Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 15

AFTER THE CHECKRIDE
BY ALYSSA J. COBB
AIRPORT PICNICS
BEST-KEPT SECRET IN AVIATION
SOME OF THE MOST OVERLOOKED AND UNDERRATED AREAS AT THE AIRPORT-THE
picnic table, a bench, a grassy area, or even the ramp space under your wing-can transform
into a gateway for adventure, romance, and merry-making with a simple picnic.
Flying to an airport to eat at the restaurant on the field is fun, but when that's the
sole purpose of the flight, the novelty quickly loses its luster. After all, you can only
eat so many aviation-themed burgers or omelets in a noisy, crowded restaurant where
everyone wants a window view before the airport eateries blend together.
Pack a picnic with your favorite foods and dining becomes one of many memorable
highlights in a larger adventure. Maybe it's a cheese, cracker, and fruit platter as you
stargaze during a meteor shower (the airport is the darkest place in a city); sub sandwiches
before you hike a bird-spotting trail; or finger foods while your kids giggle and
ride their scooters on empty ramp space. Maybe it's Mexican food from your significant
other's favorite restaurant while you enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the picnic table,
the only two at the airport except for one airplane performing takeoffs and landings.
The airport environment can transform to provide the perfect ambiance for your picnic
for nearly any occasion.
A picnic can also be a time-saver on long, across-the-country flights. When you fly
long distances VFR, chances are you won't be able to land at every planned stop. Inevitably,
you'll end up at airports without a restaurant on the field, and you won't always
have the time to take a courtesy car into town. Sometimes, particularly in the evening,
the FBO might also be closed. After getting bounced around in the heat of the day in a
light airplane for three hours at a time, sitting on the solid, unmoving ramp in the shade
of your wing will feel refreshing as you feast on a picnic.
You don't even have to fly for an airport picnic. Invite a bunch of friends and family
to join you at your home base's picnic shelter or even your hangar. Good food and lots
of laughs are interrupted only by aircraft operations as everyone stops momentarily to
watch a touchdown or follow a takeoff. This is a great way to build positive memories
at airports with people who aren't around general aviation much.
ALYSSA J. COBB is a former editor for AOPA Media.
FLIGHT TRAINING MARCH/APRIL 2025
15

http://www.aircraftspruce.com

Flight Training - March/April 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - March/April 2025

Contents
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Intro
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover1
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover2
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Contents
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 2
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 3
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 4
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 5
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 6
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 7
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 8
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 9
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 10
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 11
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 12
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 13
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 14
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 15
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Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 18
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 19
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 20
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 21
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 22
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Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover3
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover4
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