Pilot Life: Taking My Friend, Daniel Flying!

Now that the plane was back in Albany, we can start flying consistently again. I can also start taking up friends again as well! And this morning, I got to do just that with my good friend of six years, Dan! After making the drive over to the hangar, I did my pre-flight and walk around before pulling the airplane out and hopping in.

Another flight with a first-time GA passenger in N5174E!

Engine started up no problem. I then synced my iPad and ForeFlight with the new transponder. Afterwards, I taxied us out the run-up pad by Runway 34 and proceeded with the engine run-ups and checks. Everything was in the green so we were ready to go. But first, we took a selfie:

Selfie before takeoff!
(Photo credit: Daniel Clark, my good friend!)

I taxied us onto Runway 34 and we got airborne. After getting above pattern altitude, I pointed us to the northwest and headed up to McMinnville; my passenger on his first-ever flight in a General Aviation airplane enjoyed the views all the way! After picking up McMinnville's weather via the AWOS frequency, I descended down to pattern altitude and entered the left downwind for Runway 22, which would end with a smooth touch-and-go landing. After getting airborne again, I took us up to 4,000 feet and plotted a course for Corvallis.

I decided to shoot the practice RNAV 17 approach in visual conditions. After a quick brief of the approach plate, I entered the approach into the Garmin GPS and proceeded with the approach, which went off without a hitch. The approach ended with another smooth touch-and-go landing. Once airborne, I took us back to Albany. I approached by making an extended left-base for Runway 34 and made another smooth, uneventful landing. I taxied back to the hangar, where I shut the engine down. After putting the airplane away, we went to get some lunch and called it fun outing!