Raymond's first flight!

Windchill · August 13th, 2005, 17:12

Wednesday evening we took Raymond for his first flight. My night currency was nearing due so we knocked out two birds with one stone.

He was a little fussy when we strapped him in the backseat, and mom sat back there with him. Once I got the engine started, he fell asleep. He didn't wake up again until we shut down a little over an hour later.

Amy said he only sucked on his pacifier about 50% of the time we were climbing and descending. Amy kept pleading for him to suck his pacifier to help clear his ears, but he never fussed or screamed during the flight or afterwards ... so perhaps we have a natural-born flier with us.

Bandit_Driver · August 14th, 2005, 12:07

buy him a logbook now and so he start building flight time (LOL).

Glad all is well

Trybysky · October 6th, 2005, 17:52

I'm envious! We have a baby boy coming in late january...can't wait!

Windchill · February 14th, 2006, 15:09

At what age did you allow your child to sit up front with you on your lap to look at the panel, etc?

Not planning to allow Raymond to sit up front yet ... just curiosity killing the cat.

USMCmech · February 15th, 2006, 09:46

I've taken Clint flying in a C-152 for his first flight.

One thing to think about, I heard a story about a guy who took his 2 yr old kid flying in the front seat. Durring the flare the kid thought it would be fun to push foward on the yoke with his feet. Not good!

Windchill · February 15th, 2006, 10:30

How many times have you taken Clint up?

Raymond's logged about 3.5 hours (1.5x-cty--interesting story), all in a 172SP. I've been wanting to take him up in the Warrior I fly through a club, but his mother wants to wait for it to get warmer outside.

I've just been curious as to when others have made the transition to the front seat ... when the backseat options exists

I could see Raymond trying to kick the yoke while I'm flying ... that would not be good.

farmerbrown · February 15th, 2006, 12:40

I just did my oldest boy's (4 years old) first flight in the front seat. I was scared to death of him hitting the controls at a poor time. We had a discussion about him never touching them without me saying okay. At altitude I let him take the controls and move them around. He loved it. I just made sure his seat was back so that he really had to lean forward to touch the yoke. We had no problems with several touch and go landings.
On a side note, it was the first time I took both boys without my wife. They thought that was the most special thing in the world. It is great to watch their excitement, before, during and after the flight. Great way to spend an hour with the kids.

rickyrhodesii · February 15th, 2006, 23:09

Hey...I'm so glad you posted this. I've wanted to take my little girl up for awhile but i've yet to met anyone who's taken a small child up. My main concern is what kind of restraint (car seat?) did you use. She's two years old, and as far as i can tell, the car seat we have is "FAA approved" or approved for airplances. I can't remember the exact phrase. And, are there any FARs governing small children in airplanes?

Thanks!

USMCmech · February 16th, 2006, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyrhodesii

are there any FARs governing small children in airplanes?

Not really besides useing a car seat for the kids. Other than that they are under the general classification of "passenger". The FARs actually permit carrying kids under 2 in your lap as a passenger, but NEVER will my son ride as a lap baby. Babies can become projectiles very easily. My wife worked a car accident where the baby was in a carrier which was not properly fastened to the car. It went through the winshield and slid 50 ft. The Baby was fine, the adults in the care were far worse.

Other than the car seat thing, just make a few short local flights at first. The kids will probably view it as nothing more than a noisy car ride. On any longer flights, flights in IMC, or busy airspace take another adult to deal with the kids while you concentrate on flying.

I just bought my son a headset, haven't tried it out yet so we will see how that goes. I have used foam earplugs that I cut inhalf lengthwise and put into his ears, he pulled them out before takeoff.

JarheadFAC · February 21st, 2006, 01:30

Reading about you guys taking your kids up brought back great memories of my Dad taking me up. Hope I get to do it with my kids (daughter is 6 and boy on way.)