Tiger Time

When babies are little, parents are encouraged to give them "tummy time" to help them strengthen important muscles. After passing my private exam on Thursday, Greg offered to take me flying before our weekly Tuesday club meeting in the plane we will be co-sharing (once I get checked out) for a little "Tiger time." It was a beautiful evening for a flight.

We weren't able to get away from the office as early as we'd hoped, so rather than my favorite run out over Harper's Ferry, we decided to stay in the pattern. Still, with the setting sun over Sugarloaf Mountain, Greg did not hear any complaints from his co-pilot.

It was my first time in the front seat of the Tiger, and it simply reaffirmed what I already knew. It's a beautiful plane, and the views from the cockpit are incredible. It's also quiet and handles well. I am excited at the thought of getting to know the Tiger inside out and backwards, so that it becomes less a machine and more an extension of self.

Fortunately, with my uber-mentor for a flying partner, I don't think that's going to be a problem. :)

After tying down the Tiger, we high-tailed it over to the picnic tables where the gents were already gathered, so Rich could proudly announce to the Club that he would be able to sleep in more often as I no longer needed flying lessons twice a week at 5:00 a.m. After a round of congratulations, a group of us headed over to Gentleman Jim's for a celebratory drink on the newest pilot in the Club.

It was a great feeling to be the Rookie instead of the Student.