High Flight! Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings

    *Excerpt of High Flight a poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

    When I first met Jonathan Hanson he was working at the front desk of the Aurora Hotel in Nome Alaska. He and his wife are here for the summer. His wife has a summer internship in Nome and Jonathan decided to come along and work at the hotel. After all, he had to come along as there is no road to Nome but Jonathan happens to be an excellent pilot and owns his own Cessna airplane. We struck up a conversation about flying as in the past I had flown a few times with my Aunt Barbie and loved it! The next day Jonathan saw me and told me that he was going to go for a flight in the morning. He then said he had an open seat, and asked if I wanted to go for a flight. WOW! Yes, without any hesitation! Although we’d just met Jonathan struck me as someone who would be a great pilot.

    The next morning he picked me up in front of the hotel and we were off to the airport! His plane was a 1947 Cessna and he’d owned it for more than a year.

    Jonathan's plane
    Jonathan's Cessna waits for us in the morning. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    As he continued to talk about the plane and flying it became even more obvious that this young man (he’s 24 years old) had found a calling that was truly his passion.

    After thoroughly checking the plan, inch by inch-going over every system, we were ready to go. The plan took off easily and soon we were up with the clouds.

    Flying over the R/V Sikuliaq
    Flying over the Research Vessel Sikuliaq! My home away from home for the next 3.5 weeks. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    We flew by the R/V Sikuliaq, my home for the next 3.5 weeks, and then back into the mountains and by Salmon Lake.

    Salmon Lake
    Salmon lake from the air! August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff

    Breathtakingly beautiful scenery stretched out below us and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. Jonathan and I had exchanged short stories for only a few minutes before he thought to bring me flying so that my students back in Springs and the rest of the world could gain insight into the overall landscape of the Nome area.

    map
    Map perspective of Nome's location in Alaska. August 27, 2017. Photo by Jonathan Hanson
    map
    Map of our flight from the coast of Nome Alaska, to the mountains and back! We flew 77 Nautical miles in a little over an hour. Our average speed was 84 knots! August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Want to join us on our flight? Just click on the video link below, sit back and enjoy the ride!

    Doesn't get better.
    Appropriate sign for the day inside the Cessna's cockpit. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Through the Porthole

    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Mrs. Firemark's class at Springs School! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic artwork by Springs School student Isabella V. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.
    Arctic artwork
    Arctic artwork by Springs School student Rorey M. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.
    Arctic organism artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Mrs. Fury's class at Springs School. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic organism artwork
    Arctic organism artwork by students from the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. Flown by Dr. Mike Lowe. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic organism artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork by students from the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    28 August 2017 Llantas arriba en Nome Alaska!

    High Flight! Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

    *excerpt of High Flight a poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

    Cuando primero conocí a Jonathan Hanson él estaba trabajando en recepción en el hotel Aurora en Nome Alaska. Él está aquí con su esposa aquí durante el verano. Su esposa tiene una pasantía de verano en Nome y Jonathan decidió juntarse y trabajar en el hotel. Después de todo tuvo que venir porque no hay carretero a Nome y Jonathan también es un piloto excelente y tiene su propia avioneta Cessna. ¡Hablamos sobre volar ya que en el pasado he volado algunas veces con mi tía Barbie y me encanto! El día siguiente Jonathan me vio y me dijo que iba a salir a volar por la mañana. Después me dijo que tenía un asiento disponible, y me pregunto si quería ir a volar. ¡WOW! ¡Si, sin vacilación! A pesar de que recién conocí a Jonathan me dejó la impresión de que era un piloto excelente.

    ¡La siguiente mañana me recogió del hotel y nos fuimos al aeropuerto! Su avioneta era una Cessna de 1947 y ya la tenía por más de un año.

    Jonathan's plane
    Jonathan's Cessna waits for us in the morning. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Mientras continuaba hablando sobre la avioneta y volar era aún más evidente que este joven (tiene 24 años) ha encontrado su llamado que era su verdadera pasión.

    Después de verificar completamente la avioneta, pulgada tras pulgada revisar cada sistema, estábamos listos para salir. La avioneta despego fácilmente y en poco tiempo estuvimos arriba con las nubes.

    Flying over the R/V Sikuliaq
    Flying over the Research Vessel Sikuliaq! My home away from home for the next 3.5 weeks. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Sobrevolamos el R/VV Sikuliaq, mi hogar durante las próximas 3.5 semanas, y regresamos por las montañas y el lago salmón.

    Salmon Lake
    Salmon lake from the air! August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff

    Breathtakingly beautiful scenery stretched out below us and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. Jonathan and I had exchanged short stories for only a few minutes before he thought to bring me flying so that my students back in Springs and the rest of the world could gain insight into the overall landscape of the Nome area.

    map
    Map perspective of Nome's location in Alaska. August 27, 2017. Photo by Jonathan Hanson

    map
    Map of our flight from the coast of Nome Alaska, to the mountains and back! We flew 77 Nautical miles in a little over an hour. Our average speed was 84 knots! August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    ¿Quieres juntarte a nuestro vuelo? ¡Has click en el link del video, siéntate y disfruta el viaje!

    Doesn't get better.
    Appropriate sign for the day inside the Cessna's cockpit. August 24, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Atravez de la ventanilla

    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Mrs. Firemark's class at Springs School! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic artwork by Springs School student Isabella V. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

    Arctic artwork
    Arctic artwork by Springs School student Rorey M. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

    Arctic organism artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Mrs. Fury's class at Springs School. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Arctic organism artwork
    Arctic organism artwork by students from the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. Flown by Dr. Mike Lowe. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Arctic organism artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork by students from the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Comments

    Tifany G

    Was looking going in the air and looking down constantly nerve racking?

    Tifany G

    Was looking going in the air and looking down constantly nerve racking?

    Jake.K

    Hi Mrs. Seff I was wondering if you were nervous at all when you got on the plane.

    Sandy O

    Were you nervous at one point in the flight?

    Gregory C

    When you were exchanging stories with Jonathan Hanson, did he ever tell you at what age he learned to fly a plane?

    Nichole L

    Wow! Those views look amazing! How long was the flight that Jonathon took you on?

    CorrinaC

    Are you afraid of heights at all?

    Jonathan Hanson

    Our average altitude for the flight was about 1,500 feet MSL (above mean sea level). =]

    Jonathan Hanson

    I learned to fly when I was 18 years old. I’ve had friends who’ve graduated highschool at 17 years old with their private pilot license before even acquiring a drivers license.

    Jonathan Hanson

    The 1947 Cessna 120 has a service ceiling of 15,000 feet but I’ve only ever gotten it up as high as 10,000 feet. The views of Alaskan mountains at that altitude are absolutely stunning.

    Jonathan Hanson

    It takes approximately 15-30 minutes to preflight the airplane before a flight, depending on how cold it is outside. In the winter when it’s snowy, the prep job can take up to an hour or more. It would include removing protective wing covers, preheating the engine, and a standard walk around checklist.

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Nichole! It was an amazing flight!  I think we were up for more than an hour.  I loved it up there!It was neat that we flew over the ship and coastline and then into the mountains.
    (:
    take care, 
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/13/2017 2:06 PM
    Subject: Re: Nichole L commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    (((

    Lisa Seff

    Hi again Corrina!  I actually don't like heights, but only in certain situations....never thought about that being up in a plane though!So I was fine all flight.
    (:
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/13/2017 2:49 PM
    Subject: Re: CorrinaC commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    (

    Guest

    Were you shocked when Jonathan asked you if you wanted to go for a plane ride?

    Sarah Morgan

    Were you shocked when Jonathan asked you if you wanted to go for a plane ride?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi! No, not shocked just very excited!  It was almost like we'd been friends for years.  It just all fell into place and I was very appreciative that he took me for such a wonderful flight!
    take care,
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/13/2017 6:56 PM
    Subject: Re: Guest commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    ((

    Rosa P.

    How long did the safety check last?

    Jaye D.

    Do you know how high up you flew?

    michael m

    Hi Mrs. Seff! Those are some breathtaking photos! How many people can fit into a plane like that? It looks pretty cramped!

    Nora C

    I have heard some pretty crazy stories about being on those types of small airplanes and that they can be pretty scary. Were you ever sacred to be on the plain or were you completely confident that Jonathan would do a great job?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Jaye...hmmm, good question! I would guess we were about 3-5 miles up, but I'll send Jonathan an e-mail and check!(:
    see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 2:27 PM
    Subject: Re: Jaye D. commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Michael-it was a tight fit and not a lot of extra comforts, but on the other hand it was comfortable enough and wow! whata view!
    that specific plane could only fit 2 people.
    see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 3:34 PM
    Subject: Re: michael m commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Nora-you know for some reason I could just tell that he was a really good pilot, and it was obvious that flying was a true passion.  When someone has that much of a love for what they do, you just know that they are really good at it, and he was!I was never even a bit nervous...and going up in a small plane with someone I just met is not a typical day for me!
    (:
    take care Nora, have a nice long weekend and I'll see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 6:56 PM
    Subject: Re: Nora C commented on 28 August 2017 Wheels Off The Ground In Nome Alaska!

    (

    Daniel P

    Dear Mrs. Seff, I was wondering were you scared when you were going for the landing? The photos you took were amazing and I wish I could go flying in plane.

    Kaylynn C.

    How long did it take to make sure that the plane was ready to go? And did you get scared at any point during the flight?

    David Polkowski

    Mrs. Seff, waht was your first experience with riding on bored an aircraft.

    David polkowski

    Mrs Seff, What was your first experience with riding on board an aircraft?

    james B.

    How fast was the plane going?

    Mark D

    Was the seats in the 1947 Cessna Comfortable?

    kimberly B.

    how long did you fly for? and how high can the plane go up?

    Anthony G

    Would you like to learn how to fly a plane?

    Julian DelFavero

    When Jonathan first offered you a ride on the plane were you a little hesitant because you just meet him.