Last Saturday, Oct. 2nd was a big day for the Johnson side of the family. My dad and uncle had their first flight on the airplane they have been building for about 8 years! My dad called me that Friday before and said they would be flying at 8:30 the next morning. I have to admit it made me super nervous. The thought of someone going up into the air in something that is home built just freaked me out a little! But that morning, we got up early and all headed to the airport. Maya was so excited to go she really likes to see Grandpa's airplane and she didn't even realize it was going to take flight that very morning!! Not long after we got there my family all showed up as well as my Uncle Bruce's family and Uncle Greg's family. My Grandma was also there. It was really great to see her, I haven't seen her in a long time and it's always fun for Maya to see her Grammy! Everyone chatted for awhile and ate some yummy breakfast that was provided by my uncle until at last the big moment came...They wheeled the airplane out of the hanger. Camera flashes were going off like crazy! My Uncle Bruce climbed in the pilot's seat and closed the canopy. More flashes! My cousins and brothers were running around taking pictures of every little angle of that plane. I started to think, is this because they are worried that they won't see it in this condition again??? I was so nervous! The propeller started and the airplane moved down towards the runway. I thought the fact that it is moving is a pretty good sign. Maybe these boys did know what they were doing! We all walked down towards the runway, and waited as my Uncle turned and drove towards the entrance. A few minutes later we could see and hear him coming full speed towards us. We all watched as he lifted off the ground and flew low right past us!! We were all clapping and cheering! He pulled up and took off into the sky. I was amazed at how sharp it looked and sounded as it flew by. This was a really nice plane and I started to have a lot of hope that it was going to make it back in one piece. He flew in a large circle around by the mountain and came back and flew low past us. He waved to us as we all clapped and waived back to him! He did this a few times before coming back in and landing. The whole flight went great with no problems! It was pretty amazing to think that so long ago this plane started out as a bunch of tiny pieces and now it was flying around the city! It was a lot of fun that so many of the family showed up to support my uncle and dad and siblings in all their hard work. It really paid off! Later, I was sitting by my dad when Uncle Bruce came up to me and said, "So I heard you were pretty nervous about today?" I didn't want him to ever think I doubted his airplane building skills so I said back to him, "only about the weather, I really wanted it to be perfect for your first flight!" Him and my dad both laughed and said nice cover Kara!! It turned out to be a very fun and exciting morning and maybe just maybe I will eventually be brave enough to go for a ride someday!
