One of the things I noticed when I arrived at the Santa Paula airport was the relaxed atmosphere. They even have a hammock at the end of the runway where you can take a rest while watching airplanes take off and land.

While jogging I noticed another unique feature about KSZP. They have a large amount of not just antique airplanes, but cars as well!

It was like stepping back in time.

.... I went for a jog again and was enjoying the unique views the airport provides.

Here is a classic tail-wheel airplane, a Cessna 180 Skywagon. You can even see the spiraling slipstream of air the propeller creates as it wraps around the airplanes fuselage. The spiraling slipstream is present anytime the engine is running, but it takes just the right humidity, temperature, and airspeed to make it visible. There was the first time I had seen it this clearly.

Each day between our lessons, I was entertained and amazed by the variety of aircraft that frequent the airfield. Here is one shaped like a flying “V” that has the propeller in the back. A very modern design.

And on the other end of the spectrum was this classic example of flying history. This airplane is called a Ryan ST and was made back in the early 1930’s. It made it even easier to appreciate the awesome training I was getting when I was surrounded by so many great examples of aviation history!

Pilots often fly with their dogs and it is common to see them moving around the airport with their owners traveling to and from their aircraft.

I’ve heard jokes about using a stone to tell the weather, but this was the first time I’ve seen the sign complete with a rock hanging above it.

Here, a local pilot takes some time to wash his pride and joy, a nice straight tail Cessna 172 before putting her back in the hanger for the night.

Before I new it I had completed my five days of flying and it was time to head back to Utah. I was surprised how quickly the week flew by and how much I had learned.

At Figure 1 their mission is to educate, enable, and inspire the general aviation community at the grass roots level to promote change in safety and growth in the aviation industry as a whole. I can personally vouch they are successfully accomplishing that goal and that I am a better, safer pilot after training with them. I logged 10 hours of the most rigorous and exciting flying I had ever done and I can’t imagine moving forward in my aviation career without that valuable experience.

I highly encourage other pilots as well as those interested in being a pilot to check out their website and apply for a scholarship. There are currently 4 different scholarships being offered, each being a great opportunity.

One last shout out to Chris for being an awesome instructor and being patient with me while I flipped, spun and rolled around the sky in that beast of an airplane. I can’t believe you get to do that kind of flying everyday!!

Neil Amonson

Facebook

Jump-4-Joy

Instagram