Jeffrey Donenfeld

Tag: cessna

  • Private Pilot

    Private Pilot

    I got my private pilots license (PPL) flying a Cessna 172S. I primarily trained with Aspen Flying Club at Centennial Airport (KAPA), in addition to a number of training flights originating from Western Air Flight Academy at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport KBJC. My solo cross country training flights were from Centennial KAPA down to Pueblo KPUB then onto LaJunta KLHX and back to Centennial KAPA. I also completed night VFR flights from Centennial KAPA up to Fort Collins KFNL. Also, lots of laps between Centennial KAPA and The Colorado Air and Space Port KCFO.

    Training in the Denver Metro area was certainly interesting. I gained a good amount of experience flying in congested and convoluted airspace, handling the unique mountain and plains weather patterns we have, as well as well as navigating around our many military and other restricted areas.

    Interested in learning to fly? Happy to talk to you about my personal experience with flight training any time!

  • Flying the Cessna 172

    Flying the Cessna 172

    On June 27th, I rented and flew a Cessna 172 for the first time. Starting in the mid-afternoon, I took the train from NYC out to Farmingdale, NY to the Nassau Flyers offices, located at the Farmingdale Republic AIrport, and has their own hangar. I initally came out to the airport for a lesson on the Aviat Husky, but got there a little early, so decided to fly the Cessna first, and then the Husky.

    The Cessna 172 is the most popular light aircraft in history, and is a pleasure to fly. After taxiing onto the runway with my flight instructor in the co-pilots seat (i was in the pilots seat, hehe..), we gunned the engine and made a quick takeoff, climbing to around 2500 feet. Our flight out to the south shore of Long Island and in the surrounding area was fun and relaxing, and I flew the plane unassisted most of the time. Really the only times I gave over controls to my instructor were so I could grab my camera and take some pictures.

    Landing was fairly straightforward, and after getting into the flight pattern and letting a jet pass us, we made a smooth landing back at the airport. I racked up 1.2 hours of flight time, which I’ll be putting toward my required time for my pilots license!

    Overal a great experience!

    Photos on Flickr

    Related: Flying the Robinson R22 Helicopter