TERROR IN THE COCKPIT... Stung by a Wasp...

[@The12b212]

Ran into Nico today, and man what a good dude! 100% real guy and deserves all his accolades, love the videos and fly safe from your local C-5M pilot 🤙

[@NikosWings]

Hey Brian, it was great meeting you at the Atlantis Exhibit (how amazing was it?). You guys are amazing! Thank you for what you do for us 🙏🙏🙏

[@Daywalker_27]

Found you 11:17

[@The12b212]

@@Daywalker_27 yep that was us! Didn’t even see that before lol

[@BlenderRookie]

My grandmother used to hate those wasps. She'd lovingly refer to them as "evil leg draggers". Cracked me up every time..

[@NikosWings]

Funny

[@milk-it]

I just love how your wife and Zoe are so calm and treat the flight as if it's just another day at the end! You've really got flying down to just another day the office, Niko 😃.

[@Fwuwe]

What a good evacuation training. How fast they got out. Fortunately the wasp showed itself on the ground. Thanks for you videos. I enjoyed it.

[@trryhin]

Really glad that happened on the ground and not in the air! Had to laugh though when taking off after that: "Final clear" "Airplane clear"

[@Wild_Bill57]

Laughed when I heard that, too.!

[@derek17005]

Never finished my private license, got too expensive for a broke college kid even 20 years ago. Didn't go into a field where it would've benefitted me either so I could never justify the cost. I have to live vicariously through you NIko. Great upload and video as always.

[@guardianobserver6593]

Don't worry. There are other things in life.

[@peanuts2105]

@@guardianobserver6593 incorrect statement. Go all out and figure out how you are going to get there

[@golfsierrahotel4806]

Zoe is so laid back about flying but Mum just had to sit in back with her when the Wasp might possibly re appear...bless her. That was like the A380 of Wasps though.

[@tfabrizio623]

Always love your content! I purchased my Beech Sundowner from Florida and after I got checked out on it, during my first solo landing, a big honking spider came crawling out of the throttle quadrant on short final! Not my best landing, but the most memorable! Now I keep a napkin folded up in the old ashtray for "emergency squishing" when the family is onboard. ;)

[@NikosWings]

Holy cow….

[@Bris650]

Next year come on up to Charlevoix. We have a beautiful Airport and lots of fun things to do for your family!!!! We would welcome you. Really enjoy your video's and your family😁

[@sgtjay]

We gotta built the Aviation Community and push this channel to 1M! This is my fave Aviation YT channel and there are many more that in the community we all need to promote these guys!!! GOD bless; Tires Down Wings Up!

[@rolands.6439]

@10:40 Timestamp: ... Damn! 17000 ft. This shows a level of comfort with your oxygen-systems that is just great. Thank you for showing us what is possible.

[@rockchildofthe60s69]

It's that exact plane that made me fall in love with planes. Flew few times in a friend's Cirrus and it was absolutely beautiful little plane and my reason for my addiction to planes now lol. Gorgeous plane! And yikes, glad the wife isn't allergic to wasp. I got bit and swelled up like a balloon. Not to mention it's painful. Your wife is a trooper!

[@vanallen9453]

..as always..yet another great eye-opening video..and that wasp..will always remember..why you never want to mess with the Mighty Niko..

[@mattmulder9410]

Good ole Great Lakes Approach! Pentwater is soo beautiful and so many Northern Michigan towns are surreal :) I'm based in KAZO and you can never get enough of Northern Michigan flying and fun in the summer! Another amazing video

[@alexenns3203]

No way!!!!! Oceana is my home airport! And you flew over my house! Wish I had known you where there

[@23aviatorguy]

Top notch video as usual. Good thing you saw that wasp while you were on the ground and not during some critical phase of flight. Then, it would have been a very eventful flight. You may want to add check for rodents and insects on your preflight checklist 😂

[@piperarrowpilot9325]

On my first solo a wasp flew into the plane through the cracked door during taxi without me realizing. On final Is when I noticed it buzzing all around in my face. I opened the side window and it was sucked out just as I crossed the threshold haha. Definitely a quick thinking solution.

[@sky-11]

thats a great idea iam going to do that on all my preflights from now on.

[@piperarrowpilot9325]

@@sky-11 not even joking a local flight school had a squirrel running around inside the plane while it was sitting on the ramp. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen at an airport. It was running across the seat backs up onto the dash and back into the back in a big circle as fast as it could trying to find a way out.

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

@@piperarrowpilot9325 How scary. Imagine on final getting stung in the face.

[@ang5568]

Yiasou Niko, I've been down with Covid 19 recovering and was searching for GA in Greece and found your KZbin Channel. I love your content and the information about flying in Greece. I hope to try my hand at flying in Greece as I go back every couple years to visit family. Thank you for a wonderful KZbin channel. I haven't flown in 12 years but just bought a 1958 Cessna 172, have my class 2 medical and BFR current. Getting checked-out in a C206 w/ Garmin 1000. I'm not used to glass. It's been fun watching you fly your Cirrus with the wonderful avionics package and working the IFR system. I am so rusty its pathetic but getting excited watching you fly IFR that I may get my instrument currency back not that we need it here very often in northern Arizona. Anyway, just wanted to reach out and thank you for the wonderful content. I am a subscriber now and look forward to your next videos. Ευχαριστο

[@NikosWings]

Γεια σου φίλε, you never said your name. Glad you like the content…

[@ang5568]

βαγγεληs

[@lucky_one2]

Love flying into Western Carolina Regional and I used to spend childhood summers in Pentwater, MI...thanks for taking me along for the trip with you and your family.

[@NikosWings]

What are the chances? Great places

[@donaldholman9070]

Great video. Thank you so much.

[@ericm333]

Let the Good times Roll NIKOOO 😀

[@zach9373]

Been waiting my whole life for another upload.

[@CirrusMJ]

One of my biggest fears being mildly allergic to certain stings! I always try and triple check the cockpit before I get in because of it. Glad everyone was ok Niko, beautiful flight and great video as always!

[@MrPoppasmurf79]

Great video as always. Always make time for family. Love it.

[@jaydubmotorsportstm5629]

Great Shots of the mountains!! I love that part of Carolina and Georgia my home state!!! I love driving those curvy roads through the mountains. Good stuff Niko

[@ignaciovaldovinos4735]

Awesome editing!! Always a treat!

[@dougbracey8103]

loved the shot of jacksonville fla. and the Dames Point bridge, it looks like you come to jacksonville quite often and you use craig airport, I would like to meet you in person sometime and discuss your aviation adventures etc.

[@conradbeckles465]

Thank you for sharing! Great video…love seeing you with your family. Btw…the music was exceptional this video!

[@rogerhummel3023]

This approach is exactly what I want to do prior to search landing, if possible. I will be moving down to Florida by the end of this year. Once I’m there, I will need to find a very reputable flight instructor that I can work with from start to finish.

[@SR-cp1eo]

I had the same thing happen on one of my videos. Not as professional as you, but stung at the worst time on short final. It takes a lot of will power to just let it happen and keep flying.

[@NikosWings]

That’s terrible…

[@raulvargas352]

This was a well produced video with great music, scenery, events during your flight. Thank You. I felt as though I was traveling with you.

[@cynthiaconners4474]

Wasps are seriously no joke, I felt for your wife because those stings hurt! I live in the Wine Country (Sonoma/Napa area) and harvest is starting for the light variations and the wasps are thick here in the vineyards. I would have reacted EXACTLY as your wife and little girl did.... RUN lol. I got stung 3 weeks ago by one and still see the hole and bruising around it. Nasty little things. Great video, the terrain was so pretty. Thx

[@rn2811]

You should come and visit the finger lakes region of NY sometime especially in the fall. Heading to kitty hawk hopefully Sat 🙏 but as far as uninvited guests in the plane that’s why I still carry old sectionals 😉.

[@ceb7422]

Ah this brings back memories. Wife (new wife) were on our honeymoon, taking off from Catalina airport, oft the coast of Southern CA. During takeoff roll a bumble bee took flight in the cockpit. Wife stared to scream. Nothing to do but take off. The east end of Catalina drops about 3,000 feet to the Pacific Ocean. In flight tried to get rid of the bee. Finally wife worked up the courage and killed it. After that I always check the interior of the plane for uninvited guests.

[@PurtyPurple]

If your wife thought that was scary, imagine how it was for the bee! :P

[@NikosWings]

Ha true

[@thezirons]

Another great video! Bravo!

[@MidnightWyvern]

My medical examiner has his office at Hartford Brainard airport, and as I drove by I saw a silver SR22 that had almost the same paint scheme and it made me do a double-take!

[@terencecottington4273]

Glad you and your family made it home safely with no wasp helping you out in the cockpit. Looking at Zoe I can't believe how much she has grown up. It only seemed like yesterday that our son Ben was her age. He started at university today to study aeronautical engineering at De Montfort University in Leicester. (uk) It took us 4 and a half hours to drive 151 miles. The good old M25 and M1 motorways were bumper to bumper all the way up. Dropped him off and did the same journey getting back home. It seems very odd not having him in the house. Cherish each minute with Zoe as time slips away so quietly and hardly noticeable. You have a great family my friend, thanks for sharing part of your lives with us.

[@NikosWings]

Congrats for your Ben!

[@terencecottington4273]

@@NikosWings Thanks Niko. He takes after me in aviation terms. He simply can't get enough...😊😊

[@professorvoluck9311]

Beautiful view of the Breakers & Mar-a-Lago. I Lived on the island for many years. There’s nothing quite like it.

[@dereksellars]

Great flight !! Good thing that Wasp showed up when he did, while you were on the ground, but he should have not showed up at all. That would freak me out also. Thanks again for a super video !!

[@davefrommelbourne1237]

Cool family flight Niko. I did laugh at 5:50 lol

[@bobr8766]

Great vid! Sorry about the wasp…at least it wasn’t an Eastern Rattlesnake. Flight level 180…WOW! You are showing your many years of experience….awesome!

[@Ddgi-u73]

I drive past that airfield (Western NC airport) in Andrews on the regular. Some of the best driving roads in the USA are located in that area, especially over toward Robbinsville, NC (Cherohala Skyway, Deals Gap, the Blue Ridge Parkway etc.), not to mention the Smokey Mtns themselves. At any rate, safe travels and thanks for sharing!

[@John_Be]

Niko the out the nose time lapse was great. Thanks for putting it in

[@KentonNewby]

This inspired me to add include KRHP as one of the points for my long XC for my PPL. Just wrapped that up early this week. KRYY -> KCEU -> KRHP -> KRYY. In an SR20 G6. Beautiful approach. Had to do a quick lap to get setup in the pattern though. Came across the ridge at 5500’ thinking “damn I’m wayyyy too high” but it was quiet that day so no problem. Buttery smooth landing, then back to home base. Almost time for that checkride!

[@NikosWings]

Great choice

[@kenngross5306]

Glad there were no allergic reaction to the wasp sting. Fly safe.

[@airkingflyer3515]

An amazing video and from Fenton Michigan we are glad you enjoyed your stay. I can’t wait to get back to Florida 🌴🌴

[@MattyCrayon]

Wasps on a plane. Good title for a movie, haha. Glad it didn't get happen during flight and you were all ok. As always. Loved traveling across America with you. Great editing.

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

Nothing worse than an unruly passenger!:-). Beautiful B roll and great content as always! Go Niko Go!!

[@OlavSurlandHansen]

What a lucky girl Zoe is - she will certainly be able to tell her class with pride about "What did you do during summer holidays?". Good to see Niko and his family thrive as they cross the country from north to south, cruising at FL 180, at 200 knots with a lucky tailwind.

[@sky-11]

That was another great and interesting flight.I enjoyed it,your a great pilot.

[@videopokernetwork6824]

Autumn Haze. Nicely done.

[@dripguy]

great video Niko! My sister lives in the hills about 3 miles west of KRHP and I have driven by there many times but never had the perspective from the air. Thanks for the view!

[@kfacpa]

Lovely family, great vids - thanks!

[@cardio10101]

Για σου ρε μάγκα και ο Θεός να ευλογεί την όμορφη οικογένειά σας.

[@NikosWings]

Ευχαριστώ φιλαράκι

[@robertwren2289]

Nice flight. It just took me 11 days to get rid of a Yellow Jacket nest. They had a formidable army. Got stung by one Marine on the first night of Operation Yellow Coat. lol

[@dedododo-dedadada7957]

If I could choose a redo in life... it would be like your life! Wonderful footage and story telling.

[@rocky_williams]

Niko, you remain the king of B-roll. 👍🏻

[@2004JETTA]

Fantastic video as always!! Sorry to hear about the wasp but glad it happened on the ground! Also sidenote, the music in this video is fantastic as well, the audio mixing is just as top notch as the content itself. Keep up the great work! Wishing you and your family clear skies and Tailwinds!

[@NikosWings]

Thanks for noticing the details

[@HansGyswyt]

Thank you for taking me along on this quarter hour of wonderful distraction from daily life. I recently unsubscribed to many channels trying to cut back on virtual entertainment and engage in real life, but still always love your content. All the best.

[@NikosWings]

Thanks for watching. I understand what you mean about cutting back

[@tpittockful]

Thank you for a great video as always, I never have seen 3 people exit an airplane so quickly. Looked like an evac drill that was cool. Thank you again sir. It was just a wasp unless you guys are terribly allergic. Take Care.

[@richardpowell7530]

Better than driving. Do a barrel. Roll. Or a loop. Just a thought. I would love to hear. Those step kid s of mine squeal. I bet they would not ask how long .it would be after that. Your a great pilot

[@JSouthrn85]

Welcome to God's Country! You flew over Lake Chatuge, probably while I was out there on the boat! Nice video, as usual Niko.

[@jeffauen]

Niko, you need a ride in the Aircam! You seem to like very low flying. Any time you’re near Baltimore drop into W48 and we’ll fly the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay.

[@NikosWings]

I’d love that

[@kris4897]

Nice flight.

[@wstafco]

Everyone left Captain Niko to fight the wasps. Glad it was worse. Great video as usual.

[@carlmccall7198]

Dang man... ive been following you for a while now.. i live on the east side of Michigan....i would have loved to meet you in person... one day perhaps...

[@garydell2023]

Thank you Niko for this video. Personal flying is better. Dont get wasps in airlines. Good to see you again.

[@stebecinc]

We live in Grand Rapids, MI But really love going to the Hart/Mears area. Would love to move to Oceana county. If you like bicycling their is a great trail. It is actually a State Park. The first linear State Park in Michigan. It runs from Hart to Montague/Whitehall. Lots of fruit grown in the area and the area is the asparagus capital of Mi.

[@chester8420]

Hey Niko, you need to order a pack of "Sooth-a-Sting" swabs. They are topical Lidocaine/Benzocaine. They are for wasp and bee stings, but I've found they work well for jellyfish too. Sure makes the kids feel better when you crack open one and swab their sting with it. You can get them on Amazon. They hold up well for years in the glove box despite the Florida heat because the medicine is sealed in glass ampules.

[@NikosWings]

Great idea, thanks

[@gxlbiscuit]

Man it seems like it's been a minute since we've seen some vids. Glad to see you all :-)

[@johndemerse9172]

Excellent video as usual Niko. Had that happen in a car but in an airplane is crazy!

[@tomscorner7970]

Glad all the excitement happened while on the ground.

[@georges4562]

Great video as usual ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@robertbowling8393]

Greetings again from Ohio ... Thank you for another beautiful ride-along! Great trip as always. Have vacationed in Mich. a number of times ... one gorgeous state indeed. Sorry for the wasp encounter! Heading into fall, they do get aggressive. Glad he deplaned, and you were able to continue your return trip home without further incident with everyone ok. Thanks again for the flight and scenery! Stay safe and well, and as always, good business to you.

[@NikosWings]

Thanks Robert

[@stewc625]

Nico, love your videos as always, but question your judgement dropping down to 50-100 feet above the water off the Silver Lake Dunes there (I've been to that area) - it's one thing to do that where if you screw up you kill just yourself, but with the wife and daughter aboard too? Anyway, great video as always, sorry about the wasp, I think you're amazing pilot, I love your devotion to checklists, procedures, instrument flight even when you don't have to. Keep them coming.

[@NikosWings]

I hear ya, not the smartest move, you don’t want to do that fir more than a few seconds

[@chrisc161]

Thank you for sharing Nikos.

[@NW-yy3pz]

Thanks Niko, Wonderful family and Nice video, glad it happened on gnd… btw, I had same thing 1st day post ppl license, I saw it right after T/O . I was lucky; it went straight to windshield, so had no choice but to eliminate it with my checklist during climb … the good part, I didnt panic, maybe its the fact that had no pax on board ! Believe or not but 2 weeks early , I red an article on same event in flyingmag !!!

[@kaseycornette9637]

Niko, it was difficult to tell with the editing but I believe you flew pretty close if not right over my house there in western Carolina.

[@sagecleveland3953]

Love seeing you in my sub box!!

[@flyinghigh2646]

New sub here Niko, flying was always a dream for me...great family ...hope all good ....BTW which editing sw you use for your videos .....its crisp

[@NikosWings]

Final Cut Pro X. Thx

[@flyinghigh2646]

@@NikosWings Thank you, I am 35 and now financially well settled, you inspired me, that you learned flying at 38. I had given up, never thought people learn flying ...but thank you...I love the SR22 ...hopefully, in the future I will buy it too ...

[@NikosWings]

You are at your prime my friend. You’ll probably become a better pilot than all the younger ones.

[@pilotpeego1820]

That was a yellow jacket. Thank goodness the "terror in the cockpit " was not during flight. Maybe you should add 'check for dangerous animals in cockpit' before take off.

[@NikosWings]

Paper wasp. Not that aggressive. Yes we checked, but it was probably hiding on the seatbelt

[@MrBUpop]

Ouch! Just love your photography and commentary. Hope Zoe's kitten is growing up and lots of fun minus major destruction.

[@calvinlivengood5717]

Your minimum altitude should permit a safe emergency landing at all times even when over uncongested areas. Can't tell for sure from the video, but didn't look like you had that elevation over the lake in the unfortunate event the engine went out. Stay safe and have fun flying!

[@NikosWings]

I didn’t have altitude but I had energy, energy equals to altitude when you need to gain it, and was about 1/2mile offshore. Engines don’t just quit. All I’m saying is you can fly low as long as you other options. Also not smart to fly that low for more than a few seconds.

[@TheBestAsianGamer]

I don't fly but love watching these videos. Why don't you always fly high? I think most of your flights are around 5000ft?

[@NikosWings]

If it makes sense I’ll fly high if not then lower

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Niko so sorry about the wasp I’m glad you and your family are ok. I think it is so awesome you vacation frequently at Lake Michigan it is such a beautiful place! What a wonderful place to get together with family! Also that flight was beautifully edited great job!

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

Zoey is going to need you to put “ check for wasp in cabin “ number one on the preflight cl !!

[@alexmccabe1948]

You’re the only cirrus pilot I know of who doesn’t start the airplane with the throttle wide open

[@NikosWings]

Only when hot start

[@stratotramp6243]

Have you seen that landing video with the Tarantula!? reminds me of that! 🤣

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

I had a spider crawling around mid-flight on one of my flights. When he disappeared I had him in the back of my mind the entire time. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing.

[@Data-FlightSim]

Excellent video as always Niko, thank you for sharing!

[@kevinjohnson5865]

Niko, I have been watching your content for some time. I have been so interested in pursuing my private pilot license. I was just wondering how old you were when you started?

[@NikosWings]

I was 38 almost 39

[@passawitp.7332]

Thank you for your great content to be an inspiration to everyone,especially me.🛫🛬

[@racko651]

Thank you for the video and effort evolved in producing this Niko. Myself and my family truly enjoy watching you. Every time we see the country side I say to my wife we are living in the wrong country.

[@davidpangilinan7275]

Great video!!! From Melbourne, Australia.

[@karlr6810]

The Upper Midwest is gorgeous for the 3-4 months that is summer. The rest of the time...it sucks. LOL

[@bartomand3681]

Niko, Greek God of the cockpit. Yet another fantastic flight, and great video. Quick question, ever get that static issue while flying through clouds squared away?

[@NikosWings]

My friends at MNI at FXE will be performing a series of tests per Cirrus SB next month

[@coppi60]

Great video; so sorry about the wasp encounter:(

[@danielwilliams3360]

I guess it’s better than a “poisonous snake”.🐍 I remember hearing a story about a light twin engine aircraft flying in IMC conditions over Florida, and a snake slithered out from under the panel or floorboard somewhere. The front right seat passenger instinctively grabbed the snake right behind it’s head and held on for dear life. The 2 men up front were discussing whether it was actually a poisonous snake or not, but couldn’t really be sure, so it was decided to maintain a grip on the snake until on the ground, just to be safe. I can’t remember if the pilot declared an emergency or not, but he eventually landed. An FBO worker greeted the aircraft upon arrival and the men in the aircraft asked him if he thought the snake was poisonous, he said he didn’t know but he would call over a fellow lineman that knew more about snakes. Upon arrival at the aircraft, the 2nd FBO guy said; “oh yeah, that’s definitely a “poisonous” snake, it’s a good thing you decided to hang onto it. It was theorized that the snake had entered the cockpit via a heater duct from the nose wheel well, like a “janitorial” heater, or whatever external combustion heaters they stick in the nose wheel wells of light twins ?

[@benakay]

Hey Niko. Sorry about that and hope your wife is okay. I think I saw the wasp exit the aircraft - min 8:41, 11 o’clock on the video frame (it was on the passenger door seal, top right). Again, beautiful video and hope both your wife and daughter are okay. Cheers.

[@NikosWings]

Yeah it did fly out but didn’t know it at the time

[@jeromebisgambiglia192]

Glad to be on the ground at this moment.. Good video as always Niko 😀

[@simeon2851]

Something to add to the before take off check list. 😁