Gary
@172mpilot.bsky.social
AvGeek, GA pilot, 30+ year career in commercial and business aviation. Die hard Georgia Tech alumni and fan. Go Jackets!
For #SkyhawkSunday this was arrival back at the airport at the end my FAA SES check ride this past week #TeamHighWing
January 11, 2026 at 3:36 PM
For #SkyhawkSunday this was arrival back at the airport at the end my FAA SES check ride this past week #TeamHighWing
Finally got in the checkride. Now seaplane rated! Definitely a lot fun to fly! This really was the most fun rating so far. But was still nervous during the check ride... comes with the territory
January 9, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Finally got in the checkride. Now seaplane rated! Definitely a lot fun to fly! This really was the most fun rating so far. But was still nervous during the check ride... comes with the territory
Gorgeous late morning for some approaches under the foggles in the #RV14. Had to wait for the low fog to lift but once it did it would've been CAVU if not for the lingering haze layer below about 3.5k AGL
January 4, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Gorgeous late morning for some approaches under the foggles in the #RV14. Had to wait for the low fog to lift but once it did it would've been CAVU if not for the lingering haze layer below about 3.5k AGL
First flight for 2026 in the books! 35kts at 3k MSL but it was pretty smooth. Lake is pretty low...
January 2, 2026 at 6:50 PM
First flight for 2026 in the books! 35kts at 3k MSL but it was pretty smooth. Lake is pretty low...
Happy New Year! Here's wishing for more flight hours in 2026 than I got in 2025...
January 1, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Happy New Year! Here's wishing for more flight hours in 2026 than I got in 2025...
Gorgeous afternoon to burn some 100LL #SpinnerSaturday #TeamHighWing
December 21, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Gorgeous afternoon to burn some 100LL #SpinnerSaturday #TeamHighWing
A bit breezy out there today. But had a nice ground speed for a 172M
November 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
A bit breezy out there today. But had a nice ground speed for a 172M
Slipping into the short week... #FlightDeckMonday #TeamHighWing style.
November 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Slipping into the short week... #FlightDeckMonday #TeamHighWing style.
Nice relaxing flight today is exactly what I needed. #SkyHawkSunday
November 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Nice relaxing flight today is exactly what I needed. #SkyHawkSunday
Spun the spinner on #SpinnerSaturday #C172. GORGEOUS up there today. Strong westerly winds even down low (32kts at 3K) but surprisingly smooth.
November 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Spun the spinner on #SpinnerSaturday #C172. GORGEOUS up there today. Strong westerly winds even down low (32kts at 3K) but surprisingly smooth.
A bit of fall color up in the base of the Appalachians today. Beautiful day for #SkyhawkSunday flying
November 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A bit of fall color up in the base of the Appalachians today. Beautiful day for #SkyhawkSunday flying
Was really bumpy out there today but mission was to fly down and pick up the RV-14 from annual. Holy cow are the bugs bad! I would've expected this in FL during love bug season, not in N GA on Halloween. 🥴 Took a lot longer than usual to clean her up post flt
October 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Was really bumpy out there today but mission was to fly down and pick up the RV-14 from annual. Holy cow are the bugs bad! I would've expected this in FL during love bug season, not in N GA on Halloween. 🥴 Took a lot longer than usual to clean her up post flt
So humbled for this unique gift from the GT School of Aerospace Engineering commemorating my time on & chairing the advisory board. It was a labor of love and I look fwd to continuing to support the school in other ways.
October 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
So humbled for this unique gift from the GT School of Aerospace Engineering commemorating my time on & chairing the advisory board. It was a labor of love and I look fwd to continuing to support the school in other ways.
Landing during that golden few minutes between sunset and full night. A bit of a gusting x-wind but love these views.... #FlightDeckMonday
October 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Landing during that golden few minutes between sunset and full night. A bit of a gusting x-wind but love these views.... #FlightDeckMonday
I did a thing today and it was a blast! Just a couple of more hours and gonna get this rating
October 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I did a thing today and it was a blast! Just a couple of more hours and gonna get this rating
Landing during that "golden hour", orange sky, glittering runway lights, calm winds, quiet frequencies.... a perfect evening for a flight.
October 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Landing during that "golden hour", orange sky, glittering runway lights, calm winds, quiet frequencies.... a perfect evening for a flight.
Something extra peaceful about night flying. Gorgeous sunset views, usually light winds, calm skies and quiet radio frequencies....
October 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Something extra peaceful about night flying. Gorgeous sunset views, usually light winds, calm skies and quiet radio frequencies....
My ride home this afternoon, the venerable (and now somewhat rare with only ~100 still in operation) 717...
October 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM
My ride home this afternoon, the venerable (and now somewhat rare with only ~100 still in operation) 717...
I was honored to present on 2 panels at this week's All Wheels Up 2025 Global Forum on Accessible Air Travel. Important work making the entire flying experience safer and more comfortable for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
September 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I was honored to present on 2 panels at this week's All Wheels Up 2025 Global Forum on Accessible Air Travel. Important work making the entire flying experience safer and more comfortable for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Hello Mt Rainier.... Enjoyed my few days up in SEA for a work conference. Got the classic welcoming view on descent into SEA-TAC
September 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Hello Mt Rainier.... Enjoyed my few days up in SEA for a work conference. Got the classic welcoming view on descent into SEA-TAC
Trifecta late summer day. Morning starts with practice approaches in the RV14. Then 1st run since Achilles injury July 4, finished off with likely last trip on the lake for the season.
September 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Trifecta late summer day. Morning starts with practice approaches in the RV14. Then 1st run since Achilles injury July 4, finished off with likely last trip on the lake for the season.
Gorgeous morning for some mountain flying up in the N Georgia Mountains.
September 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Gorgeous morning for some mountain flying up in the N Georgia Mountains.
Was finally able to get back in the AC after 2+ wks away (#FlightDeckMonday content). A family wedding in Boston and then vacation with the wife in Norway. I wish I had the 172 in Norway to see it from the air. It was breathtaking. Bucket list trip completed....
September 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Was finally able to get back in the AC after 2+ wks away (#FlightDeckMonday content). A family wedding in Boston and then vacation with the wife in Norway. I wish I had the 172 in Norway to see it from the air. It was breathtaking. Bucket list trip completed....
Low IFR day with mild summer temps is a good day for a wash and wax. Definitely needed it after spending all that time this summer on mtc....
August 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Low IFR day with mild summer temps is a good day for a wash and wax. Definitely needed it after spending all that time this summer on mtc....
Some backyard aerial acrobatics and dogfighting this week. They've been pretty scarce all summer but have returned in the last week or so.
August 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Some backyard aerial acrobatics and dogfighting this week. They've been pretty scarce all summer but have returned in the last week or so.