Out and About: A birds eye view of the Pincher Creek area

Rolling down the runway at Pincher Creek Airport
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

At the invitation of local aviator Frank Wood I climbed up to the skies on Wednesday afternoon, August 21.

Pincher Creek Airport has had a lot of traffic lately  with water bombers using the runways for training sessions and chartered Jazz planes delivering a movie crew to our area for shooting of the upcoming film, Tomorrowland starring George Clooney and Hugh Laurie.

Frank Wood checking the oil

We went up in a Piper Tomahawk two seater on a beautiful clear and sunny afternoon.   Wood said before leaving that there was a significant crosswind and the ride may be a bit bumpy.

Wood went through a pre-flight checklist as he does before any flight.  Once we were situated in the cockpit he explained about the panel controls and safety precautions.  With our headphones on and clearance from the tower we were off into the sky.

The Tomahawk's control panel

We flew for about an hour in a range of 5,000 to 6,000 feet.  The landing was smooth and trouble free.

From above I was enthralled by the patchwork of the landscape.  There is artistry in the way some farmers have their crops laid out following the contours nature has provided.  There was beauty in the way water wound it's way through the panorama of my view and the mountains reached up into the sky.

It was a change in perspective that broadened my view for the day.  Sometimes you have to step back to see the bigger picture.  With the help of Wood on Wednesday, I got to step away from day to day life and leave my troubles on the ground.  It was a sensational experience.  Thank you Frank, for giving me a lift.