Piper Warrior First Flight - ATC Audio with Gauges

My friend Preston invited me up to Nashua, New Hampshire for dinner after work. How could I resist taking him for a quick introductory flight? I hope that a beautiful sunset over the mountains gave the Colorado native an introduction to general aviation that he will never forget. I expect Preston will be flying with me again soon, as he made a excellent passenger, and already has a substantial aviation knowledgebase.
Hey, did you guys know that the FAA actually certifies flight instructors to tell you everything that I try to convey in these videos? You should definitely talk to one of them instead of trusting some video you found on the internet, because who am I to tell you how to fly? I'm just a pilot sharing my experiences with the world, and these videos are not meant to be instructional or advisory in any respect.
For a full explanation of this disclaimer, see: friendlyskiesfilm.com/episodes
Season 1, Episode 4
Homepage: www.friendlyskiesfilm.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/friendlyskiesfilm.com
Facebook: friendlyskiesfilm

[@SonSantana]

You deserve as many views as MrAviation101 has. It's really nice to see people putting time and effort not only to share the experience but also to edit the video so nicely. Amazing, bro

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+santgil Thank you so much! Being compared to Josh is the highest praise. That's the idea, though, for sure. There is so much great film of aviation out there, and just so little of it compiled in a compelling way. You can help share aviation too by posting links to great videos and joining ShareAviation.com, if you haven't already. No, they don't pay me to say that, the community of people is really just that great. Thanks again!

[@MichaelCarrPilot]

Friendly Skies Film much better than Josh's work. Same format with him. At least you have more of a production. I'd compare you more with Steve of FlightChops as far as production goes.

[@craig6603]

The light is actually every time something is interrogating the receiver

[@iliketheoutside]

Craig every time it transmits. 👍🏻

[@haroldclark9794]

I really enjoy your videos. As a pilot myself( I'm in Australia ) I find i always learn from watching other pilots.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

MORE AUSSIE PILOTS! Have you caught any of my videos where I talk about renting from Moorabbin outside Melbourne?

[@michaelasavino]

In the view of WPI I could see my home street, my grammar school (now a WPI annex) and Bancroft Hill (around where I delivered newspapers)!! Thanks for the video!

[@jd88x89]

Honestly, that is a great way of thinking about the turn coordinator. Never thought about it that way before.

[@timypaul]

Wow I'm working through my PPL and your video is such a great tool. I learned a bunch of stuff. Thanks man

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Thumbs up if you think Preston should get his Pilot's License!

[@warrenlee3703]

+DrCash7 I actually know a good friend from the Navy whom I met in Afghanistan...he was queer and was jets.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Haha That's actually funny. Yep, it takes all types to keep this much steel up in the air, and our community of pilots is a beautifully diverse one.

[@LeyenaZoey]

Well, did he do some?

[@christopherculvey3391]

Love your videos. I am praying that I can loose enough weight to go to flight school. Watching your videos has giving me an itch to fly.

[@drchoclate]

His enthusiasm was great. Reminds me of when I started long ago. I see a pilot in the making.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+john hart You're obviously not the only one that thinks so. I hope he'll find some free time in the next couple of years to take on the challenge.

[@johnjiii414]

Nice job. Love all your vids. I'm in the process of watching them all. Great job filming.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yay! Glad you're enjoying :)

[@safarieten]

Nice video. Reminds me of my first flight ever. 1973 Cessna 150, G-AVIB. That little plane is still flying today.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I'm not surprised! They are kept in incredible condition and were built so well.

[@gatorflight74]

I'm about a week away from my CFI and your doing an excellent job explaining everything. You should have no problem with the CFI ticket.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Erick Jackson Wow, that means a lot! Thanks so much. I've seen a couple of people go though the process, and I'll admit, it scares me more than a little. We'll just have to see where life takes me. You, on the other hand, good luck!! It must feel so great to say that you are not just knowledgeable about aviation, but you can actually profess it! Let us know how it goes, -Nick

[@r3poman671]

This channel deserves way more subscribers amd viewers than it gets, quality content!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Thanks so much, mate :)

[@jamesdeichmann9764]

I live in Nashua and I saw my house from this video. Keep up the good videos, you and MrAviation101 inspired me to start flying. My friend's mom is one of the ACT controllers and she talked to you in on of your other videos.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

No way! I'd love to get up there for a tower tour and meet her one of these days. I've spoken with her many times and waved goodbye as she's gotten in her car to head home for the night. Really great pair of controllers they have up there. So glad you enjoy the channel, btw :)

[@jamesdeichmann9764]

Friendly Skies Film yeah i meant to put ATC*^ not ACT i feel like an idiot

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

So, I've been getting a lot of requests about visiting a tower or talking to a controller recently. Do you think it would be possible for you to connect me with your friend's mom? If you're not that close, or it would be weird, don't worry about it. I'll work some other angle. Thanks, mate!

[@matthall8378]

I love flying. I only got flight sim x tho. I flew in a commercial airplane before but would love to fly a smaller plane! So cool! Keep posting! I love videos like these!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Matt Hall I will do my best to feed your aviation video appetites! Definitely go flying with a friend or at an airshow if you ever get the chance. I guarantee it could change your life. Introductory flights at flight schools are also an excellent chance to go flying, and they're usually very well priced. (A great gift for family members, if you know what I mean ;) )

[@GSOaviator]

He seems like he's got the bug! Great video, and love the end where you guys kept going on about how it's real! Good stuff dude!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

We'll see. Yeah, I definitely try to make flying sound as cinematic as possible, on the ground, and in the air. It keeps them coming back for more ;)

[@mkosmo]

Hey, just to let you know, when that ident light on the transponder lights up, that's it actually being interrogated and responding... So yes, that is it transmitting :-)

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Matthew Kosmoski Yeah! So I've heard. I've even got some really good explanations about this from my fellow pilot friends. The best demonstration of it that I can offer, is to watch this video, and compare it to another where I pass through class B airspace close to Boston, and you can clearly see how much more rapidly the light is blinking in the latter. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXqcqZ57q9Sonrs&lc=z125gddyltymddkts234gppj2nvjh1fqy04

[@wizbang68]

Love your videos, you give full explanations, and accept that nobody's perfect. If I were young enough I would get my pilots license.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

You're never too old :)

[@TraneFrancks]

Goodness, what a great video. Really makes me want to go up in a small craft such as a Warrior.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Best fun you'll ever have ;)

[@bigdaddybankvault]

another great video- i've watched so money they get interrupted by ads now lol

[@aviatortrevor]

@4:15 "You ever notice in an airliner, when you bank your glass of water stays in the same place... that's what that does." That's true that remaining perfectly coordinated means you won't experience any side-to-side movement, but passenger comfort is a secondary reason as to why we strive for coordination. The main reason we remain coordinated is for safety, since flying uncoordinated meets 1 of the 2 conditions necessary for a spin to occur (the other condition being a stall).

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

You're obviously not wrong, but which one is easier and more fun to explain to a passenger who knows nothing about airplanes? "It's all part of the show" ;)

[@vyperpilot]

The light on the transponder means it was interrogated and it is responding.

[@OsoGran]

I've been wanting to get my private pilots license and you have inspired me to go ahead and take the challenge on!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+MrMtackman I think that's the most powerful thing anyone has written to me thus far. I'm so glad that I could have that part in your life. Please keep me updated at [e-mail] I really want to hear about your adventures.

[@kenlynch6332]

Excellent flight tutorial

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Ken Lynch Thanks a bunch for the support!

[@zanetrotter]

great video mate keep posting please i love the Piper

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Zane Trotter Thanks, Zane! I'll have new content for you guys in the next couple of days, actually. This one's a big one: Hopefully the definitive preflight video on youtube. I'll let my girl know that she has another fan out there.

[@zanetrotter]

+Friendly Skies Film really appeciate the fast reply, i ended up watching it again lol i logged 33.5 hours in C152 at Camden Australia before stopping due to a fear i had regarding Tubulance but really want go back and finish any advice on that? i do love flying

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Weird coincidence... I just went for my first flight in Australian airspace last week out of Moorabbin. So different, yet similar enough to convert your license by mail. I'm hoping to take some friends flying along the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island before I head back to the states. I don't know exactly where your fear comes from specifically, but I'll tell you what I do to ensure passengers of the structural integrity of the aircraft before leaving the ground. I go over to a wingtip and manhandle the wing. They can take a heck of a beating with no problem. 33.5 hours is so close! You are almost there!

[@rogeraylstock3641]

Great video! How did you get the altimeter display (~11:19)? I've seen the Virb gauges but not not an exact altimeter. You also had the Garmin??

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

All done by hand in Adobe After Effects. Glad you enjoyed :)

[@rogeraylstock3641]

You got mad skilz!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

You're too kind ;) Maybe I did a few years ago, but I often fear it's been lost to time.

[@unclefreddy2009]

I know its an old video at this point, but how are you mounting the camera between your heads? I have an Archer and want to mount something there.

[@bobbeals2893]

I'm weighing in a little late, but a big thumbs up!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Thanks, bud ;)

[@davidholman6276]

I get to start flying a warrior soon

[@elijahgreenberg2634]

The differential steering means you can turn kind of like a tank. I think that's pretty cool. Say I were to come on a flight with you, is there a minimum age to have you give me the plane?

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Nope :)

[@640man]

Actually the light on the transponder is illuminated every time the rotating airport surveillance radar parabolic antenna passes through the transponder of the aircraft.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Jonathan Boes I've heard so many stories about this, I don't know what to think anymore. I think I should ask Bendix or a transponder manufacturer to clear this up for us. I have to say, though, your explanation comes the closest to what I thought.

[@groovy2677]

Nashua airport? That's really close to where I live.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Yep! Love that airport.

[@haroldclark9794]

The student didn't seem interested in what the instructor was saying just looking out the window filming

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I can confirm that he still remembers most of it to this day, but can you blame him for being a little excited about his first GA flight? ;)

[@CraftySmurf35]

How do you record the atc audio ?

[@richardbryanesq]

How come no sun shades or sunglasses? Seems like there was a lot of glare.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

I never wear them... I'm pretty much banking on them having figured out a quick fix to cataracts by the time I'm 50...

[@Raypatrick66]

Off what speed??!!

[@gveduccio]

are you a CFI? I am not yet but I explain things to friends and family that fly with me in a similar way...working towards it though

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Gary Veduccio Nope! I don't even consider myself a seasoned pilot yet! I know I'm going to have a plane at my disposal for three years, so in theory I'm building up enough time to make my CFI possible if I ever choose to get it.

[@gveduccio]

Friendly Skies Film You make an effort to explain things to people better than some instructors...I do the same so that people with me understand it is not magic and they feel like hmm I could do this some day

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Gary Veduccio I find the hardest part is changing your explanations to fit the person's technical knowledge each time. Preston in this video can handle "radar beacons," "gyroscopes," and "power settings," but he is a computer programmer at Dell. Sometimes I feel like my passengers would understand better if I simply told them it was magic...

[@apromero911]

+Friendly Skies Film your videos are well done and you definitely do a good job explaining things to your passengers! I have a couple of videos of my flights but I';ve only got around to editing one of them so far and its not nearly as well done. How do you capture your audio? I also have a request or minor critique if you will though, as good as a job you do explaining to your passengers what to expect, in some ways we are your passengers too but we dont have the benefit of the pre-flight "where are we going to go" briefing. It'd be great if you added a short part introducing your video (what you planned, how you deviated and why); I know some of the information (like how/why) can be found in the video description but sometimes it's tough to tell exactly what you planned for in the first place Your friend Preston was actually correct regarding the transponder. Just like the TX/RX lights on our radios, the transponder light flashes every time it is responding to an "interrogation request." There's a great article that talks about how the transponder and radar systems come together and why transponders have multiple "power" settings (particularly the common analog king model with its off/stby/on/alt/test positions); its something I found when going through my primary and can be found here: www.avweb.com/news/avionics/183231-1.html It's an interesting article and it seems pretty accurate but I havent cross checked it against modern regulations and having been published in 1998, it's 17 years old so things have likely changed some. I also dont know if the modes, particularly the Stby/Gnd mode, apply to the frequently seen Garmin 300-series transponders with digital display read out and push button squawk codes. Off/On/Alt would seem obvious but I dont know if the Garmin 300 needs the "warmup" period on Stby/Gnd that the King models did. Of course the Garmin does a fantastic job of detecting it needs to switch to Alt mode all on its own; I've intentionally taken off with it in the Stby/Gnd mode and it jumped to Alt before I was barely off the ground. As for the "magic" of flying... As an IT person myself, there is an old joke the source of which I have long since lost and have been unable to relocate about FM Technology. Somewhere, someplace at sometime there was a company that had a datacenter where no one really knew how all the systems worked and so they took to referring to it as Magic Technology. When things inevitably failed the sysads would complain about the F<expletive> Magic Technology but being a conservative work place, you couldnt just say an expletive so "FM Technology" was born and eventually it became a catchall for everything... Why are we having problems with the network? Must be the FM Technology must be acting up again. Why is the website suddenly so fast? Must be that FM technology. Eventually word got around to the Marketing and Sales team and doing as they do, they wanted to market FM Technology as the differentiator so they asked some engineers what FM Technology really was and how it could be used to help them capture new business... Imagine their surprise to learn what it really stood for

[@gveduccio]

I want to do a video of all the preflight stuff I do

[@dafydd47dr]

can you also ask for a stop, backtrack and go?

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Dafydd Rees You can ask the tower for almost anything, but barring there being closed taxiways, you would most likely exit the runway, then ask ground for taxi for take off on the same runway again. They won't think it's weird. I promise :P

[@dafydd47dr]

Haha ;)

[@JJVlogzz]

i am taking lessons in 2 years in Warrior. Jim Curtiss is his name

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Cool! Where abouts?

[@JJVlogzz]

Friendly Skies Film Abilene, Kansas

[@JJVlogzz]

Friendly Skies Film The Warrior is white with blue stripes reaching from the nose back to the tail and it goes up onto the rudder

[@shukrimohamed4881]

which flight school is this

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

no flight school. Can't pay for that kind of intro ;)

[@plsniper]

So did Preston get hooked? :)

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Lol nope. It's funny to see which ones have and haven't after a few years of doing this, though. So far I think I've gotten... 8/250 total who will definitely be getting their pilot's license soon. That's over double the ratio of pilots in the US, though! So I guess I'm doing something right! :)

[@plsniper]

LOL! You sure are! Keep up the great work. Love your vids.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Too kind ;)

[@hunterfagan6272]

I also fly a warrior at kash

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Oh cool. Owned, rented?

[@hunterfagan6272]

Friendly Skies Film rent

[@colinplanta7035]

Sorry to be commenting on a lot of your videos hope it doesn't bother you too much but I have a few questions. First is the rate that you descend when approaching your designation. What do you descend at? is it for example if your cruising at 30,000ft and start your descend at 1,500fpm how far out from the airport are you? just a little confused on how that works. Second is the downwind and crosswind turns when you takeoff and land and also the angle you enter you final at, if you could explain a little bit on how that works that would be awesome! Last is this your main job of teaching new pilots because It would be awesome if I could be with you. You seem like a very nice guy but unfortunately I live in near Baltimore so its way to far for a lesson so I signed up for a lesson/class at a local airport close to BWI airport. Keep up the great work!

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Not bothering me at all! I love answering great comments, and frankly, it's how I get my ideas for future videos! I would say that most pilots leave the exact time to begin their descent (T/D = Top of Descent) up to their instincts, kind of like deciding when to start braking your car when exiting the highway. There are rules of thumb that you can use, but they work better for faster aircraft, since the winds will have less effect. I personally use a little known tool in my Garmin 430W GPS. I program in the descent rate that I want (-800fpm is comfortable) and it notifies me when to begin my descent. Not 100% sure what you mean about the angle we enter final at, but the maximum bank angle that you are supposed to use while flying in the pattern is 30 degrees. I wish I did this full time... I just love flying with friends :)

[@colinplanta7035]

Very helpful and I will look back at this if I ever get confused again, thanks!!!

[@colinplanta7035]

I also had one more question. You seem pretty experienced when your flying like in this video, how long have you been flying for and how long did it take for you to get your license? just as a perspective for when I start pilots school.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Hahahah Thanks so much! This was my second flight after getting my license! XD I got it in 42hrs, which is pretty much the minimum after the actual exam. I had been flying since I was a kid, but not really in control until age 18.

[@colinplanta7035]

Wow, very helpful!

[@GeorgeCharlesAllen]

Every time the light flashes means an interrogation by radar.

[@Rocon390]

George Charles Allen why do you have two channels?

[@christianlongobardi5438]

you should collab with steve from flightchops

[@jamani1086]

i'd go to dinner with Preston too

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+jamani1086 Haha! I'll let him know ;)

[@jamani1086]

+Friendly Skies Film cool beans, thanks

[@jacobmccarthy8666]

I've done a right traffic pattern once, it's weird haha

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Haha yeah, can definitely be weird if you haven't done it in a while.

[@jacobmccarthy8666]

Yep, have you done any narrow runway landings?

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Oh yes. Not fun at all in a crosswind.

[@jacobmccarthy8666]

always fun when your airplane is much wider than the runway

[@Iverson8811]

You will be a good instructor if you do.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Aw, thanks mate ;)

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Uhhhh, not to be pedantic, but... At 5:29 or so you were talking to your friend about the VASI. You explained what it was, but said, "I can come in short of that. That just lets me know that I am really clear of all obstacles..." I might suggest a quick look at 91.129(e)(3). The feds kind of don't like you dropping below the glidepath without a good reason. Other than that, good video! Nice ride...but evenings like that are why we old pilots wear baseball caps and sunglasses and yet still have crows-foot wrinkles at our eyes. Remember, putting up a KZbin video about flying just invites snarky comments from smartass pilots like me ;)

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Oh I'm familiar with your type by now ;P 5 Million views and 10,000 comments later, you kind of get used to it. As one of my favorite regulars pointed out in another video recently 129(e)(3) says that this only applies in class D airspace to turbine powered aircraft. Piston aircraft are responsible to maintain above the GS until it is safe to descend and necessary for a safe landing. Since every instructor I've ever had taught me to "aim for the numbers" and "exit the runway as quickly as possible," I believe my interpretation to be acceptable (and all legal aspects aside, exactly what I've been told and shown by literally countless instructors) Remember, posting a comment will get you the same snarky pilot response right back! :D

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Whoa there, big snarky fella! Sorry to say, your interpretation of 91.129 is incorrect. A lot of pilots mistakenly believe that all of 91.129(e)(3) pertains to large or turbine airplanes. It does not. Your "favorite regular" is also wrong. I myself have made the same mistake. But I have seen the light, my brother! In reality, the entirety of "91.129 Operation in Class D Airspace" pertains to *all* aircraft. In fact, if you read (e), the heading says... "Minimum altitudes when operating at an airport in Class D airspace." Note: No mention of any particular type of aircraft. Then it goes on to specify a few things. Like many FAR's it is confusingly written because *some* sections of part (e) do apply to large and turbine powered aircraft. But not all. 91.129(e)(1) and (2) do apply to large and turbine powered airplanes because they say so. But Section (e)(3) is a stand-alone part, as it makes no such specification. If part (e) said, "Minimum altitudes for large and turbine-powered airplane at airports in Class D airspace" (or some such wording) I'd be right with you. But that's not how it's written, is it? The FAA is very particular and specific in their wording, and it sometimes takes a lawyer to figure out what they mean. You would not be the first pilot to make "the 91.129(e) mistake," obviously. And again, maybe I'm being pedantic. I appreciate your good-natured response. But like I said, when you put a video up on KZbin in front of God and everyone, you have to expect some, um, feedback. And the fact is, at a tower-controlled (Class D) airport, a pilot may not descend below a VASI in any type of airplane.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Like I said, totally used to my overly pedantic commenters :) It's how we all learn. Reading the actual text, and not relying on a quote, my only question is, when does "until a lower altitude is necessary for a safe landing" apply? In theory large runways with glidepaths are hopefully long enough as to not present danger to a small plane, but then again, "runway behind you, altitude above you..." When would it not behoove the pilot (and the efficiency of the airport) for the pilot not to land and exit as quickly as possible? I ask these questions out of pure curiosity, because I'm an engineer, and like exploring answers :)

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Good question! I guess it would come down to the FAA's definition of "necessary." If you come dragging in the last two miles below the VASI and the FAA might not think that's "necessary." But as with most everything in aviation, it's gotta be a judgment call. I think the point is that one cannot simply ignore the VASI at a tower-controlled airport merely because he or she wants to land and turn off early for the sake of convenience, or to "clear the runway more quickly." The Local controller is responsible for the spacing, not you. I don't know why the FAA made that rule and made it only apply to tower-controlled airports. No idea. But they did.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Right? It's really weird, especially buried in there with all that turbine stuff. It's also weird that you can ask to do a simulated engine out at a controlled field, where you will obviously not be paying a lick of attention to the GS. Thanks for pointing this one out. Super weird, actually.

[@joblessalex]

Kinda wish I had the cash to do this.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

Well, in this case, it take no money to bum a ride off a new pilot, but flying really isn't as expensive as everyone makes it out to be ;)

[@joblessalex]

It'd be more than $1000 and that's all I have aside to work with. Was thinking about just going to the local airport and asking random people for a ride, but I'm not so sure everyone would take kindly to it.

[@THEPIRITE]

Just found you a few hours ago and already love ur vids you should check out share aviation.com if u haven't already.

[@FriendlySkiesFilm]

+Andrew Kennedy You'll find all of my videos there and pictures of any other aviation fun that I have too! Thank god somebody else on youtube knows about shaveaviation! Thanks for commenting, and your kind words. See you over on shareaviation!

[@Raypatrick66]

Slow down talk please like your vids just having hard time understanding it cuts you off kind of it seems

[@michaelasavino]

In the view of WPI I could see my home street, my grammar school (now a WPI annex) and Bancroft Hill (around where I delivered newspapers)!! Thanks for the video!