N6232DCessna 172N · 1979

Registered to Jav Air Services LLC. Registrant based in Anchorage, AK.

Last night I slept in the FBO lounge chair because my hotel had bed bugs!. on a brighter note i'm technically an international pilot now. Three weeks ago I was still a student. This is crazy.

What the heck am i doing? Are you really going to fly to Fairbanks, Alaska it's 3,000nm! How are you going to do this? ... One leg at a time - sincerely, Jamal's brain

How does that John Denver song go? “So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you’ll wait for me Hold me like you’ll never let me go ’Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane Well, not quite a jet plane—but so long, Iowa. With a full tank of gas, a duffel bag strapped into the front seat, and one final scratch behind Wrigley’s ears, I set off on the most challenging cross-country flight of my career. I departed for Alaska with a commercial pilot certificate in my pocket. But when I left Alaska, I was a professional pilot—with a logbook full of hours, a mind full of lessons, and a world of experience that no classroom could have given me.

I spent several weeks finishing up a survey project in Spencer, IA. While based there i became fairly acquainted with the FBO's only 4-legged employee Wrigley. I was convinced Wrigley had to be the happiest dog in America. She greeted every pilot, on the ramp helped mow the grass and found the best place in the lounge to sleep. Needless to say it was a sad day departing Iowa for Alaska.

Amazing opportunities often come when you least expect them—and sometimes, they completely change the trajectory of your career. While attending an airline cadet orientation, I happened to meet an aerial survey pilot. Honestly, I didn’t even know what a survey pilot did. But after a 15-minute conversation, I knew it sounded like the perfect job to launch my career. She encouraged me to apply, so I took a shot in the dark. A few days later, I received the email I had been hoping for: “I’d like to officially offer you a position—if you’d like to spend the summer in Fairbanks!” I said yes, packed my bags, and headed to Iowa. where i met N6232D for the first time That unexpected conversation became the beginning of an amazing career in aviation. It’s a reminder that one conversation, one opportunity, and the courage to take a chance can change everything

Manufacturer: Cessna. Model 172N. Serial 17272650.