Every so often, an amazing opportunity lands in your lap. Sunday morning was one of those times, as our family got to take both a helicopter ride and a plane ride, thanks to my son Brandon’s enthusiasm for all-things-aviation recently. Every time he hears something flying overhead, he’s trying to identify what type of aircraft it is. He has books on planes checked out from the library and is the proud owner of a brand new RC plane.

Since we love to support his obsessions interests, we hooked up with a friend to take a “Young Eagle” flight, where pilots take kids for airplane rides to introduce them to flying. While we were out at the airport, we got permission to go take a look at the helicopter that had been doing training flights over our town all week.

The flight crew was getting ready to go out on a training flight and let us take a look at the inside. Brandon had lots of questions and after a few minutes of looking around the crew offered us a ride.

Our answer? An enthusiastic YES!

It was awesome. My first time in a helicopter. (Because really, how many of us have ever had the opportunity to ride in a helicopter?) It was a bit odd to lift straight off the ground. I also didn’t realize how close we would be to the ground — much closer than in an airplane.

Brandon and I made a short video (less than 3 minutes) combining his videography and my iPhone photography, that I’m excited to share with you today. You get to see a little bit of the scenery of the Coast Range and Willamette Valley around Corvallis, from a unique point of view.

We were ALL grinning ear-to-ear as we exited the helicopter. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time. That, and the power of a cute and interested kid. We all agreed afterward that it was Brandon’s interest and enthusiasm that got us the invitation!

If you have a child and live in the US, check out the Young Eagles website for opportunities to get him or her a plane ride.