Route: MGY-40I-MGY
Weather: Clear, 47 degrees, wind calm
Last night's fun flight to Dayton International resulted in the flip side of flying and renting from Stewart - the airplane was still at Wright Brothers. No runway lights means no night landings. Since I live just a couple minutes from MGY, I told Jamie I could fly the plane back this morning. So I got there around 7:30, preflighted the 172, warmed up the oil, and turned onto Runway 20 just as the sun started rising into the sky.
Turning onto Runway 20 for takeoff
Watching the sun rise above the horizon on this beautiful morning
Now, I'm not much of a morning person. Never have been, never will be. Accordingly, I rarely fly in the early morning hours. This might have actually been the first time I've ever flown at sunrise, to be honest. My logbook doesn't appear to dispute that statement.
But that doesn't mean it's not a spectacular time to fly. The air was smooth and the warm orange glow of the sun rising over the farms and valley fog was downright beautiful. I don't know that I'll ever be a frequent morning flyer but it was absolutely worth getting up early this morning!
Morning fog in the Little Miami River Valley
Passing over the valley on downwind for Runway 26
Red Stewart Airfield in the early morning sunlight
The logistics at hand were a bit convoluted. I landed at Stewart and picked Jamie up. Sidenote here that there's simply nothing like landing on grass in the morning, kicking up a spray of dew as the wheels roll over the turf. Certainly one of the pleasures of flying. Anyway, I stopped and let Jamie climb on board - then took back off on Runway 26.
Flying down the Little Miami River Valley
Given the perfect weather and views, I decided to take the scenic route down the valley back to Wright Brothers. Jamie and I both snapped a few photos as I flew south, then I turned northwest back towards MGY, making a pass at Stewart since we were flying directly overhead anyway. I landed back on Runway 20 and hopped out of the plane on the ramp; Jamie flew the plane back to Stewart so he could start his day of flight instructing.
Not a bad morning. Not bad at all.
Flight Track: Google Earth KMZ File
Today's Flight: 0.5 hours
Total Time: 292.5 hours
Nice morning flight! I myself like to get out early, it's quiet, feels good and the only thing that beats a great sunrise is a perfect sunset.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful sight from the air, no doubt. Still think I'll be the guy seeing far more sunsets, however... ;-)
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