We took off from Kanab Utah into almost total darkness, 30 minutes before first light. We were VFR but the black hole effect was on my mind. Incredibly, there were only a few lights in view in over a hundred miles. I had just installed an autopilot and it was kind of nice to use it.
I timed it so we would arrive over the main part of the Grand Canyon in time to see the whole show – the “blue hour” before sun up, sunrise and then the gradual and stunning transformation of the Grand Canyon as the sun lit up the walls.
The rising sun, when you think about it, will touch the plane first (since it is thousands of feet above the ground) before it touches the ground. I hadn’t thought about it. So at first it was disappointing that the sun was clearly up but it wasn’t lighting up the rim of the canyon like I expected.
Really, all that time and effort to make this happen and there isn’t a noticeable glow on the canyon walls?
Then the sun hit the canyon walls. Then I thought about it. Then the show began.
West Coast Flying Adventures 
Great video and explanation. Is that
a Piper Tri Pacer?
Thank You.
It’s a Cessna 182. The 360 degree camera distorts things and makes the 182 “squatier” than it is.
Beautiful video and pictures! I owned and flew N3143Y for 15 years all over the West. I bought it from a guy who used it to run his river rafting operation on the Colorado. In fact, you could still see where the paint for “Colorado Grand Canyon” had been removed from the bottom part of the doors. There are some stories about him landing in the bottom of the Canyon back in the day. It was (and presumably still is) a great performer without any mods. It was capable, reliable, comfortable, and light! Your new ride was one of the next off the line, I guess. My one gripe was the lack of elevator authority in the flare with full flaps and forward cg. There are workarounds–carry power, nose down trim, weight in the back of extended baggage, half flaps, etc. I’d be interested to learn what you settle on. It’s good to see you up and about again.
Thanks for the comments! Right now I have some weight in the back and only use 20 degrees on flaps. Right now I just finished putting in 4 more primer injectors (there was only two), and about to install SureFly magneto since my “Shower of Sparks” is failing. It was having a hard time starting but I think this will do it.