Preflight in the Hangar: Hudson River Bound

Sometimes the quietest moments in aviation are the most meaningful—the hum of the hangar, the soft glow of the avionics, and the stillness before the mission begins.

These photos were taken while I was updating the GPS in preparation for a flight up the Hudson River Corridor the next day. If you’ve never flown it, the views are unreal—skyline on one side, water on the other, and the Statue of Liberty right beneath your wing.

But before all that magic happens in the air, there’s the behind-the-scenes work:

• Double-checking flight plans

• Updating databases

• Making sure every system is synced and solid

It’s not the part that gets posted often, but it’s what makes the flight safe, smooth, and intentional.

There’s something about being in the hangar alone with the aircraft—no noise, no rush, just you and your purpose. It’s moments like these that remind me why I chose aviation in the first place.

Next stop: The Hudson.