[The last renewal of this page: Januray 28, 1997]

"Honda Aiport" in Okegawa City, Saitama

For those who are living in a country where the small aircrafts are commonly used, this would not be something to see. However, like in Japan, where very very few people has experience with aircraft, this small airport is really something special to see.

On January, 20, 1997, I fortunately had a chance to let Cessna fly controling flightyork and other instruments, at the first time in my life.

After the take off when the Cessna reached to 1,500feet of altitude, Captain Honda of The Honda Airways Co.,Ltd. let me to control the plane. " You have control!" I had no way to response "I have control", but took firm hold of the control yoke, and found my heart beats meeting with the reactions and vibration of the ailerons and elevator of the plane. We flew over Omiya station turning right to Kawagoe city, and after passing over Kitain-temple of the city, made another right turn to get back to the air- port in Okegawa city. The captain helped me all for touch down, but I was happy that the trainning I have been done on the Microsoft P/C Flight Simulator helped me all especially making Base turn and Final turn including aligning the runway. Thus, my first experience of flying air- plane was over succesfully. I could not get asleep at that night.


The main building of The Honda Airways Co.,Ltd., and a part of hangar facilities. A Van with a banch of antennas is my radio car.


Okegawa Advisary Station on 130.75MHz is in a trailer-house! (As the runway is built in a dry reverbed, any fixed structure in the area is prohibited.) In weekdays, when there is less traffic, the radio is ope rated in the radio facility in the main building out of the reverbed.


Myself with the Cessna172 which I contoroled to let it fly at the first time.


Instruments Panel of Cessna172 (from my seat).


Set the COM Frequency on 130.75MHz for Okegawa Advisary.


Captain Honda prepares for depature, explaining and showing me how to do one by one. Why all the Captains in the world are so kind, polite, reliable and patient....


Everything is ready, and start taxing for Taxi-way.


"Hold Short of Runway14" Get clearance for Take-Off.


"Cleared for Takeoff!" Here we go!


Cessna is so light in its weight, and has took off at once.


After reaching crusing altitude of 1,500feet, The Captain let me have control!


I couldn't help paying attention to the insturments rather than outer view. Let's maintain 1,500feet! Is it a bad habit learned by tarinning with the Microsoft PC Flight Simulator? Captain Honda doen't care a lot the instruments but is watching outside!


Over the JR-Omiya station, we made a right turn for Kawagoe city.


Altitude meter says we are at 1,700feet. Woops! 200 feet higher...


Getting back to Okegawa-city, we made right turn for the Base-turn.


Align Runway14.


At the final, I asked Captain for all assist.


Touch Down!!


Get back to the Parking area.


I do appreciate captain Honda, and Mr.Kouyama(JR1DNH) who has introduced me to the Captain and took video from the back seat all the way on board for having the dream come true for me!!



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