Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Julia Flying!

Once again, I had the privilege of taking someone flying on their first ever flight in a General Aviation aircraft. This afternoon, I took up my friend, Julia. After doing the pre-flight inspections, I hopped in the airplane, got the engine started, and taxied over to the fuel pumps to top off the tanks while I waited for my passenger, who would meet me at the airport, to arrive.

Another first-time GA passenger in N5174E!

After refueling was complete, I towed the airplane over to a parking spot with the tow bar and hung out at the FBO while I waited for my passenger to arrive, which didn't take long! I escorted Julia over to the plane, gave her a passenger briefing, and helped her get settled in before hopping in myself. Once again, I got the engine started and taxied to the run-up pad by Runway 34 to do the engine run-ups. Everything looked good, so we were ready to go. But first, we took a selfie, as usual!

Selfie before taking off! Jeez, my hair looks horrible!
(Photo credit: Julia Hasbrouck, my lovely passenger!)

I got us airborne off Runway 34 and made a straight-out departure northbound. The plan was to cruise up to Portland and enjoy the view of the valley on a beautiful October day. Needless to say, Julia enjoyed the flight and the view! I picked up VFR Flight Following from Seattle Center, who eventually handed us off to Portland Approach. I set up to do a practice approach into Hillsboro via the RNAV 31L, but once I was handed off to the tower controller, I got instructed to enter a right-downwind for Runway 2, which inevitably forced me to break off my final approach for 31L; reason being is the winds. I entered the right downwind and was cleared for touch-and-go. I made my turn to final approach and made a smooth landing. I got back in the air and tower instructed me to extend my upwind leg, to which I complied. I was then instructed to depart to the south via the right downwind leg and I did so without hesitation; Hillsboro was busier than I can recall today!

We departed south and decided to head back to Albany VFR via McMinnville and Independence. The west side of the valley was much quieter too, making this part of the flight a lot less stressful for me! We got back to Albany at a good time because it looked like the winds have picked up (Corvallis was reporting gusting conditions). I landed the plane and taxied it to the fuel pumps to top off the tanks once again. I then taxied the plane over to the hangar where we put it away for the weekend. I then drove Julia over to her car, where we parted ways and called it a fun outing!