There's nothing quite like making laps around the Statue of Liberty at 150 miles per hour. Of course, I can't honestly say I felt the wind blowing through my hair, but at 1500 feet the experience is exhilarating enough.

As if flying feet away from the New York City skyline isn't your dream flight, try bringing along a passenger. Better yet, bringing a passenger who never even knew the world of general aviation existed. I think you get the point-- this is a really cool flight. Cool enough that I've flown the Hudson Corridor nine times, and have another flight scheduled for next week.

What flight am I talking about? How was I legally able to get so close to Manhattan high rises? And there must be special airspace keeping me away from the Statue Of Liberty? I'm just a private pilot, and made no special request. The hudson corridor is a pilot's best kept secret-- legal and fun. I fly out of KHPN, or Westchester Country Airport, which is some 20 miles North of New York City. After taking off, I put my nose on a direct course for the Hudson River, which runs North to South feeding into the Atlantic Ocean. Flying southbound, I visually follow the west side of the river and tell Air Traffic Control my intention-- to Lady Liberty and back. I'm given an altitude, and a bunch of traffic warnings, and that's it. New York City is mine...

It's not so simple though. To put it into perspective, it is probably one of the hardest challenges for a private pilot. But, if you know what you're flying into and therefore stay ahead of the plane, the trip becomes a once in a lifetime experience... until next time. Flying the corridor is a privilege, so I'll always plan meticulously before departing on the adventure. Being kind to Air Traffic Control and advising all requests early makes it less stressful for everybody. And, flying with an instructor or experienced pilot the first time is a must. There is no comparison to this flight, so make sure you be safe.

What is it about the corridor that makes it so special? For me, it's not just the challenge, or the breathtaking views, but it's being above everything. Flying is truly the only way to find the forth dimension of our world. Driving through the city, it seems like the traffic never stops and the buildings reach the clouds. It is claustrophobic-- you literally get choked up by shadows. But, being above the city that never sleeps is different; it's majestic to see what man can, and has, achieved. The grid my GPS shows when I need to get to 49th and Broadway opens up into reality. Times square is mobbed by ants, or tourist is their proper title. And the Statue of Liberty, the same Statue that represented America to all the immigrants who believed they were at a place where candy fell from the sky, still stands tall, and reminds me of the freedom I take all too granted every day.

There is more to flying New York City than just the mechanics and postcard pictures, there is emotion to this flight. This is what general aviation is all about; bringing the fun and experience back in travel. Except this flight is not about the destination, it's about the checkpoints getting there. Guess you'll just have to fly on down to understand what I'm talking about...

All pilots and prospective pilots remember the excitement of the first time they got to take the control of an airplane in flight. I recall my "Discovery Flight" when, passing through 1000 feet, the instructor sitting next to me said, "why don't you hold the stick and make a turn to the right." What a student does in this situation says so much about the pilot they will become, even if the whole moment happens subtly. I grabbed the stick with a tight grip, gave it a quick snap to the right, and put the plane in an instant 30 degree bank. Of course, as a novice, the Instructor gave me a, "Whoa there, no need for so much pressure on the control, try doing it gentle like this" as he demonstrated a boring slight bank angle. However, gentle was his style of flying. And not mine. When I am the pilot, I fly the way I want to fly, safely. I want to keep my blood pumping and make every moment exciting, as I'll have plenty of time to relax on the ground.

Whether you enjoy stomach-wrenching climbs or uneventful straight and level cruise, at some point you'll have to successfully master the art of maneuvering your bird. No generic syllabus will spell out exactly when you must learn how to make a "steep turn", but this  maneuver is required on your Private Pilot Practical Checkride. And if you have to learn how to roll over 45 degree's, maintain altitude, and look outside, why not have fun with it? I, like most pilots, had some motion sickness when flying the most unusual ways possible at first, but through resistance and repeated practice, I became the pilot I am today-- a maneuvering champion.

I don't feel it would do justice if I attempted to explain the various maneuvers students will have to learn for their checkride. That is what you pay your flight instructor for. However, it always helps to watch a fellow pilot and pick up a few tips, which is why I encourage that, whether a student or pro, you spend 15 minutes and watch the video I have uploaded below.

But first let me explain a few things:

1) I do 5 maneuvers in this order: 2 steep turns, a emergency decent, turn around a point, and S turns over a line. Before any maneuver I do a flow checklist and a set of clearing turns. The clearing turns are necessary, you must do these before any maneuver on your checkride. The checklist is smart. It might seem illogical at first to confirm doors are closed (the first item on my pre-maneuver flow), but getting into the rhythm and situating the cockpit will ensure you stay ahead of the plane every time.

2) I am not a perfect pilot. I'm not even an instructor, just a proficient private pilot. Don't copy what I do, learn from what I do. For various reasons I do a maneuver proficiency flight every few months. The single flight keeps my skills fresh, allows me to see where I am rusty, and means I won't need to stress when the annual proficiency flight required by my flight school for all renters sneaks onto my schedule. Look for things I do wrong; I can spot a number of slight failures on my part, like the fact that I spend too much time looking down at my avionics. Learn, we can all learn. If you take something away from this video, I have accomplished my goal.

3) Notice what I do and don't do. I thought through every action I took in this video during my pre-flight planning. Notice I don't practice any stalls.  When I practice stalls, I prefer to do it with another pilot, or instructor in my case. I still fly with an instructor once a month for proficiency.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXIuAKVjyaY&feature=g-crec-u

 Hope you enjoy the video. My advice: make the most of all your flying-- including your very first maneuver. If  it isn't your style, there is no need to fly gently on your checkride. You have margins of error that you must stay between for a checkride. Control the plane, stay ahead of the plane, and have fun with the maneuvers! Please check out my up-and-coming website and my various social media outlets.  I plan to do future google hangouts where I can answer you're questions live, so stay tuned. Cheers!

I’ll start by addressing the younger crowd. Get this, to begin flight training, there is no minimum age! To solo a single engine aircraft requires one to be 16 years old minimum.Then, at 17, one becomes an adult in the FAA’s eyes and is able to take a checkride and receive a pilot license. When we think of the younger generation, we tend to generalize this group to be fit and healthy. If this holds true, it will be no problem getting a third class medical certificate from an FAA registered doctor. It’s even said that those who are young learn faster and gain fluent muscle memory with a shorter amount of practice. If you can’t wait until you’re 16 to mark your first pilot in command solo flight, you can solo a glider at just 14! Doing anything alone at these young ages is a feat that deserves recognition, especially something many are so passionate about like flying an aircraft. If you’re old enough to comprehend this, you’re ready to learn how to land a plane. But, if one or ones parents disagree, home flight simulation on a computer is a lot of fun and believe it or not, it aids in learning the physics of flight.

 Many think they have missed the opportunity and are now too old to begin the lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. Again, the FAA has no restriction on age for private pilots. The problem many face is gaining a third class medical certificate. If one above the age of 40 receives this medical certificate, it only expires every second year. Most people are able to meet the requirements to get this medical and are able to go out and fly solo once endorsed. Fortunately, those who are not fit for a medical still have options! A valid driver’s license is all a student needs in order obtain a sport pilot license. A sport class license grants pilots access to the variety of Light Sport Aircraft, or LSA’s. This type of flying is just as enjoyable and allows pilots to take up one passenger.

Surprisingly, my story, which may sound unique among the public, is not particularly unexpected among the pilot community. My parents nor extended family never shared the passion for aviation that I do. I always loved looking out the window on commercial airliners and I have been flying RC planes since my seventh birthday. As I grew older I began to flight simulate at home on my computer with a joystick. When I turned 15, I researched on my own via the internet and found two flight schools at an airport 7 miles from my home. With my parents, I took tours of both flight schools and did discovery flights. My first lesson was scheduled just a few days after my 16^th birthday, as a present from my parents. Four months later I went on my first solo flight while still at age 16. I hadn’t even driven a car for the first time yet I was at the controls of a flight worthy machine alone. And now, at age 17, I am making final arrangements to take my check ride. I have learned valuable lessons through flight training, of which leadership and commitment are most prominent.

Although I am one of the youngest to be walking on the ramp at any airport, the aviation community is not built upon age. I recently flew with a friend of mine who owns a small single engine plane and has a private and instrument pilot license, and he just celebrated his 80^th birthday. We have a huge generation gap between us, but the love of aviation has brought us together as friends. And if one is truly too young or too old to fly, a dual flight with a certified instructor allows anyone to get in the left seat and view the world from the highest perspective. As you can see, age is not a factor many general aviation pilots face, but since we all get older each day; now is the right time to seize the opportunity and go flying!