Learning the science about how speed will generate lift when the air splits around an airfoil allows for some peace of mind when flying an airplane for the first time. Before taking off the runway, instructor and Owner of DuBois Aviation, Lou DuBois, instructed photographer Josh Gutierrez and contest winner Angie Valenzuela in a quick lesson on the mechanics of flying. Both presented with an opportunity to fly an aircraft for the first time, Gutierrez steps up to the plate. He stated it felt as though he was cramming for a test. “The test ultimately is how well you can keep everyone alive.”
Suddenly the engine starts, its roar starts to get louder and louder and you’ve begun your adventure to 30,000 feet. Hands clammy and lunch about to make a reappearance everything starts to change when the horizon shifts. Small aircraft flight is both liberating and terrifying all at the same time. Gradually, the awe kicks aside the fear and your surroundings become mesmerizing. A full 360 degrees view leaves very little to the imagination and opens up a whole new world of majesty and amazement that somehow seems unimaginable in a commercial flight.
Admittedly, flying truly just sounds terrifying. Thousands of feet in the air in a little metal death trap with three sorry saps who agreed to ride the teeny little tin can into the next life. On the contrary, Gutierrez and Valenzuela both agreed that this flight was an incredible way to overcome fears they both shared about heights and flying. And would definitely recommend it to anyone else looking for adventure.
