Visiting California pilot

This week, we are joined by Kristen Davis, a newly hired Goodyear blimp pilot from our sister operation in California. Unfortunately, I was not able to fly with her the past few days because of high winds and thunderstorms. The down time gave us an opportunity to plan our summer tour schedule and catch up.

Kristen is from Chicago originally and was hired last year as a pilot for our Los Angeles-based operation. I asked her what she liked about flying in Florida. She mentioned the clear ocean water, which offers a great view of the sea life below.

While she is a new pilot for Goodyear, she is far from a "new" pilot. She already has accumulated more than 1,500 hours in the air and has the rare "Lighter Than Air -- Airship Rating" on her commercial pilot's certificate. Because Goodyear blimps are larger airships and feature two ballonets -- one forward and one aft -- instead of one, the company has its own extensive training program that a pilot must successfully complete.

Kristen has done a great job with her training so far, and I wish I had the opportunity to fly with her on this visit. I'm actually going on a short vacation until Friday, and I will miss the chance. I'm headed to Tampa Bay for some fishing....will post some good pictures if we catch anything.