Lizzy McFly

What a joyous day!  The Aviation Expo in Hamilton was this weekend.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to fly in or drive, but the weather was decent enough for a flight.  My boyfriend and I headed to the St. Catharines airport around 8:15 this morning.  The flight was very smooth all the way to Hamilton.  There wasn’t too much other air traffic coming into the airport at that time, and we were cleared to land right away.  I contacted Ground after exiting the runway and I love what the controller said to me: “Taxi Charlie to Hotel, pass the Purolator aircraft and head over to the Marshallers behind the F18 jets.”  My little Cessna 150 looked like a little pathetic hairball next to the F18’s and the other aircraft on display.  It still felt pretty good to fly in to such a huge event.  Besides, you should have seen all the folks who drove that had to stand in the huge line up to buy their tickets. 

We met up with a bunch of guys from the RAA (Recreational Aircraft Association http://www.raa-niagara.ca/index.php ).  A group of us wandered around to all of the exhibits and vendors and checked out the amazing aircraft they had on display.  My goal is to purchase a newer aircraft in about five years.  Some of the new planes there were close to $500,000.  I think that’s a little out of my price range….maybe for my third plane purchase.  Anyway, something to think about!  I got some great pictures and will post them on my site soon.

Departing the airport was a little more intense than arriving.  There was quite a bit of traffic, including small planes leaving, some coming in and a 737 jet.  After my run-up, we received our taxiing instructions.  I decided to hold short of the West Jet 737 that was about to cross my path.  We taxied behind his big, wake-turbulance-ridden tail.  I really had to hold on to the controls to keep my dainty little plane steady.  My Cessna was nothing more than a little West Jet turd, while patiently waiting to head onto the other taxi-way.  We had to wait for about five other small aircraft to take off, plus a couple more arrivals and the departure of the 737.  Once cleared onto the runway then for take-off, we headed back to St. Catharines.  The ride back was really rough – 10 knots of wind, gusting 20 knots.  Visibility was ok, but nothing great. 

All in all it was an amazing day!  I’m looking forward to many more fly-ins and air shows later this Spring and during the Summer.

Today’s symptoms: I was feeling pretty darn good all morning and my energy didn’t really start to decline until early in the afternoon.  That’s when I decided that we should head back to St. Catharines.  I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in bed.  Well worth it though!