Giving Rides in Aiken

While I was in South Carolina, I took the opportunity to give rides to coworkers as often as possible. I told of one who went to a couple of fly-ins with me and is now beginning his flight training. Well, another showed an interest in flying so I arranged for him and his family (wife and two children) to meet me at the Aiken airport one day to go flying.

Aiken Municipal Airport

It was a great day for giving rides. Not windy. Not bumpy. I couldn't have hoped for a better day. The family met me at the FBO, excited and ready to go. As the kids were a bit small to go by themselves, the idea is that the older one (a boy) would go with mom and the younger one (a girl) would go with dad. I took mom up first with the boy and he was extremely enthusiastic. He had a grand time talking (and singing) into the headset. He spent a large amount of time with his face pressed up against the windows watching the world go by below. I think we have a future pilot here!

After I landed, dad got in but the little girl didn't want to go. In all honesty, she is probably a bit on the young side anyway (2ish). I promised to take her for a flight when she gets a little older. As mom was pulling his crying sister out of the airplane, the boy was already climbing back in, ready to go again. I told dad that was fine, and off we went. He had a grand time. We flew over his house and his dad was pointing out all the landmarks to him. Now his dad just has to get a plane to learn to fly in and then when he is old enough (in about 10 years) he can start learning too!

There are a lot of pine trees in the area (that are farmed).
Aiken is also famous for horses, and there are many nice farms such as this one.

There are also lots of peach orchards such as these behind a school. I was told
by a local guy that South Carolina now produces more peaches than Georgia.

As for the Aiken airport, the people that work there are fantastic! It doesn't matter if you are flying an Aeronca or a business jet. They are extremely courteous to everyone. Every time I landed they ran out there to usher me into a spot (even though I had just been there) and chock the plane for me. The FBO is beautiful with a very nice sitting area inside, and rocking chairs on a porch overlooking the airport. There is a pilot lounge, flight planning area, and another large area with couches and a TV. It is really a great place to hang out! If you're in the area, stop by for a visit!

Rocking chairs on the porch - a great place to hangout