First Xcountry Flight

Man that felt GOOD! Working with the map and visually looking for checkpoints was a real challenge. Just keeping the correct heading at times was at times was a little difficult. It was the first time I'd been outside the pattern in awhile. Our cross-country flight took us over Blue Swan airport where we caught 0-8-6 degrees and headed up the river toward Tri-Cities. It was interesting and fun to use the sectional and check to see where everything was. Landing at Tri-Cities was different. It was only 400 ft shorter than my home runway but it sure seemed like it was half the size. The width was definately smaller than at N27. Comin' down was easy, everything pretty much was easy aside from actually getting there. But that's the thing about aviation. There's always something new to learn. And just when you think you got everything down, another thing comes up and hits you the face. Also, aviation is all about keeping sharp on EVERYTHING you know and everything don't know...yet. That's partly why I love flying. The ever-present challenges. Everything is different and you always have to be on the lookout and be on alert in case something new comes up. In the words of Eddie Rickenbacker, "Courage is doing the things you're afraid to do. You cannot have courage if you're not scared."
Peace.