“Greetings, Clouds!”
Flying through the mountains of Western North Carolina is a remarkable experience. The ever-changing terrain, dramatic ridgelines, beautiful lakes, and seemingly endless mountain ranges offer a perspective few people have the opportunity to experience. For those who have worked through the challenges, lessons, and accomplishments of becoming a pilot, the view from above is a wonderful reminder of why the journey is so worthwhile.
Recently, Greg and I had the opportunity to fly to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to spend time with our son and his family in their new home. There was something especially meaningful about watching the mountains pass beneath us, greeting the clouds along the way, and knowing that at the end of the flight, our granddaughter was waiting for us. What a gift it is to have aviation connect us not only to places, but to the people we love.
As the non-pilot co-pilot, I had several specific responsibilities in the cockpit to help Greg manage the flight. My “crew duties” included monitoring Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) and Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT), taking notes as I listening for our tail number and ATC instructions as we transitioned between controllers, keeping an eye on the Crew Alerting System (CAS) messages, scanning for traffic—even while operating on an IFR flight plan—and, of course, serving in the very important role of photographer and videographer!
Having these responsibilities gave me a greater appreciation for everything a pilot is managing throughout a flight. More importantly, I wasn't simply along for the ride—I felt like part of the crew. Having a role gave me a greater understanding of the airplane, increased my situational awareness, and allowed me to contribute in a meaningful way to a safe and successful journey.
That experience also reminded us that a non-pilot flying companion can be much more than a passenger. With a little education, communication, and practice, your non-pilot partner can become a valuable second set of eyes and ears in the cockpit while gaining greater confidence and enjoyment along the way.
Join Greg and me on September 24th as we share stories from our first flight to Chattanooga together and explore practical ways pilots and their non-pilot co-pilots can work as a team. We’ll talk about simple cockpit responsibilities, communication, situational awareness, and ways to make flying together more comfortable, engaging, and enjoyable.
Because sometimes the best part of flying isn't simply where aviation can take us—it's who we get to share the journey with.
Greetings, clouds. We’ll see you along the way!