Pilot Partner Air Database

<< See All Flights

Flight Summary

4th of July Fireworks in a Bonanza

I experienced the 4th of July Fireworks from above for the 3rd time.    This time we took our 1980 Bonanza A36TC.   Flying at 22" MP and 2250 RPM, we were burning 13 GPH doing 120kts TAS.  I took my girlfriend and her mother with us for the 1st time.

Windy Night

It was a very windy night up there.  As you can see by my FlightAware track, my ground speed changed quite a bit on each orbit around the town.

Flying The Fireworks

If you've never flown over a fireworks display, I highly recommend it.  I also highly recommend good planning and thinking of the things that could go wrong.   

Some of the things to consider:

Avoidance of other Aircraft

Your biggest risk is flying in busy airspace with other aircraft. You are not the only one who thinks it is a neat sight to see.   This year there were up to 5 aircraft orbiting over Austin.   I highly recommend choosing controlled airspace to do this in.  This fireworks display was in Class Charlie Airspace.  Working with Austin TRACON was easy.  They were very helpful to us and set us up at 500 foot intervals.  They made sure that we located the other traffic and then pretty much left us alone unless there was a hazard that we needed to be aware of.   I wouldn't try this in uncontrolled airspace without Flight Following.

Keeping Altitude

Once you are assigned an altitude, be sure to stick right on it.   This year I flew with an autopilot, but my last two trips I didn't have an autopilot.  So both are possible.  I used my autopilot this year because it would stick to my altitude well.  I just kept turning the knob to make my turns.   

Flying First, Look Second

If you are PIC, remember you are up there to fly and avoid the other aircraft.  Bring friends or family along to enjoy the show and take pictures (with flash turned off).   As the PIC, you will not get to enjoy most of the show, and that is alright.   We are there to fly.  

Emergency at Night

What would you do if your engine quit?  Plan your out.  Remember you are flying at night and there are a lot of people right below you.   If my engine quit on this flight, I had 2 parts of the lake picked out that was far enough from the show that it would not be very populated.