go off while engine power was at full power before the plane dropped followed by the subsequent recovery process.

After doing stalls, we did an emergency descent simulating an engine fire. I then pulled out the emergency checklist and went through it before recovering from the subsequent simulated engine-out scenario. I still have yet to get to know the DA40 better in many aspects. But for the most part, my instructor was satisfied with my performance. The last maneuver we had time for was the steep turn. It was very clear to me that I still needed to get used to the G1000 instrumentation instead of a round, gyroscopic instrument. But for the most part, things were alright.

We then headed back to the airport and finish out the flight by doing some more landing practice. From the northeast side of the airport, we flew overhead and entered the traffic pattern for Runway 30 as the winds changed since we took off, and got set up for a touch-and-go landing. I made a very good landing and my instructor noticed! I applied power once again and got back in the air. The next landing would be full-stop, so my instructor challenged me to do a short-field landing. Once again, I got set up and then tightened my pattern legs and aimed for the runway threshold in order to make the 1,000 foot markers. However, on short final just feet off the ground, the airplane just dropped! It even caught my flight instructor off guard! As it turns out, we experienced a little wind shear! Thankfully, the landing wasn't all that bad, but it was definitely not a short-field landing!

We cleared the runway at the next available taxiway and we taxied back to the ramp and over to the fuel pumps where someone was waiting to take the plane after us. We went through the shut-down procedure and shut the engine down, signifying the completion of a successful checkout flight. After vacating the plane, we filled out my logbook; and my flight instructor gave me my checkout endorsement for the Diamond DA40 Diamond Star, another milestone in my aviation career!

Gallery Update: Chasing a Cessna 560XL Citation Excel at Spanish Fork

After I got back from taking a friend flying this morning, I noticed an aircraft that I've been chasing after was getting ready to depart. The aircraft I was after was a locally-based Cessna 560XL Citation Excel that's kept in one of the hangars at Spanish Fork. And based on everything I've seen at Spanish Fork so far, I believe this Citation Excel is the largest fixed-wing aircraft based at Spanish Fork. I've seen this jet fly in and out quite a few times but never photographed it until now because I was either flying or I didn't have my camera with me. In fact, I ran to grab my camera from my car so I could get this photo opportunity!

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 18

Preview:

Cessna 560XL Citation Excel (N75PS) holding short of 30 prior to departure.

Platinum Aviation Diamond DA40 Diamond Star (N321PF) on short final for 30 working the pattern. Good timing with this shot, as I got the left strobe flash!

Cessna R172K Hawk XP (N736ML) on short final for 30 working the pattern.

N75PS taking the active. The "business end" of the Citation Excel! You can really smell the jet exhaust whenever a jet or a turboprop is operating out of Spanish Fork!

N75PS beginning takeoff roll for departure on 30; no idea where to because this aircraft is untrackable on FlightAware or FlightRadar24!

Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Maricella Flying!

Just for the record, my former-Mission President from my days in Japan put me up to this one! I offered to take my friend Maricella, a former-Sister missionary for the LDS Church I knew from when I was spending time in Japan flying. We were originally going to go on Saturday afternoon/evening, but the winds were atrociously gusty and there were reports of turbulence all over the valley at various altitudes so I elected to play it safe and reschedule the outing to today. The weather was fine so I proceeded with today's flight. Upon arrival at the airport, I immediately did the pre-flight inspection for the airplane. Once that was done, we hopped in, closed the canopy, and I got the engine started.

Today's flight was on N968CT.

Winds were favoring Runway 12, so I taxied us to the far end of the airport and I did my engine run-ups there. Once run-ups were complete, I held short of the runway momentarily to visually clear the final approach and departure ends. I then taxied onto the runway, began takeoff roll, and we were airborne. I made a right-crosswind departure and we headed southbound towards Payson and Santaquin. My passenger enjoyed the view of the valley from the airplane.

We just flew around the Utah Valley taking in the sights and my passenger got some pictures on her smart phone. And once again, I utilized ForeFlight on my iPad hooked up to the plane's Stratus to get real-time flight information. Once we were over Santaquin, I executed a rapid descent to get set up for turns around a point around the Payson LDS Temple and allow for my passenger to get some more pictures. Once that maneuver was complete, we headed back to Spanish Fork so I could get some landing practice in.

I tuned into the AWOS frequency and noted that the winds have changed to favor Runway 30. So I set up to enter the left-downwind for Runway 30. I got three circuits (two touch-and-go landings plus a full-stop landing) in the pattern before we called it quits, all while keeping an eye out for other traffic in the pattern (there were a few aircraft in the traffic pattern at the time). I executed three flawless landings! On my third, full-stop landing, I came in a little high, so I executed a slip-to-landing to bleed off that excess altitude (it seems like I do that a lot in N968CT!).

We ended up sharing the Spanish Fork traffic pattern with this Cessna 172 (N736ML)!

After rolling out on landing, I vacated the runway at the next available taxiway. After clearing out and going through my routine checklists, I taxied us back to the ramp and hangar. Once I parked the plane, I went through my shut-down procedures and shut the engine down, signifying another successful flight completed! After that, we took a selfie!

Obligatory selfie after finishing the flight!
(Photo credit: Maricella Shaver, my lovely passenger!)

We then popped open the canopy, hopped out, and secured the airplane for the next person flying it. And today's flight was a good way to start the week after Spring Break!

Gallery Update: Allegiant A319 Sighting in Provo

It has certainly been a while since I chased after any large commercial airliners (I need to go spotting up in Salt Lake one of these days!). Unless something unusual or worthwhile was flying in or out, I had no reason to do any spotting at Provo Airport. Plus, I've been busy with school, flight training with Platinum Aviation, and my new job! But this morning, I noticed that the Allegiant Airbus A319 flying into Provo today was a recent acquisition for the airline (and an airframe I never photographed before, not mention being in the new livery!), so I made my way out to the dike road to catch it!

Provo (PVU) 54

Preview:

Allegiant Air Airbus A319-111 (N337NV) rolling out on 31, arriving from Phoenix-Mesa as AAY280. At the turn of the year, Allegiant has temporarily suspended flights to Oakland and San Diego out of Provo due to fluctuation in demand; similar things have happened up in Ogden. However, on certain days of the week, Allegiant flies out Provo to Phoenix twice in one day, hence the different flight number. AAY280 is the second flight of the day.

AAY280 taxiing to the terminal via Taxiway A. Airframe formerly with EasyJet as G-EZED and acquired by Allegiant in Novemeber 2017. The airline put N337NV into service earlier this month!

Utah Valley University Diamond DA40 Diamond Star (N100UV) airborne after departing on 31 for local flight. I should be checked in this plane by now, if it weren't for all the crap UVU put me through last year!
(Yes, I still have some ill-will towards UVU's flight school right now...)

Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Connor Flying!

After a few days of lousy weather, things finally started clearing up during the afternoon, just in time for a flight with my friend, Connor that I've postponed until today. It was raining out when we arrived but by the time the plane was ready to go, the weather cleared out it was a good day to go flying! I conducted the pre-flight in the hangar before playing a quick game of "musical airplanes" to get the Katana I was flying out!

Another flight in N992CT!

After I pulled the airplane out on the ramp, we hopped in and I got the engine started. I taxied the plane a short ways to do run-ups. After engine gauges indicated that all was well, I taxied over to Runway 30 and briefly held short. Once ready, I taxied us onto the runway, did my final cross-checks, and began takeoff roll before getting airborne. Once airborne, I made a left-crosswind departure to the south. From there, I invited Connor to take the controls for a little bit to feel what it's like to fly the airplane; for a first-timer, he didn't do too bad!

We continued southbound towards Payson and Santaquin and used I-15 as a reference point. Once over Santaquin, I executed a rapid descent until we were 1,000 feet off the ground as I set us up to do turns around a point over the Payson LDS Temple and allow for my passenger to get a good look at (and take a few pictures for himself!). After completing the maneuver, I decided to take us into Provo to show what it's like to fly into a towered airport.

As always, I tuned into the ATIS frequency to get the current weather information and then I called up the tower. I was instructed to enter the right-downwind for Runway 13 and report in midfield, which I did. I set us up for a touch-and-go landing and let's just say it wasn't my best landing; it's been getting warm in the valley recently and there's been quite a few updrafts in random places, making things bumpy here and there. And we did get bumped around on final approach! After touching down, I throttled forward and got us back up in the air. Provo tower cleared us for a straight-out departure.

Once out of Provo's airspace, I tuned into Spanish Fork's AWOS again and noticed that the winds shifted in favoring Runway 12. I maneuvered the plane to the northeast a little ways so I could set up to enter the left downwind for Runway 12, watching out for other aircraft in the process. Once again, I set up and configured the plane for landing. And I got a much smoother landing in the process! We rolled out and I taxied the plane off the runway at the next available taxiway and proceeded to taxi over to the fuel pumps, where I shut the engine down. Once that was done, Connor took a selfie!

Obligatory selfie after landing!
(Photo credit: Connor Holman, my passenger!)

We hopped out of the plane, cleaned out our belongings, and then I added some fuel to the plane for the next person who would be flying it. After refueling was complete, I towed the plane over to the hangar where it would be out of the way. We called it a successful flight and I introduced yet another first-timer into the world of General Aviation!

Gallery Update: Life Flight Action at Spanish Fork

The weather was just absolutely lousy today! I was going to take someone up for a short flight this morning, but obviously that had to be cancelled and rescheduled. I went into to work for a little bit and then had to stick around for a employee meeting that went into the evening hours. The time leading up to the meeting was uneventful because no one was flying due to the weather. However, the monotony was broken when a Life Flight helicopter swooped into Spanish Fork to take on some fuel before departing again, giving me just enough time to snap a few photos.

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 17

Preview:

Intermountain Life Flight AgustaWestland AS109SP (N291HC) taxiing for departure on Taxiway A after refueling.

Rain, shine, or snow, these flight crews provide essential life-saving services to rural towns all over the valley. My hats off to these guys for doing what they do regardless of the weather!

Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Korynn Flying!

It's Spring Break for us UVU students (not that it matters to me anyways, since I'm doing all-online classes this semester!) and nothing says "I love having Spring Break!" more than by taking the opportunity to take up another first-time General Aviation passenger flying around the valley! Yesterday, I tried to take my friend Korynn flying in the Piper Cherokee but I ended up aborting the flight because the radios were being fussy (again!) upon engine start-up and troubleshooting ended up with an unsuccessful result.

The Cherokee that I want to fly more has fussy radios.
(I think the plane hates me!)

There weren't any other aircraft available so I rescheduled us for today in a Katana as I knew the plane would be a lot more reliable. It was another early-morning outing so I conducted pre-flight in the hangar once we arrived. After pre-flight was complete, I pulled the airplane out of the hangar and we hopped in, and I got the engine started.

Back to flying in N992CT, a Katana I haven't flown in over a month!

I taxied us a short ways to the run-up area and conducted engine run-ups. Once that was complete and everything looked good, I taxied us over to the far end of the airport to Runway 12. Winds and visibility were alright at the moment but the weather wasn't the most ideal so I was keeping an eye on it. We held short of the runway for a moment to do final checks; another Katana was in the pattern and I called them up to ask how the air was up in the pattern, to which they replied "a little bumpy." I knew what to expect at that point...

I taxied onto the runway, began takeoff roll, and I got us airborne. I started the flight by doing left-closed traffic to get a feel for myself on how smooth the air was; it was bumpy as previously reported, but still manageable. I set up for a touch-and-go landing on Runway 12; it was a smooth landing! I throttled forward and got back in the air, this time departing the traffic pattern and headed southbound. I stayed 1,000 feet above the ground the whole time because of the cloud layers; it was all I needed to do this short flight!

I flew us over I-15 and invited Korynn to feel along with me on the control stick as I flew the airplane; it was bumpy for most of the way. And to make matters worse, it started raining! Thankfully, the outside air temperature was well-above freezing so icing wasn't too much of a concern. I side-stepped the airplane over to the east side of the freeway and got set up for turns around a point over the Payson LDS Temple, to allow my passenger to get some pictures on her phone (my customary scenic flight profile for my passengers!).

After circling the Temple, I took us back towards the airport so I could hopefully get out of the rain. I was planning on spending the rest of the flight practicing some touch-and-go landings, but I decided against that after tuning into the airport AWOS frequency and finding out how squirrelly the winds became. So I decided to make a full-stop landing and played it safe (good thing that I did too!). I crossed over the airport at midfield before swinging back around to establish us on the downwind leg for Runway 12. I lowered the flaps, made my radio calls, and began the descent; on base, I got the flaps fully extended and established the plane on final approach. It was bumpy all the way, but I executed a smooth landing regardless!

I cleared us off the runway at the next available taxiway and began taxiing back to the hangar that I pulled the plane out of. As we were taxiing back, I got a glimpse of the windsock and it was indicating a crosswind across the runway; looks like I made the right decision to call it quits early! After bringing the plane to a stop in front of the hangar, we took a selfie to commemorate this flight!

Obligatory selfie after landing!
(Photo credit: Korynn Gustafson, my lovely passenger!)

I shut the engine down and we hopped out of the airplane. The rain caught up with us as it started pouring on the ground at Spanish Fork! Following a quick post-flight inspection, I had my passenger take shelter in the hangar while I worked quickly to secure the airplane and put it back in the hangar. The other Katana with student and instructor came in right behind us so I helped them secure their plane in the hangar after I got done with mine.

After all that, I called it another successful, albeit, bumpy outing! But one thing's for sure: I pushed my personal limitations out a little with today's flight!

Gallery Update: Some Quick Spotting After Work

It's been a long day! I ended up working past 7 PM this evening due to some things that came up and I willingly stayed to make sure things got done. After I called it quits for today at work dispatching for Platinum Aviation, I decided to stop for a moment and snap a few photos by the ramp as I had my camera with me. I'm seeking and keeping an eye out for larger aircraft (mainly turboprops and business jets) that are either visiting or based at Spanish Fork; I keep seeing or hearing them but I often miss the chance to photograph them because I'm usually busy with work-related tasks (my job comes first after all!). With daylight savings time in effect, the sun goes down much later in the day so I was able to get some nice evening shots.

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 16

Preview:

Pilatus PC-12/45 (N22LP) departing on 30 for Burbank.

Utah Helicopter Robinson R22 Beta (N220WM) working the pattern. I'd recognize that orange livery anywhere!

Tribute: In Memory of Paul Ross Wynn, My Grandfather

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 my dear Grandfather, Paul Ross Wynn peacefully passed away at the age of 91. And today, my family and I laid him to rest in his hometown of Ashton, Idaho, a community where I to this day, hold special ties to. My Grandfather was one of the reasons why I became interested in aviation and eventually, inspired me to become a pilot and pursue a career in aviation.

The V-tailed Beechcraft 35 Bonanza, one my grandfather's favorite aircraft. He once two of them during his lifetime.

My Grandfather earned his pilots license at the age of 16; his interest in aviation was sparked one day when he and his father were driving on a long-distance trip when suddenly, their truck was buzzed by a Douglas DC-3 at low altitude! Initially rattled, followed by some good laughs, my Grandfather caught the bug and got the courage to ask his father, who would allow it on the condition that he would not fly on the Sabbath, a promise he kept his entire life.

To think that a Douglas DC-3 buzzing my grandfather while with his father would inspire him to become a pilot and let aviation become a large part of his life... Times were truly different back then!

My Grandfather was a General Aviation pilot all his life, having logged thousands of hours flying over every U.S. state, Canada, Mexico, and parts of South America. Throughout his life, my Grandfather owned nine different airplanes including two Beechcraft Bonanzas, a Cessna 172, a Piper Cub, an ERCO Ercoupe, and a Mooney M20 among others.

Mooney M20

Piper Cub

ERCO Ercoupe

Cessna 172

My grandfather served in the United States Navy towards the end of World War II. Though he wanted to be a pilot, the Navy stopped accepting applications for such a position since the United States was on the verge of winning the war. Still wanting to fly, he then applied to be a radio operator on a bomber aircraft, the Grumman TBF Avenger. One of his favorite stories from flying on board the Avenger was prank pulled on greenhorn crew members as a sort of 'initiation.' On board is a funnel with a hose attached, which crew members were told it was the primary means to talk to the pilot flying the plane. Except it wasn't meant for talking; it was used to go the bathroom in! Greenhorn crew members (including my grandfather!) were punked with the infamous 'pee tube!'

My grandfather was a crew member on Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers much like this one.

My grandfather's Navy portrait.

My grandfather's World War II Victory Medal and American Campaign Medal.

My entire family and I will miss him dearly. But all of our lives have been touched by Paul Ross Wynn, our grand patriarch for the better and we are grateful for him. I am personally grateful that I had 27 years to get to know him and to share the same passion we have in aviation and airplanes. As a pilot myself, I owe it to my grandfather to carry on a portion of his grand legacy; every flight I take as pilot-in-command from now on will have God on one wing, and my grandfather's spirit on the other.

Love you, Gramps! I will miss you! And thank you for inspiring me to become the man I am today!

Grandpa Ross, as I remember him!

Gallery Update: More GA Traffic at Spanish Fork

Another day, another shift at work, and another opportunity to catch some aircraft working the traffic pattern at the Spanish Fork-Springville Airport. This time, I managed to photograph a jet taking off!

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 15

Preview:

Eclipse 500 (N2486B) taxiing to 30 for departure to Logan.

Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III (N47869) on short final for 30 working the pattern.

Westminster College Piper PA-28-181 Archer III (N963WC) on short final for 30 working the pattern. Sadly, Westminster College's aviation program will be discontinued in mid-2021.
(And it's JUST the airlines that are struggling in the aviation industry!?)

Gallery Update: Spotting While at Work

I got a job! At the beginning of this week, I was hired on as a dispatcher at Platinum Aviation, the flight school I'm currently doing business with for my flight training. I am just absolutely grateful and thrilled for this opportunity to gain employment at an entry-level position in the aviation industry (you can say that my aviation career has REALLY started now!). Having a pilots license and being in flight training towards other ratings is one thing, but after everything I've went through last year, I really needed an actual job in the aviation industry so I can start building upon my résumé and actually get my career going. This new job of mine will be a part of the big adventure!

I've worked a few days a week with a goal to complete daily tasks as needed. With a job and school, I've gained a lot more structure to my schedule and daily activities. I decided to go into work for a few hours this afternoon to help out where I could; it was a somewhat slow day, so I took some opportunities to do some passive plane-spotting during lulls in activity. Plus, since I'm frequently at the Spanish Fork Airport, I'll continue to bring my camera and snap photos when opportunities permit.

Spanish Fork-Springville (SPK) 14

Preview:

Cessna R172K Hawk XP (N736ML) on short final for 30 working the pattern.

Platinum Aviation Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Cruiser (N7625F) on short final for 30.

Robinson R22 (N44UH) on short final for 30.

SOCATA TBM 700 (N930YY) on final for 30, arriving from Logan, Utah.

Bell 505 JRX Jet Ranger X (N505XX) arriving over the field.

Diamond DA-20-C1 Eclipse (N376DC) taxiing over to the run-up pad prior to departure. After photographing, flying and logging time in several different DA-20s, it's strange to see one that I haven't photographed yet! The Eclipse models have rear windows for better visibility and is more suited for private use.

A flight of two locally-based Carbon Cubs taking 30 for departure! These guys use very little runway to get airborne!

CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX (N111XC) on short final for 30. Best Tugs is a locally-based company that makes electric airplane tow tugs; Platinum Aviation is a customer and user of several Best Tugs products, which I use as part of my job!

CubCrafters Super Cub Sport (N47KJ) on short final for 30.

Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Amanda Flying!

This morning, I got up early to take Amanda, another one of my friends flying; this was one flight I've been planning to do for a few weeks now, but we haven't been able to go because of scheduling issues between the two of and other things coming up, that is, until today! After arriving at the airport, we headed over to the hangar and I immediately began pre-flight inspections. After the pre-flight was complete, I had play a quick game of "musical airplanes" to get the Katana I reserved out of the hangar.

I took Amanda flying in N968CT!

Once I towed the Katana out of the hangar, we hopped in and I got the engine started and then hooked up my iPad to the Katana's Stratus. I taxied us a short ways to the run-up pad and did the routine engine run-ups. After verifying a gauges were in the green, we were ready to continue taxiing over to Runway 30. But first, we took a selfie!

Obligatory selfie before takeoff!
(Photo credit: Amanda Schwicht, my lovely passenger!)

I taxied us over to the runway and held short for another Katana that my flight instructor was flying in. Once the final approach and departure ends were visually cleared, I taxied onto the runway and commenced takeoff roll and we got airborne. We gained altitude and I turned us southbound towards I-15. Once we were above the Interstate, I followed it and invited Amanda to take the controls of the airplane with me, which she accepted. I walked her through some gentle banks as we flew south towards the Payson and Santaquin areas.

Over Santaquin, I retook the controls and executed a rapid descent and turned back towards the north. Of course, I was setting up to circle the Payson LDS temple! After descending 1,000 feet, I set us up for turns around a point and circled the Payson Temple a couple of times so Amanda could get a few shots of it with her phone. After we were done, I resumed navigation northbound and climbed in altitude again. I asked Amanda if she wanted to feel what a stall feels like and she gave me the go-ahead. I first did some clearing turns, then a power-on (departure) stall followed by power-off (landing) stall.

After demonstrating those maneuvers, we headed back to the airport to call it quits. I descended and got us set up at pattern altitude for Runway 30 by entering the left-45 downwind. From there it was standard airport pattern work. I set up for a touch-and-go landing. I had to execute a slip on final approach because I came in high, but I was able to get a smooth landing as a result! I throttled forward and got us back in the air again for one last circuit in the patter, this time setting up for a full-stop landing; again, I had to do a slip on final approach, but I got another smooth landing in!

I cleared the runway and taxied the plane back over to the ramp, just in time for the next student and instructor to go flying. After parking the plane, I shut the engine down and conducted a brief post-flight before calling it another successful and fun outing! And I'm happy to say that my passenger had a good time!