Sweet Fifteen

I had the honor of working with this sweet family to help celebrate a very special fifteenth birthday!

Everybody deserves to commemorate such milestones <3

Location: Crane Cottage, Jekyll Island, GA

Flight Lessons #11, #12, and #13

Since my last post, I have accomplished my first ever cross-country flight to Waycross and back, reaching new altitudes of 5,500ft! In that lesson, I became more comfortable with working the trim, getting a bit of experience in changing radio frequencies, and being way more aggressive with the throttle.

In my most recent lesson, we worked on take-offs and landings at BQK and, thanks to a hectic morning and turbulence from the building storm off the coast (holy every day, late-afternoon storms!), I was a bit more nervous than some of my other lessons. Since this is something I want to accomplish for myself so badly, I definitely allow myself to overthink almost everything but I’m learning myself in these situations of inexperience and simultaneously getting more comfortable with the idea of flying a Cessna. Flying is teaching me much more about aviation, it’s teaching me about myself and I’m forced to remember to embrace every lesson with grace, tenderness, and to never to forget that I’m exactly where I need to be. I may have been extremely clumsy in my first attempts at take-offs and landings, but I’ve also proven to myself by now that I will eventually get there. In fact, there are sometimes already when I’m looking out of the plane and think to myself, “I can’t believe I’m flying this plane right now. Just a month ago, I didn’t feel like this.” It’s all coming together right under my nose and currently, everything just feels really big, but the improvement and progress is there, it’s happening!

I also finally treated myself to my very first aviation headset and cracked open the Cessna 172 manual, which has amazing information (so make sure that’s one of the first things you do, read the manual!).

All I can say is: everything still needs so, so much work, haha! But I’m super content with where I am and maintaining focus on the pride I have for myself for getting out there and doing what I love. There are so many reasons and excuses to postpone our passions, but not this season. The time is NOW!

If you’re currently in aviation or interested in aviation, some other tips I can share are:

1.) Make sure you are a good match with your flight instructor/school! I can confidently say I give my instructor a run for his money, but Alex has done an amazing job picking up on my strengths and weaknesses and pushing me harder or modifying our lessons, as needed. He’s learned I don’t take hints or “nudges” very well and I respond best to sternness and assertion. I’m also way too ginger on the throttle (STILL) and compare my flying style to that of an overly cautious 80-something-year-old grandma behind the wheel of a car so, now that I have some of the basics of flying down, I can work on my aggression in order to “fly the plane, not let the plane fly me.”

2.) Set goals for yourself. If you’re not ready for something or feel you need a bit more time on a maneuver, say so! I know I’m quickly creeping up on not being able to delay power-off stalls any longer; it’s just something I’m going to have to force myself to do and putting it off longer will only hold me back at this point. (But, hello, butterflies?!)

3.) Keep learning in your spare time! Don’t just wait until your lessons because you. will. forget.

4.) Fly as MUCH as possible! I always assumed that this was a marketing ploy, however, it’s true in almost any practice, whether it’s painting, yoga, riding a bike, or anything else! The more you do something, the better you will get at it faster. In aviation, the only reason that matters is the longer it takes you to learn it, the more money you will spend on it.

So to celebrate 15 official flight hours (!!!) use promo code “15!” for $50 off your next private session with me!

As always, thanks for following along and enjoy some photos from our ride near the Sapelo Island Lighthouse!

Flight Lesson #10

I normally wouldn’t make a post for such a short lesson, but my most recent flight was the greatest success I’ve had in the airplane to-date! Obtaining another 1.2 hours allowed me time to almost perfect steep turns and slow flight; at this point, I’d say I need a bit more work on slow flights but steep turns only need some fine-tuning.

As soon as I completed my first set of steep turns, I found myself shaking from pure adrenaline - the first time panic and anxiety didn’t come crashing over me! My instructor asked if I wanted to try them again or move onto another maneuver and my response was, “since I hate them so much, I’ll do them again.”

-And that perfectly describes my journey in aviation: I find myself constantly intimidated by being in the Cessna and crave putting my lessons off, I just refuse to cower from fear. The reward could not be better!

I intentionally didn’t bring my camera because I knew the lesson would be on the shorter side but enjoy this clip from my new favorite app, Flight Aware.

As always, as a thank you for following along, use “SUCCESS10” for 15% off your next family session with me!

Parker and Anna Secret Driftwood Beach Proposal

A few weeks ago, Parker contacted me with an exciting plan: to orchestrate a secret beach proposal for his girlfriend, Anna, complete with drone footage to capture the magic. He chose Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA and, together, we planned every detail meticulously. I would arrive early with champagne and chutes and mark the perfect spot with a brightly- colored ribbon. As the sun set, Parker led her to the marked spot, knelt down on one knee, and popped the big question! (She said “yes!”) The drone captured the entire moment from above, framing their love against the vast expanse of sand, driftwood, and sea.

Both the drone footage and photos turned out beautifully, preserving their raw emotion and the stunning beach setting. Helping create this unforgettable experience was incredibly rewarding, and the video/photos now serves as a timeless reminder of their love and the beginning of their journey together.

Enjoy this perfect moment below!

Flight Lesson #9

Yesterday, I gained another 1.7 hours in my flight logbook!

I’ve advanced to solo pre-flights and s-turns. We reviewed steep turns, slow flight, and I’m becoming more aware of my subconscious actions and taking care to correct them (like leaning into my instructor at turns, instead of maintaining my visual line of sight). At least if I don’t catch these behaviors until after the fact, I’m acknowledging them aloud as a way to remember to not do them.

I especially need work on trim, pitch, and working with the rudder; there really is no way around learning these steps rather than to just do them. I’m slowly accepting the fact that I will continue to fail and mess up and that’s just how most people learn and it’s more than okay. (Perhaps I should incorporate a positive affirmation before my lessons, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”)

Last night, I drowned myself in videos on steep turns, slow flight, landings, and stalls. Per my instructor’s advice, I also dabbled in some spin videos. At the end of the day, spins is what I fear the most and avoid at all costs, which is why I think I’m so scared of steep turns. I’m still building my proprioception within the aircraft but it definitely helped with the idea of the dreaded maneuvers: stalls.

There are many things to learn and even more to remember but forcing myself to get back up and do it again is keeping me the most grounded right now.

I also learned about a very cool app called “Flight Aware” and was able to track our entire flight! I’ve watched it many times in an effort to study my ability to maintain altitude, my flight pattern, and the new s-turns. If you’re familiar with flight maneuvers, my instructor demonstrates the first set of steep turns and first set of s-turns and the subsequent ones are mine. Of course, I’m not quite ready for take-offs and landings just yet so those are him as well.

Here are some of my favorite photos from my view yesterday!

As a “thanks” for reading, use “CESSNA172” for 20% off your next commercial photoshoot. This code expires at the publication of my next post.

Have a happy weekend, friends!

Flight Lesson #8

As I mentioned in my previous post, before yesterday’s lesson, I had only accumulated and logged 5.6 flight hours.

The below is a summary of what I’ve needed so far, as well as an overview of my 8th official lesson (an additional 1.7 hours to my pilot logbook!)!

Recommended items for brand new students:

1. Pilot logbook

2. Owner’s manual of the aircraft you will be training in (mine is a Cessna 172)

3. Visualized Flight Maneuvers Manual

4. Private Pilot Blueprint (a quick and easy read full of amazing information!)

5. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge - this may be a requirement of whatever ground school you choose to attend, however, I will be using this to follow along before, during, and after my flight lessons!

6. A notebook to jot down notes

7. Your new student packet, which your flight school will provide to you and help you complete

8. A small bookbag to keep your resources in. You can even take these with you on your flight!

Since I’d already obtained my commercial drone pilot’s license, I’d already created all the necessary accounts through the FAA. This process can be a little tricky and confusing so I recommend getting as much help as required so you know you’re doing it right! In order to officially become a student pilot, you will eventually need to get your Medical License and I recommend doing this sooner rather than later to ensure you have no hidden medical conditions that will prevent you from obtaining your PPL. (Could you imagine spending all that money in flight lessons just to learn you won’t qualify for your PPL?!) I have yet to obtain mine but calling to set up an appointment is number one on my to-do list! And, at 7.3 hours, I’m okay with that investment I’ve made so far :)

Eventually, I will need to attend Ground School and pass my written test to prove I am well-versed in the art of aviation.

My final step will be my check ride, where a member the FAA will accompany me on a flight and test me on my skills and the maneuvers that I’ve learned to ensure I’ve mastered them safely and efficiently.

The minimum number of flight hours is 40, 30 of which are accompanied by a Certified Flight Instructor and 10 of those, solo. I will be expected to join my instructor on a night flight and a cross-country flight (anything greater than 50 nautical miles outside the departure airport). Realistically, I’m expecting more like 60-70 hours to prove my competency and skills since I am scheduling flights around my busy schedule, and that’s okay. A dream is a dream, no matter how long it takes you!

Everybody learns at a completely different pace and style so I will share what has been the best way for me to learn so far!

My instructor, Alex, has set me up for success by sending me easy-to-follow YouTube videos prior to my lessons with him. My brain works in very technical ways so I found myself overwhelmed when I attempted to execute a few maneuvers and I wasn’t 100% clear on what was happening with the plane while I was utilizing the instruments. (In fact, I cannot just stop at knowing “turning this button does this thing,” I have to dissect the exact mechanisms of action of what is happening and why.) Backing off from any further attempts until I comprehended the instruments fully (and to a microscopic level) was the best thing I did for myself! One of my favorite videos my instructor sent me was this thorough walk-through video of exactly how a Cessna 172 works.

My previous lesson was spent on the ground due to weather but Alex took the time to pull out the textbooks and explain some configurations he had planned for that day: slow flight and the power off stall. In these lessons, we reviewed clean v. dirty configurations (flaps up or down), primary and secondary flight controls, and the stall recovery (PARE = power idle, ailerons neutral, rudder - opposite, and elevator - forward). We also went over some vital key terms that set a foundation to understanding any maneuver I will master in the future!

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Yesterday’s lesson, however, was more insightful in ways I doubt I will be able to fully explain here…

On the agenda was: slow flight and stall maneuvers.

There is so much to learn with aviation, and I take not one piece of knowledge for granted. In fact, I learned more about myself and aviation yesterday than ever before.

The lesson was a bit tough on me, emotionally, but it was also a repeat of a previous lesson I’d taken, whereas I requested a break in the lesson and a subsequent unplanned landing. As a perfectionist, I took my request to land very hard, as I felt like a failure and that I had disappointed my instructor. (I knew neither of those are true but, in those moments, it feels like they are.) Yesterday’s challenges and the obstacles I faced in that previous lesson had commonalities: the maneuvers were similar, and I experienced major internal blocks that prevented me from proceeding.

In deep evaluation I learned some very powerful things about myself: I take my passions very seriously but am quick to distrust myself. I could not trust that I could execute these maneuvers safely and to standards. This epiphany was a giant step in overcoming my mental blocks. But I was also able to decipher how to identify my hard “no’s” and when/where to push myself a little harder. While I committed to the entire 1.7 hours in the air, I drew my line at stalls. With an extremely linear mind, I was able to recognize that I will need to perfect one maneuver at a time, which will allow me to grow intimate with the “me” who is flying an aircraft. Good habits and lots of repetition both contribute to a memory of muscle that I’ve discovered over time becomes very difficult to break/change once they’re set. I “think” with my body and learn through my failures; it’s about building proprioception to my environment and it’s almost like I have to allow myself to “bump into walls” in order to discover where they truly are and that (obviously) scares me in terms of aviation. Once actions are perfected, I can then build upon them. Honestly, at times, this feels like a disability - and, in the very least, is a very hard reality - but it is my truth and one I must respect.

One of the most validating things about yesterday’s lesson was the support I received from my instructor. His constant communication, honest feedback, encouragement, and recognizing my limitations deepened my respect and trust for him. My passions are intertwined in my DNA and are at the very infrastructure of my personality so I approach my investments with great care; the support I receive across the board during my “lows” will always mean more to me than I can say and inspire me to push back harder every time.

One of my goals is to remain completely transparent in my personal experiences but I also want to recognize the rewards in overcoming such challenges. At the end of the day, I gained 1.7 additional hours of knowledge. What I was able to accomplish was steep turns, slow flight, and trim. All three need much more work but the more I do them, the more comfortable I will get. Did I want to do steep turns? No, because I didn’t trust myself and, even that stopped me from completing them to my fullest potential. But I still did them. And I will continue to do them until I am steep-turning my butt off until I can no longer stand it.

Areas of focus include getting more comfortable with the flight instruments and watching YouTube videos. Easy, right?

I may look into potential simulators because the body movement and muscle memory is something I could safely work on from home but, at this time, I don’t even know if that’s a real thing. (If not, will somebody make one?)

And, as promised, as a “thank you” for following along, refer a friend who books with me and use “HOLYMOLY48” to get 50% off a mini session with me! This code expires at the publication of my next post.

Finally, please don’t forget to book your discovery flight with High Tide Aviation on St. Simons if you think aviation may be an interest of yours or if you just want to see Coastal Georgia via an aerial tour! I promise, you will never forget it <3

-A flawless (but turbulant) landing, executed by my instructor, Alex!

Flight School

Everybody has a dream, that much I do know. Perhaps it’s a “calling,” but, if you’re like me, you call them your “bucket list items.” One of mine is becoming a private pilot.

While studying for my commercial drone pilot’s license, I realized how much I still needed to be in the air. See, two years ago, I ended my career as a flight nurse in a Bell 206 helicopter and had officially “drank the Kool-Aid.” I couldn’t accept my flight career was over.

I’d never been in a Cessna 172 but last September, we booked our seven-year-old a flight tour with High Tide Aviation and, admittedly, it was much different (and a little scarier) than being in a helicopter but it wasn’t enough to dissuade me; I knew aggressively pursuing my fears would teach me all I needed to know to overcome them. My approach to life is such that, the more something scares me, the more I force myself to learn about it. (Now, I embrace the feeling of being in a Cessna.)

On December 29, 2023, I booked my very first discovery flight with High Tide on SSI.

Months later, I still only have 5.6 logged flight hours and 2 ground hours; truthfully, I am painfully aware of pursuing such dreams while maintaining a full-time career and being a full-time mom. With lack of flexible childcare and a busy schedule, I had to take a few months off but am now officially back in the air! My goal is to have my PPL by the end of the year but I’m being very gracious with myself; life happens and everything occurs in perfect timing!

As I approach another hour of flight, I have decided to share my journey for three reasons:

1. To artfully capture my encounters with the sky as an expression of my love and gratitude for it

2. To offer special promotions through these posts to my photography services as a “thank you” for following along

3. To educate anybody who may be interested in pursuing a journey in aviation for themselves

What you can expect in these posts:

1. Beautiful imagery of my sessions

2. Educational pieces, tips, tricks, and other resources to aviation that are shared with me by my amazing instructor, Alex

3. Discount codes buried within the post. These codes will not only save you money on my sessions, but the sessions you book with me will help fund my dream of becoming a private pilot.

Use “FLYHIGH32” for 20% off your next hour-long session with me and be sure to keep checking in regularly for more posts! (This code expires at the publication of my next post.)

Alex and Janae Secret Proposal

This past week, I was honored to return to the beautiful Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA, to capture a secret proposal.

I worked with Alex, along with his and his future-wife-to-be’s family, to surprise sweet Janae with a beach proposal.

Not only did she suspect nothing of the engagement, she had no idea her family had distantly joined them on their Coastal GA vacation to execute this perfect surprise.

I began with casual photos a short distance away from the cozy set-up their families had created while they tucked themselves away behind some driftwood. We then proceeded to “the” spot where Alex got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Needless to say, Janae was speechless!

Following the initial shock, the families revealed themselves for the second surprise! And, of course, no secret proposal would be complete without some staged photos <3

Enjoy!

New Tocal Launch in Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach

Tocal recently launched in the Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach area and we couldn’t be more excited. Not only was it well-received, our audience is growing in ways I could have only imagined. Here are some of my personal favorite ads I helped bring to life for a few of our friends in our Florida region. Celebrate with us, celebrate with me, and read the full e-edition here.

Want to work with me and be in the next issue? Click here.