Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Sean Flying!

It's been a while since I last took a friend flying around the valley, but today changed all that as I was privileged to take my friend Sean flying around the valley for a quick local flight before he went home for the summer in a few days! The two of us met at the Spanish Fork Airport and waited for the plane we were going to fly; I originally scheduled us for the Cherokee, but it went down for its upcoming 100 hour inspection, so I had to settle for a Katana instead. Once the plane became available, we headed out to it; the previous guys flying it were nice enough to park it by the fuel pumps!

We took N802CT; it certainly has been a while since I last flew this particular Katana!

After completing the pre-flight, I put some fuel in the tanks. I then pulled the airplane away from the fuel pumps to make room for any other planes that may want to use them as a common courtesy. We hopped in the plane, closed the canopy, went through my start-up checklist, and got the engine started. I quickly picked up the latest weather information via the AWOS frequency and then I taxied us a short distance and did the run-ups. Afterwards I taxied us over to Runway 30 only to realize winds completely shifted! So I taxied us over to Runway 12 instead. I held short and verified final approach and departure ends were clear and taxied onto the runway. I throttled forward to start takeoff roll and we got airborne. I made a right crosswind departure southbound over the interstate.

From there, I invited Sean to take the controls and feel what it's like to fly an airplane. We stayed over the Interstate and I guided him through some gentle banks and maintaining level flight until we were just south of Payson. I retook the controls and made a gentle descent in preparation for some turns around point around the Payson LDS Temple, my customary sight-seeing agenda for any scenic flight with a friend! I set up for the turn and began circling the Temple, allowing my buddy Sean to get some pictures for himself!

After completing the maneuver, I decided to take us back to the airport. I tuned into the AWOS and go figure, the winds that shifted back when we were on the ground was gusting. I would've done a touch-and-go, but I decided to play it safe and make the landing a full-stop. Winds were still favoring Runway 12, so I crossed over midfield above pattern altitude and swung back around to enter the left downwind leg at pattern altitude. I set up for landing configuration and flew the pattern until I established on final approach. Despite the stiff winds, I made a smooth landing! After rolling out, I taxied us off the runway at the next available taxiway. Once we were clear, we took a selfie!

Obligatory selfie after landing!
(Photo credit: Sean Fisher, my co-pilot/passenger!)

I taxied us back over to the hangar, where I shut the engine down and conducted a quick post-flight. After disembarking, we put the Katana in the hangar and called it a successful flight.