I Finally Flew The Tunkhannock Viaduct!!!

I've been waiting over five years to make this post!
Over five years ago, when I was still dreaming of becoming a paramotor pilot, Tucker Gott posted a video called "Flying Under the Viaduct-INSANE flight!!!!", where himself and a group of pilots had an epic and fun flight around this marvel of a structure.
This would be the Tunkhannock Viaduct, also known as the Nicholson Bridge (Viaduct), that spans Tunkhannock creek in Nicholson, PA.
Even before learning how to fly, I knew this was a location I absolutely had to fly.
Over the years, I have made many great friends in the paramotor community, and by fate became close friends with pilots in Pennsylvania, including pilots that fly the Viaduct on a regular basis.
And since September of 2022, I have now made five trips to the area, but because of time or weather or other personal reasons, I was unsuccessful with any efforts attempting to fly the Viaduct.
But on my most recent trip back to PA, that dream finally became a reality, and I flew the Tunkhannock Viaduct!
My close friends in the area, Patrick Sekely and Steve English came out to assist and fly with me. We connected together via Bluetooth conference call, so we could communicate in the air. And they both waited until I launched before launching themselves, in case I needed assistance with anything. They were both as excited to see me fly the Viaduct as I was myself.
I failed my first attempt that evening, and we all actually thought I had accidentally cut one of my brake lines of my wing on my prop. But thankfully, Steve had an extra wing with him, his 24m Spyder, and allowed me to use his wing for the flight.
With emotions running high, I launched successfully with Steve's wing. Then soon after Steve and Pat joined me in the sky. I started heading in the direction of the Viaduct. When you first launch, you are unable to see it because it's located down in a valley, so you have to get high enough over the ridges and far enough, before the Viaduct comes into sight.
Looking off to the left, was a spectacular view of the sunset and scenery, to where I had to veer off course a bit, just to gaze at the breathtaking beauty of Pennsylvania. And the timing couldn't be better because it was the peak of the color changing leaves. The images and videos look great, but like everyone says, the GoPro just doesn't fully do that beauty justice, and needs to be seen with the naked eye.
But then it happened, I could begin to see the Viaduct. The sun was at the perfect angle, as it seemed to make the Viaduct glow. Approaching was truly an overwhelming emotional experience. I was finally here...flying the location I had been hoping to fly for over five years and having great friends with me to join in the experience.
This was an evening of many firsts. Not only was it my first time flying the Viaduct, Steve was also able to fulfill a first. Up until that time, Steve had never flown under the Viaduct. After Pat made a pass under, we heard him say over the comms, "You're up, Steve." And Steve decided, yes...it's time to fly under. And he did. And he was so stoked at his accomplishment he was cheering with excitement. In my GoPro footage, not connected to comms, you can hear Steve over the prop noise.
Being the first time ever flying the Viaduct, I decided not to attempt to fly under. But I did get pretty close, and it was truly epic watching and having Pat and Steve there with me. Next time flying the Viaduct though, I'm going under.
We all had an epic flight that evening, and it was time to start heading back to the airport. But as I said, it was a night of many firsts. As we were heading back, Pat brought up something that had totally slipped my mind, due to all the excitement of finally flying the Viaduct, and that was getting wing bumps. I had never received a wing bump before. And I had previously talked to Steve and Pat about getting my first ever wing bumps.
Oh man, I was nervous, but at the same time excited. I knew I could trust myself in flying a straight line while maintaining altitude. And I knew both were experienced enough to do wing bumps. First, Pat worked his way over and gave me a bump, then Steve came over on the other side and gave me a bump.
The grass was wet, so I slipped a little upon landing, but I don't have to feel bad because I wasn't the only one that didn't nail the landing. LOL
Thank you so much Pat and Steve, for assisting me and flying with me on this special bucket list flight!
I also need to give special mention to Michael Mixer, Cody Imber, and Sean Hartman. With less than a week away from leaving from Illinois to PA, I had an issue with my motor. And with only four days' notice before needing to pull out of my driveway, I was able to take my motor out to the school, and they all got my motor going again for me in time for me to leave on schedule and have my gear ready to fly. Thank you, guys!

[@TuckerGott]

Damn, the lighting on the viaduct was perfect!

[@sandorrendeczky8549]

When I was approaching and saw that lighting, it was so majestic it overwhelmed me on multiple levels and thoughts. Flying the Viaduct was even more of an epic experience than I imagined. What a marvel of a structure. It's been over five years since I saw you make that flight, and I finally flew it, man! Thank you, Tucker for showing me this epic location!

[@johndeere709]

Cool