The Joy of Flying While a Pilot

Flying commercially has presented a special thrill for as long as I can remember.

Everything from the view while boarding the aircraft, to the take off roll, to the spectacular cloud porn out the window at altitude gives me a feeling of excitement.

As a licensed pilot myself, the excitement is extra special. While I personally can only pilot single engine aircraft, the very act of learning to fly has increased my appreciation for pretty much every aspect of flying commercially.

One of the things I love most about commercial flying is the ability to savour the textures and colours in the sky.

While others read, or work on their laptops, I gaze out the window, mesmerized by an ever-changing cloudscape punctuated by a crimson rainbow on the horizon.

During a recent work-related flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto, those of us who cast our gaze out the window were treated to a fairy tale blanket of puffy, white clouds woven loosely together to form a thick rim around a giant sky crater through which the setting sun casts its magical, scarlet spell.

The capabilities of my Smartphone camera to capture this masterpiece didn't do it justice. (The storybook sliver of moon dancing across the cloud cover as we sped by in our giant tin can while the sun still glowed confidently underneath also evaded my instagram-ready phone camera!)

Lucky me, that I have a job that includes a fairly regular amount of air travel so that I don't run out of opportunities for in-person aviation thrills!