Blog

The forecast for August 17th called for another blistering summer Tennessee day, so I decided to get an early start and take advantage of the "cooler" morning temperatures for some flying. Some days, flying isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It's about the pure joy of being airborne and seeing the world from a perspective few people ever experience.

Watch the Adventure

Want to see this flight for yourself? Check out my YouTube video of this flight below and experience the journey yourself!

YouTube Video - Music City from Above

The Mission

The plan was straightforward: depart John Tune Airport (KJWN), head west to Dickson Airport (M02), and practice an approach with the autopilot, then hit another airport for landing practice, and finish with a scenic tour over downtown Nashville, just over an hour of flying to stay current and enjoy some beautiful scenery.

Approach Work at Dickson

The first stop was Dickson. It is a quick flight, and getting set up for the RNAV 17 approach is quick and easy. Without a safety pilot, I cannot count this approach toward my IFR currency. However, it is still valuable practice to set up for the approach, review the procedure, and configure the avionics to fly the approach. There's something satisfying about methodically working through approach procedures.

Landing Practice at Centerville

Since another plane was working the pattern at Dickson, I decided to head over to Centerville (KGHM) and practice another approach and landing.

Downtown Nashville

The scenic tour over downtown Nashville was the perfect way to cap off this practice session. Still, I had to navigate the airspace properly first. Flying around Nashville's downtown area requires coordination with air traffic control, as it's within Nashville International Airport's (BNA) Class C airspace. Therefore, I contacted Nashville Approach to request to fly downtown for aerial photography and video. Once approved and established in the airspace, Nashville Approach handed me off to Nashville Control Tower at BNA, who continued to provide traffic separation while I circled the city.

As you approach downtown, there's something magical about the skyline rising up and the Cumberland River winding through the city. Flying around the downtown area never gets old. You can spot all the iconic landmarks, including the Batman Building (AT&T Building), Nissan Stadium (old and new under construction), Bridgestone Arena, and the bustling Broadway district. The contrast between the urban setting below and the peaceful sky above creates this perfect moment of perspective that only pilots get to experience.

Return to Tune

With the downtown tour complete, it was time to head home. I contacted BNA Tower to inform them that I had finished my aerial tour and was ready to return to John Tune Airport. The controller acknowledged and instructed me to squawk VFR and contact John Tune Tower for landing instructions. A smooth handoff that's always appreciated after working in busy Class C airspace.

I contacted Tune Tower and told them I was leaving downtown and would be crossing midfield. Tower told me to report midfield downwind for runway 2. I crossed John Tune midfield at 3,000 feet, then executed a 180-degree turn to enter the downwind for runway 2. The pattern was quiet, and John Tune Tower cleared me for landing on runway 2. After an hour of flying that combined skill-building with sightseeing, touching down back at home base felt like the perfect conclusion to the flight. It was also already very hot, so I was glad to be back on the ground and ready to return to the air conditioning of my car.

Final Thoughts

Flying on hot Tennessee mornings isn't always the most comfortable. Still, the best flying experiences sometimes come from simple missions like this, staying VFR current, building skills, and enjoying the incredible views. Even though the instrument approaches didn't officially count toward currency, every practice session with the approach plates and autopilot is good practice.

Let's go flying!

Equipment & Software Used

• 2005 Cirrus SR22 G2
• GoPro Hero 13 & 10
• DJI Neo
• DJI Mic Mini
• Flying Eyes with Clip-On
• Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset & iPhone App to record audio
• Foreflight
• iPad Pro 11" - screen recording
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Adobe Audition
• Adobe Photoshop

Why Now? Why Here?

As an instrument-rated pilot with 30 years of software engineering experience, I've discovered that my greatest joy comes from sharing the magic of flight with others. My journey to the left seat started with a discovery flight in July 2014, one of those life-changing moments where you realize you've found something you never knew you were missing. My first official lesson followed that October, and by January 2015, I was making my first solo flight (still gives me chills thinking about it). Life and work had other plans, though, and it wasn't until December 2015 that I finally passed my private pilot checkride. Every pilot knows that feeling - the mixture of relief, pride, and the immediate urge to plan your next flight.

Since then, I've had the privilege of sharing my love of general aviation with friends, family, and anyone willing to listen to stories about the magic of flight. There's something incredible about watching someone's face light up during their first small aircraft flight, or helping a fellow pilot work through a challenging concept during training.

Yet despite having a front-row seat to these incredible experiences, I've been silent. The voice in my head kept asking: "Who are you to share insights about aviation? There are so many others more qualified, more experienced, more credible."

But here's what I've learned: expertise isn't about being the most qualified person in the room. It's about sharing your unique perspective, your journey, and your passion with others who might benefit from it. Every pilot has a story. Every person passionate about flight has something valuable to contribute.

After years of battling imposter syndrome (and let's be honest, it's still sitting in my passenger seat whispering doubt), I'm finally launching this blog, my drone services, consulting services, YouTube channel, and other social media platforms.

Oshkosh: Among My People

In 2016, I walked through the gates of EAA AirVenture for the first time. The smell of avgas and jet fuel, the thunderous roar of warbirds and modern fighters overhead, the high rpm scream and smoke from aerobatic airplanes during the daily airshows, and the infectious energy of 600,000+ aviation enthusiasts converging on a small Wisconsin town, it was overwhelming in the best possible way. I knew then that I had found my people.

I just returned from this year's Oshkosh. But this time, I didn't just attend as a wide-eyed aviation enthusiast. I went as someone who's finally ready to share their story, their passion, and their expertise with the world. Something about being back at aviation's greatest gathering, surrounded by dreamers, builders, pilots, and innovators, gave me the final push I needed to overcome years of hesitation.

What to Expect from AWEROK

This blog will be where I share my love affair with aviation, the joy of flight, and my passion for technology. You'll find posts about:

• Sharing the magic of flight - Stories from taking friends and family on their first flights, $100 hamburger adventures, and discovering hidden gems from the air
• Personal journey - The challenges and triumphs of being a pilot, the lessons learned along the way, and the people who've made the journey memorable
• Aviation experiences - Flight training insights, memorable flights, and the pure joy of seeing the world from above
• Technology insights - With 30 years in software engineering, I'll share thoughts on technology trends, innovations, and how modern tools are changing aviation and beyond
• Drone services and perspectives - Exploring aerial photography and the unique viewpoints that unmanned flight can provide
• Community stories - Celebrating the incredible people who make up the aviation community

Runup Complete

So here we are, engines running, clearance received, and runway ahead. This blog represents years of hesitation finally overcome by excitement about what's possible when you share your passion for flight with others. AWEROK (short for Awesome Rockin') pretty much sums up how I feel about aviation, technology, and this new adventure. I'm thrilled to have you along for the journey.

Whether you're a seasoned pilot with countless hours in your logbook, someone dreaming of earning their wings, or just fascinated by the magic of flight, welcome aboard. I'm excited to share this journey with you and hear your own aviation stories along the way.

Let's go flying!

A Personal Note

If you're reading this and you've been sitting on the sidelines of something you're passionate about because of imposter syndrome, consider this your permission to start. You don't need to be the world's leading expert to have something valuable to share. You just need to be genuine, helpful, and willing to learn alongside your audience.

The aviation community has always been generous with knowledge sharing. From the CFI who patiently explains crosswind landings for the hundredth time to the A&P mechanic who shares troubleshooting wisdom, we grow stronger by lifting each other up. I hope AWEROK can be a small part of that tradition.

YouTube - Cleared for Takeoff: Launching AWEROK - Finally Ready to Share