My pilot's license has changed the way that I do business. I am able to get to places faster, easier and more convenient than ever before. It truly has given me my own person time machine.
For those people out there that don't want to get a pilot's license, but need this same utility, we have formed a new company called SkyCab Express. SkyCab will offer Air Taxi services to people that need the ability to get to and from one of 250 regional airports in the Southwest. To find out more, visit SkyCabExpress.com.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Below Sea Level
It is just something that you shouldn't be able to do. I couldn't even explain quite what it means to my kids, but I landed below sea level today. After searching around for a new place to go, I ran across Furnace Creek, CA, which is in the heart of Death Valley. Cactus Aviation recently had a fly-in there, but I was unable to attend. So, I decided to take two of my kids there, Natali and Noah, for a short trip.
It is pretty much a direct shot from Henderson (HND) to Furnace Creek (L06). When I took off, though, from Henderson there was skydiving in progress over Jean (0L7) airport, so ATC vectored me to the east before allowing me to continue on course. The trip offered alot of interesting scenery to look at, including Mount Potosi, Sandy Valley and Pahrump. The most spectacular thing, though was to come over the mountain ridges and descend quickly down into Death Valley. 
From the ground it is really hard to take in how dramatic the changes are in that area. The Panamint Range boarders on the west side of Death Valley, and the peak is 11,049ft and Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the US at 14,505ft. Death Valley's lowest point is -282ft, and has a record temperature of 134 degrees F. All of this becomes visible as you crest over the eastern ridges and start a rapid decent. I had to drop down relatively quick to get down from 8,500ft in the valley. The runway was in very good condition and the airport was really quiet. The most suprising thing, though, was how fast a shuttle came out to get us to take us into town. I called on my phone and within 5 minutes we were picked up and off into the Ranch. My kids enjoyed walking around the general store and eating some treats before we had to head back. 
From the ground it is really hard to take in how dramatic the changes are in that area. The Panamint Range boarders on the west side of Death Valley, and the peak is 11,049ft and Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the US at 14,505ft. Death Valley's lowest point is -282ft, and has a record temperature of 134 degrees F. All of this becomes visible as you crest over the eastern ridges and start a rapid decent. I had to drop down relatively quick to get down from 8,500ft in the valley. The runway was in very good condition and the airport was really quiet. The most suprising thing, though, was how fast a shuttle came out to get us to take us into town. I called on my phone and within 5 minutes we were picked up and off into the Ranch. My kids enjoyed walking around the general store and eating some treats before we had to head back. 
I would recommend this trip out to Furnace Creek to anyone (as long as they go before summer). It was just around a 1hr flight and well worth every second of it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Looking for suggestions
Where have you flown near Las Vegas that is exciting? I am looking for new places to explore that are within 1.5hrs flight of Las Vegas. Please let me know of your experiences there.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Big Bear
For months now, I have wanted to go to Big Bear, CA. Many people have told me that it is wonderful, beautiful, has a great restaurant and cheap fuel. I have felt uncomfortable because the airport is at almost 7,000 feet and it is surrounded by mountains. Lower powered airplanes don't climb that fast at that altitude, so it can get a little hairy getting out of there, especially when it is warm.
I hadn't been flying for a few weeks, mostly because my wife gave birth to our fourth child at the end of January. I had some time this morning and the weather was perfect for a flight. I decided to take my son, Noah, and go to Big Bear. The only worry was the amount of snow that they received recently. The weather briefer told me there was a 6' berm around the airport. She was right! The accumulated snow around the runways from the plowing was higher than my plane at some spots. It was also really cold. When we got there it was around 32F, but it was sunny and clear.
Noah and I enjoyed a nice brunch at Barnstormers, a cafe at the airport. I would recommend the restaurant for any flier looking for a good on-field place to grab a $100 hamburger (or omelet). Noah got to through a few snowballs, which we don't get to do very often in Las Vegas.
Overall, it was a great trip, at just under 1.5hrs each way, it is a great destination for fliers from Las Vegas or Southern Cal.
I hadn't been flying for a few weeks, mostly because my wife gave birth to our fourth child at the end of January. I had some time this morning and the weather was perfect for a flight. I decided to take my son, Noah, and go to Big Bear. The only worry was the amount of snow that they received recently. The weather briefer told me there was a 6' berm around the airport. She was right! The accumulated snow around the runways from the plowing was higher than my plane at some spots. It was also really cold. When we got there it was around 32F, but it was sunny and clear.
Noah and I enjoyed a nice brunch at Barnstormers, a cafe at the airport. I would recommend the restaurant for any flier looking for a good on-field place to grab a $100 hamburger (or omelet). Noah got to through a few snowballs, which we don't get to do very often in Las Vegas.
Overall, it was a great trip, at just under 1.5hrs each way, it is a great destination for fliers from Las Vegas or Southern Cal.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Aviation Nation and Birthday Flight
November 14th was an exciting day for our family. We decided, as we have the last few years, to attend Aviation Nation. It is a great military airshow that is put on every year at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. We got out there early, but still had to wait awhile to be transported onto the base. The static displays were excellent, showing off alot of surveillance planes used to protect us as a country. I also really enjoyed the war re-enactments. We sat down and watched an re-enactment form the Korean war. What always strikes me each year is that US airman are able to fly planes that they fought against years ago in these re-enactments. I couldn't image what that would feel like to be a war veteran and fly a plane that I fought
against 40-50 years earlier. Whatever it may be, it is exciting to watch as a civilian.After the show, we decided to carry on my new tradition and give my daughter a ride in my plane for her birthday. Katie turned 3 on the 14th and has not been up flying before. We were honestly a little nervous because she can get emotional. Ruth also gets nervous, but she decided to go with us. The flight went really well and Katie really enjoyed it. We just went for a quick trip out to Jean and went back to Henderson. My wife was grateful it was short, but I think deep down, she enjoys flying (at least I want to believe that).
Friday, October 30, 2009
Annual Inspection and Aircraft Movement
I cannot believe that it has been a year since I purchased this airplane. It has been a wonderful year. The joy and freedom of flying is more incredible than I could have ever imagined. It has also brought my family together in many ways, and gives me and my kids a way to bond. I am grateful for the opportunity to have my pilot's license!
A few things have changed recently. I brought in a partner, Ben Tippets, into the business. He has been flying helicopters for over 4,000 hours and decided to get some fixed wing experience. Since he found it easier to take his family traveling in the Cherokee than a $2 million helicopter, he decided to partner up with me and use the airplane for business and pleasure. He will have his fixed wing CFI, CFII and commercial licenses, along with an ATP license for rotary, so he will also be able to train others in the Cherokee.
Additionally, we have made the decision to transition the airplane to Cactus Aviation. Cactus is also based out of Henderson Executive and they have offices in the main terminal. Feel free to drop into their offices anytime. The Cherokee fits really well into their flight line of several other Piper airplanes. It makes for a great IFR platform and is great for those weekend family get-a-ways. It will rent for $119 wet. Visit www.cactuslv.com for more information.
Finally, it is in for its annual inspection. We have a great mechanical giving it an extremely thorough review, fixing some squawks, and making sure it is still one of the best training, business and recreational airplanes in Las Vegas!
A few things have changed recently. I brought in a partner, Ben Tippets, into the business. He has been flying helicopters for over 4,000 hours and decided to get some fixed wing experience. Since he found it easier to take his family traveling in the Cherokee than a $2 million helicopter, he decided to partner up with me and use the airplane for business and pleasure. He will have his fixed wing CFI, CFII and commercial licenses, along with an ATP license for rotary, so he will also be able to train others in the Cherokee.
Additionally, we have made the decision to transition the airplane to Cactus Aviation. Cactus is also based out of Henderson Executive and they have offices in the main terminal. Feel free to drop into their offices anytime. The Cherokee fits really well into their flight line of several other Piper airplanes. It makes for a great IFR platform and is great for those weekend family get-a-ways. It will rent for $119 wet. Visit www.cactuslv.com for more information.
Finally, it is in for its annual inspection. We have a great mechanical giving it an extremely thorough review, fixing some squawks, and making sure it is still one of the best training, business and recreational airplanes in Las Vegas!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Flying for business
One of the primary reasons for getting my pilot's license was to be able to fly for work. I have a lot of clients in California and Utah. My hope was to be able to shorten my trips by flying rather than driving or going commercial.
This last week I was able to take my first trip to visit a client. My client's office is in San Diego, CA. The trip driving would have taken about 5 hours and commercial airlines would have taken about 3.5 hours considering security and travel from the airport. I was able to complete the trip in about 2.5 hours including driving time to a from the airport. It was also alot simpler because I was able to carry all my tools that I needed on the plane rather than checking them into security.
I took off from HND (Henderson, NV) at 2:00pm on Thursday. It was rather hot outside, but the plane performed really well even with the high density altitude. I opened up my flight plan and got flight following by the time I reached Jean, NV. I got my money's worth from the ride with all the thermals going over the mountainous desert terrain through the NV and CA deserts. It was an amazing change, though, when I went through the Palm Springs/Palm Desert Area. What a beautiful part of California that I have never seen before. It was quite a sight. I landed at RNM (Ramona,CA) at 4pm and my client picked me up and we went right to work.
The next morning, I departed at 8am and landed at HND at 10am. It was a nice flight coming into Vegas in the morning. The air was very smooth and the desert looked amazing in the morning sunlight. I got back with a huge smile on my face.
This last week I was able to take my first trip to visit a client. My client's office is in San Diego, CA. The trip driving would have taken about 5 hours and commercial airlines would have taken about 3.5 hours considering security and travel from the airport. I was able to complete the trip in about 2.5 hours including driving time to a from the airport. It was also alot simpler because I was able to carry all my tools that I needed on the plane rather than checking them into security.
I took off from HND (Henderson, NV) at 2:00pm on Thursday. It was rather hot outside, but the plane performed really well even with the high density altitude. I opened up my flight plan and got flight following by the time I reached Jean, NV. I got my money's worth from the ride with all the thermals going over the mountainous desert terrain through the NV and CA deserts. It was an amazing change, though, when I went through the Palm Springs/Palm Desert Area. What a beautiful part of California that I have never seen before. It was quite a sight. I landed at RNM (Ramona,CA) at 4pm and my client picked me up and we went right to work.
The next morning, I departed at 8am and landed at HND at 10am. It was a nice flight coming into Vegas in the morning. The air was very smooth and the desert looked amazing in the morning sunlight. I got back with a huge smile on my face.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Air Taxi Service
One of the most exciting this about having a pilot's license is the ability to fly to smaller airports, closer to a final destination. Large airlines don't and can't fly to smaller cities like St. George, UT, Lake Havasu, AZ, Kingman, AZ, Victorville, CA, Palmdale, CA, etc. This leaves a under served market for people to get to their final destinations. Additionally, it is much faster and more convient to fly closer to a final destination than to go to a large commercial airport and still have to drive 1-2 hours to get to the final destination.
There are plenty of jet services that will take you to those locations for a couple of thousand dollars, but for the middle-class, that is unaffordable. In many parts of the country, there are air taxi services. I have not found an air-taxi service here in Las Vegas that specializes in transportation and not scenic flights. My question is whether or not there is a market for air taxi in small general aviation planes. Please comment and let me know what you think.
There are plenty of jet services that will take you to those locations for a couple of thousand dollars, but for the middle-class, that is unaffordable. In many parts of the country, there are air taxi services. I have not found an air-taxi service here in Las Vegas that specializes in transportation and not scenic flights. My question is whether or not there is a market for air taxi in small general aviation planes. Please comment and let me know what you think.
Friday, May 15, 2009
$49 Introductory Ride
Do you want to experience the excitement of flying? Through a special arrangement with Monarch Sky, we are offering $49 introductory flights. This is a great gift for Father's Day or any other special occasion for someone that has always wanted to fly. Go flying with a license instructor and get the thrill that still gets my heart racing every time I get into this airplane!
If you would like more information, please contact me @ nathan@flyboysnevada.com or call Monarch Sky @ 702-631-0386.
If you would like more information, please contact me @ nathan@flyboysnevada.com or call Monarch Sky @ 702-631-0386.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Beyond Training
It has now been over two months since I received my pilot's license and I am enjoying every minute of it. One of the things that I enjoy doing most is offering the opportunity to friends and family to experience the excitement of flying that I have. I took my daughter, Natali, up for her birthday and she had a blast. I have taken several friends, including one that is joining the Air Force. I have also explored new airports and look forward to finding new and interesting places to go.Although I really enjoy my time flying, I can't say that my wife, Ruth, likes to fly with me. The first time that we went up, she held onto the seat for her life the whole time -- and it was just one time around the traffic pattern. The second time we went up, I hoped that she would enjoy it more. We ventured a little further out, towards Boulder City, but to no avail. Maybe someday, maybe after we get a larger plane, she will enjoy it more.
As for now, though, I love the freedom of flying and the pleasure of saying "I am a pilot!"
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