Bravo, Mooney! You Rock-et

By Rose Rivera, Squadron 534

It is ten o’ clock on Saturday morning. But today’s Saturday plans are far from ordinary.

There are four of us who gather in the front room of the Sun Air Aviation building in Leesburg, Florida. We sit and do a pre-flight briefing. I listen carefully to Joel Hargis, as my pilot in command explains in detail our flight plans for the day. Flying from the Leesburg International Airport (KLEE), we take a west-east transition across the Orlando International Airport (KMCO) and its restricted Bravo airspace. This will be followed by a low pass over the space shuttle landing facility at the NASA Kennedy Space Center.

Joel carefully details to me the outlying Bravo airspace and the altitudes of each shelf in the air so we can tell exactly when we will be entering the airspace at our flight level of 3,000 feet. My role on this trip is to handle the radio work.

I am an aspiring student pilot who has just received Ray Scholarship funds through my local EAA Chapter 534. Bravo airspace is new ground for me, and it sounds intimidating. However, my pilot Joel and my fellow flight members Mike and Gretchen, also EAA Chapter 534 members, alleviate my concerns and encourage me to have fun. After all, that is one of the most important aspects of flying. Sunny skies and a hint of Florida fall air, tantalize us as we hop into the awaiting Mooney. A couple of radio calls to KLEE ground and tower, and we are off. Taking in the sights and getting ready for the adventure ahead, I examine the airspace layout on the navigation equipment. Bravo airspace is fast approaching. Joel makes the initial call, getting us cleared in and doing a special request for our special trip. But then, it is up to me. He helps me along the way to know what to say on the radio calls.

After being cleared into the area, things get busy fast. The controller contacts us with vectoring instructions. I respond with the appropriate vectors. Joel then helps me request a lower flight altitude to stay clear of the clouds. They accept, and we continue on our merry way.

A lot of traffic keeps things interesting for our little group. The tower gives us several calls about traffic on the left side, or one o’ clock on the right. I also learned the “right” way of responding to sighted traffic- “Tally ho!”

A little down the road (or air), we listen to the Titusville weather in preparation for a low pass over some special scenery. We request to begin our descent towards the destination. The Mooney Screaming Eagle with a 310-horsepower engine takes us, its passengers, ever closer to some very cool sites.

Just out in the distance, a little northeast lies the

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy. We can easily spot it before other sites because of its considerable height. Indicating the course we should take, the VAB leads us to the rocket garden and of course Tango Tango Sierra, the runway itself.

Talking on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), we prepare to do a low pass over the 15,000-foot- long runway. Another airplane is coming from the opposite direction with the same intention, so our group keeps a sharp eye out for him. Descending to just 150 feet, we roar over the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility.

I take in the sights. I feel privileged to be here at this moment. Out the window on the east side of the runway is the model space shuttle. I will not forget this day for a long time.

After taking in the sights, we head back towards Leesburg and home. Flying through Charlie airspace, and another restricted altitude, we pass the busy Sanford Airport on our right. After a quick reentry into Leesburg’s Delta airspace, the Mooney is lined up for a left downwind for runway 13, back in familiar air. After landing, we taxi back to the hangar.

“So, what did you think?” asked Joel.

“It was awesome,” I answered. What other response is appropriate for a first flight through Bravo airspace, sightseeing KMCO and KFSB, as well as a low pass over the Shuttle Landing Facility?

What a day! I did most of the radio calls through Bravo airspace. Although I had a lot of help hearing and responding to the calls, just the experience of having done it taught me so much. It gives me confidence to one day try it on my own.

I am so appreciative to have mentors like Joel and other members of EAA Chapter 534. It is such an encouragement to know someone has been in my shoes before and has succeeded. Not only did they succeed, but they are more than willing to help me succeed as well.

With the Ray Aviation funds I just received, I hope to complete my private pilot license requirements soon. I hope to become a medical missionary, flying supplies and people in Africa.

I know for a fact that flying would not be in my future were it not for EAA Chapter 534 with members like Joel, willing to advise, train, and cheer me on, or for the Mooney who flies us. Bravo, Mooney!