4.29.2008

Flying

The smallest airplane I have ever flown on is a one hundred passenger plane-that is until last Friday ....

We had a field trip to the airport with our church homeschool group.  We have a dad who is a pilot - he and his wife arranged a field trip where we could learn about airplanes and tour a jet, life flight, and a prop plane.  As our field trip was winding down, the husband and wife who planned the field trip convinced our tour guide to take our kids on an airplane ride.

As this discussion was taking place, my heart was going pitter patter. The thought of putting my children on a six passenger plane was putting me in a slight panic. As the other parents were cheering with excitement, I was trying to act excited and hide my fear.

When I looked at my kids jumping up and down cheering, their faces filled with excitement I knew my fears could not/would not hold them back from this experience.
  
Morgan went up in the first group. As she and three of her friends walked towards the plane, they were holding hands and bouncing with excitement and a bit of anxiousness.  When they returned, there were plenty of squeals and little girl giggles as they told of their flight.    

Landon was going up in the second group and there was room for parents on this flight.  I was in a bit of an internal dilemma.  You see I do not like to fly, I fly only out of necessity but I was also a bit intrigued by the idea of seeing our city from the air.  

It was hard to pass up an opportunity to take a FREE flight and share this experience with my kids so I decided to be brave and go for it.

It was amazing!  The view from the air was spectacular.  My emotions ranged from anxiety and nervousness to excitement and wonder.  Landon was in awe the entire time. He just looked out the window with his eyes wide open taking it all in. 

I am so thankful for the generosity of our tour guide to give our children this opportunity. It is something they are still talking about days later and something none of us will ever forget!

landon playing pilot in a jet
morgan's turn in the pilot seat
the single prop plane we took on our airplane ride
view from the plane
capital/downtown boise from the plane

7 comments:

Leah said...

Oh, how fun!! I'm glad you didn't let your fears get in the way. =)

Jenni S. said...

I'd be right there with you since I have a pretty big fear of heights. I don't mind flying so much when we are up int he clouds, but if I can see land I get a little nervous. Good for you, though, for sharing that experience with your kids!

Short Stop said...

Oh, Jack and Max would have been SO excited for this, too. What a great experience. And, how cool that you captured these wonderful photos!

Rachel Slagle said...

wow! you're brave :) i love to fly but i've never been on a small plane - i have however been in a helicopter. what a fun experience for your kids.

Denise said...

awesome field trip!
we went on amtrak today for our field trip, but i'd much rather fly!

Lynn said...

Fun!!!

Anonymous said...

How fun and exciting! That was an AWESOME opportunity! Note to self---now you can read Keith Greene's book No Compromise.

I still get nervous flying---big plane or small. I've been flying since I was a baby too.