Friendship Airstrip, North Carolina, USA

During Mountain Week, students and instructors camp out in the hangar of Avery Co. Airport and take advantage of the teaching opportunites offered by the Appalacian Mountains.

This includes, but is not limited to, runway survey and marking, STOL operations (Short Takeoff and Landing), Sloped and slanted runway, varied patterns and of course, wind sock placements. And we take it all very seriously.

Touch of Madness

I'm happy with the way this picture turned out. Even my kids immediately cought the humor. The hardest part was trying to come up with a slogan.

Though it probably won't make the cover of Time anytime soon.

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Friendship Takeoff

It was a beautiful day when we arrived at Friendhip. 60 degrees and sunny Carolina blue skys.

Running down the runway for takeoff, the VSI actually shows a 300' per minute descent until you rotate to take off and start your climb. That's because the runway has a 4% slope.

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Eds Shop

A few years has gone by since this hangar was in its glory. With a few letters missing, it took a second glance to realize the actual name is "Friendship".

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TDZ

Even when flying solo, the student is under the watchful eye of the instructor - in this case Scott Paulson sits near the Touch Down Zone measuring the approach angle with an inclinometer - "Nice 4 degree approach, Nathan".

 

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Blue on Blue

The term 'Carolina Blue Sky' doesn't mean much to anyone what hasn't spent time in the Carolinas. Not only does it look better, I think if flies better too.

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