The irony is I'm more concerned about writing than I am about flying. However, my dear friend Rod Rakic has asked me to blog about my pending adventure, and I am humbled to oblige. For him, I will set my concerns aside and focus on the mission: take you on this adventure with me.
My name is Mandy Irwin. I have seven and a half hours logged on a Cessna 172, and I'm co-piloting a Beechcraft 1900B from the United States to South Africa beginning Monday.
It'll be the second time I take the trip in a 1900, but the first time not in a passenger seat. (Okay, I did get to hold heading and altitude for a brief while between the Canary Islands and Mali last time but I was so over-stimulated it still doesn't seem real.)
I do realize how fortunate I am. This is an amazing opportunity… and for those who may be a little jealous, you'll probably hate me when you learn that that's just the front half of the trip. Once we get to South Africa, we'll be exchanging the 1900 for a PAC 750. Via several countries, we'll make our way to Guam.
Yes, from an aviation perspective, life is very good to me.
Mandy Irwin is a student pilot, writer, and travel nerd based in Chicago. (MDW)
