Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Sammy Flying!

This morning, I had the privilege of taking my friend Sammy flying in the Piper Cherokee. This may be the last time I fly out of Spanish Fork for a while because I've decided to pull up stakes and return home for a few months on an offering/opportunity from my uncle to go time-build and fly with him in his Cessna 172. But before I do leave, I needed to take Sammy out for a flight because we arranged this prior and I am a man of my word. Soon after arriving at the airport, we headed over to the plane and I did my pre-flight and walk-around. I then towed the airplane over to the fuel pumps and added fuel to both wing tanks.

Took up the Piper Cherokee (N7625F) for a nice local flight!

Once pre-flight preparation was complete, I helped Sammy into the plane and I got myself situated and got the engine started. After a good, clean start-up, I taxied us over to Runway 12, where I did the run-ups. After verifying that everything was in the green, we were ready to get airborne. But first, we took a selfie!

Obligatory selfie before takeoff!
(Photo credit: Sammy Graves, my lovely passenger!)

I taxied us onto Runway 12, began takeoff roll, and we were airborne. I climbed over and around the airport to get up to an altitude that would put us above Provo Airport's Class Delta airspace. Once at the desired cruise altitude, I took us north towards Provo and we flew over the city and passed by Y Mountain, allowing my passenger to get some pictures on her phone and getting view few get to see. I then turned us back to the north and invited Sammy to take the controls and get a taste of what it's like to fly an airplane; she gladly accepted!

Under my supervision and assistance, Sammy flew the airplane southbound away from Provo and then we turned towards Payson. After flying south for a little bit, I took the controls and began descending towards pattern altitude. I also turned us around back to the north over Santaquin and got in position to circle the Payson LDS Temple for Sammy to see. After circling the Temple, I decided it was time to head back to the airport. I flew us northbound and entered the left-downwind for Runway 12 after over-flying the field above pattern altitude and swinging back around.

I got the plane set up for and we made a gentle landing on Runway 12. After clearing the runway, I taxied us back to the ramp, where I shut the engine down and called it a successful flight. After helping Sammy off the plane, I towed the good ol' Cherokee back onto the tie-down spot I pulled it out of and secured it. Once post-flight was complete, we called it a good flight and we drove back to Provo so Sammy could get to her classes on time!

I am going to miss flying out of Spanish Fork...