Staccando l'ombra da terra

Today we disconnected our shadow from the ground. Our hope being to take full control once in the cockpit, nose up and joystick in our hand.

A little Coavio DF 2000, an ULM according to Italian standards, lifted itself up in the sky as if that was the most natural thing to do. As if its place was never meant to be on the ground.

But windy weather converted us wannabe pilots back into simple tourists of the air.

Piloting would have been amazing. But sitting in the little plane, floating in the blue sky blessed by the sun is far from being a disappointment - even when hit time and again by a sudden wind blow.

Up to 2000 feet, our lady pilots-in-command headed south over the Lake of Bracciano, turning over the peaceful blue waters, then pointed at the background mountains covered by the recent and unexpectedly abundant snow and finally towards the brown woods, still incredulous of the outburst of a gorgeous March day.

Another of those days when you look down and wonder how you can possibly not have started yet your PPL - money, logistics, north European weather or just lack of resolve?


In any case, it won't be for today that we become pilots, so perhaps a check of the Bracciano lake from a little closer may be a good way of filling our spirits with yet more beauty - as well as our stomach with some tonnarelli alla ricotta and torta della nonna.