It's still early in my career, but this is one flight that I will never forget!

We all hated the instrument rides (all three of them), but the I-3 had some wiggle room to add a low level! It was my second to last ride in the program so my IP wanted to have some fun!

Step to the jet, find out my crew chief and I, grew up within 30 miles of each other. We played football against each other (we won!)…small world! Startup, taxi out, and take off! The low level is way north, on the AZ/UT border, so we have to sky hook it up there. Level off at 27k, check out meteor crater up by Winslow, AZ. Thinking of a good road trip as I watch monument valley pass to my right, on the decent into the low level! Get into the low level where the mountaintops are above us. Being cleared to wedge because we can't fly line abreast due to the mountains. Weaving our way through the canyons on eastern part or Lake Powell. RALT (set at 500 feet), going off when I turn to stay in the canyon! My IP making a radio call every so often...to make sure “I was still back there.” Rounding a corner to see a group of ~30 boats tied together, seeing them holding up their beers as I stand my jet on it’s wing over them! Hitting the burner and doing a ridge crossing over the canyon wall, right in front of that crowd of ~100 people. Exiting the canyons to fly over, what looks like, "the painted earth" at 500 feet. A few more ridge crossings... Flying line abreast, straddling a very busy US 89. Standing our jets on their tails to go from 500 feet, up to 14k to exit the low level. Turn south at 14k, autopilot on and watch, in amazement, at the Grand Canyon below! That was the first time I had laid eyes on the Grand Canyon…can't think of a better way see it! Blah blah...boring instrument stuff at Grand Canyon airport. Climbing out, checking out one of the few green spot in AZ...Flagstaff. Plan my next weekend adventure as I check out the awesome landscape that is Sedona! Descending back into the Valley of the sun with the biggest smile on my face! Up initial, pitchout, land, shut down and thank my crew chief for a great jet! It's Friday afternoon, the debrief is short, the beer light is on...time to drink with the best group of friends & IPs I could ever ask for! As the bar gets rowdy, shot glasses being broken…I can’t help but think I have the best job in the world!

Yes, I know…I won’t give up my day to job to be a writer.