Perpetual Mid-Life Crisis

I've always said I try to live in a state of perpetual mid-life crisis. This means that I try to stay young; always see life as an exploration. I like to re-experience things. When I fly my Grumman AA5-B Tiger I often have a moment where I think, "Holy Shit, I'm flying an airplane!" The newness returns instantly.

I'm adding a new re-experience this weekend. Motorcycling. When I was a teenager I had a Honda CT70. Even though it was a non-exciting bike that newness was there. My CR80 was more fun but the CT70 memories are just as strong.

I'm getting my motorcycle license this week. Let the exploration begin.

Sunset Flying

Photo by Peter Hixon. (more photos)

Flying the Grumman

Last December I flew my Grumman Tiger to Half Moon Bay. I flew low and fast: 200ft off the water and about 130 MPH. It was awesome. The way back was pretty much just straight home.

It was my longest trip since flying the plane home last year.




View Larger Map

Flying My Plane Home

Back in April I bought myself a Grumman AA5-B Tiger.

After 22 hours, spending the night in a shack waiting out tornado warnings,and witnessing my first IFR flight through the clouds (Daylon Bakken at the wheel), I'm home.

Daylon is an amazing pilot. He flies in bad weather all the time for work. When we landed for the storms in Texas we had a 30+ knot direct crosswind(Very Crazy!) and no choice but to get down. He ran out of rudder and welanded on one wheel but it was a pretty smooth landing.

In Payson, az I met Daylon's family. His uncle is a guide for taking peopleon huts for Black Bears.

Flying Cloud, MN - Albion, NE - Goodland - KS - Gruver, TX (Stopped forTornado warning) - Amarillo, TX - Los Cruces, NM - Payson, AZ - PalmSprings, CA - Burbank, CA

http://picasaweb.google.com/McSteeds/FlyingMyPlaneHome

I love the plane. The avionics are amazing.


View Larger Map

Catalina by Air

This weekend I had a little flight to Catalina. My friend Dave (who also has a Grumman Tiger)and I met in the air over Dana Point and then flew to the island at 8500 feet. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures.

At the restaurant on the airport I had a Buffalo Hot Dog.

Here's a picture of my plane.