DENVER—
Over the past few months, I've gotten the opportunity to get off the ground... testing my fear of heights and getting into machines I never thought I'd have the guts to fly. With the new year, I thought what a better way to kick off 2010's "Extreme Kellie" series with flying an airplane!I learned on a simulator at Tailwind Aviation at Centennial Airport. They paired me up with flight instructor Bruce Vogel who has 27,000 hours of flying under his belt... I knew I was in good hands! His crew gave me all the confidence that I could do this!!!
Once they got me familiar with the process, they put me in this. A twin engine Beechcraft... a great starter plane for a starter like me!
When Bruce said I'd be the pilot, he wasn't kidding! As difficult as I thought it would be, nothing could prepare me for getting in the pilots seat. Not only did I learn what all the gears do, but I learned how to talk to air traffic control, drive down a runway, take off, fly AND land... all on my own! Bruce literally gave me full control. What was he thinking?!?!
Once I got over my fears (and I could finally feel my legs again after we got off the ground) I couldn't stop smiling. The views were spectacular! The Rocky Mountains looks amazing with a fresh coating of snow...
Downtown Denver looked crystal clear... you just can't get a better view than this!
I went through a national company called "Let's Go Flying" who works with flight schools all across the country and their goal is to get you up in the air in no time! I found out that anyone can fly an airplane... all you need is a little time, some patience and a great flight instructor.
The video is attached below... Here's my photographer Noah. You wouldn't believe how scared he was!
