My first flying lesson On February 5th 2000 I had my first flying lesson which I got as a present from my parents for my 21st birthday (January 17th). I had the time of my life during that half hour, in which my friend, Rob Senden, and me went in a Cessna 172 operated by Rainbow Aviation from Eindhoven to Helmond and back. Most of the pictures were taken by my friend, Rob Senden. First I had to take a short theory lesson about the basic flying controls. Most things I already knew from books and documentaries on TV. Then we went to the aircraft for a short walk around and inspecting the aircraft. Next thing we took off from Eindhoven Airport flying towards Helmond where I got to take the controls and had to try and keep the aircraft in a straight line and later got to practice some turns. Before I knew it time was up, so we headed back to the airport, but not after having flown one round over my house. It was a fantastic experience! Here you see my instructor, Jeroen Waalboer, and me during the theorylesson prior to the flight. View in 800 x 630 My friend Rob and me posing in front of the Cessna 172. View in 800 x 630 Second picture of us. The white paper I'm holding is my ticket for the flight. View in 800 x 630 The instructor shows what you should check when inspecting the aircraft. View in 800 x 630 The instructor is going through the pre-startup checklist, while I was anxious to get airborne. View in 800 x 630 Second picture of it. View in 800 x 630 Eindhoven taken from above. In the center of the picture you see the Philips headquarters. View in 800 x 630 The PSV stadium from above. Also a part of the city-center of Eindhoven. View in 800 x 630 A picture of me watching the instructor flying the airplane taken from the back-seat. View in 800 x 630 The southern part of Helmond taken from above. View in 800 x 630 The moment I actually got to fly the plane and try to keep it straight, which I managed quite well. View in 800 x 630 The southern part of Nuenen with the A270 highway below. View in 800 x 630 Second picture of me flying the plane. View in 800 x 630 The instructor took a picture of me being very concentrated on flying the aircraft. View in 800 x 630 He told me to smile into the camere, because all he could see was the headset. View in 800 x 630 My neighbourhood from above. My house is the one that is marked in the red square. View in 800 x 630 The local sportclubs Racing-Tegenbosch, EVV and a few tenniscourts. In the distance you can see the swimming water of Aqua-Best. View in 800 x 630 The approach to runway 22 back at Eindhoven Airport. View in 800 x 630

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