Alex's Discovery Flight

Alex was finally able to do the discovery flight that we got him for Christmas this past year.  We took him out to the Centennial Airport and hooked up with a pilot named Chris.  When we walked out to the landing strip, Alex's plane was being fueled.  The plane Alex was going to fly was a Cessna.  I couldn't believe how small it was when we stood next to it! 

Chris showed Alex the pre-flight check process and explained the instruments on the dash.  Once they were all set, the rest of us went back to the terminal and Alex, Jeff and Chris climbed into the plane and got ready for take-off.

 

 

We were under the impression that out of a couple hours, Alex would get to actually fly the plane for about 15 minutes.  That turned out to be way wrong... the pilot let Alex take off and fly the plane most of the time they were together!!!  While they were up in the air, they did a tour of Denver and the surrounding area.  They saw the Rockies and Broncos stadiums, downtown Denver, Red Rocks, a place where they used to launch missiles, etc.  At one point, the pilot asked Alex if he liked roller coasters.  Alex replied "Yeah, they're okay."  The pilot then took the plane for a dive and then back up.  Jeff was in the back of this tiny plane re-thinking his decision to come along on this experience with Alex.  (We'll just leave it at that.) 

 

 

Alex had a great time on the flight... it was a great experience.  Not many 13-year olds can say they have flown a plane!!!