Today's View

 

He did it!

Noah now has his private pilot's license! 

• First discovery flight: April 20, 2022 
• First lesson: April 25, 2023 
• First solo: April 13, 2024 
• Obtained PPL: May 29, 2025!

Philippe, his examiner, and Noah

 

Automotive repair class during vacation

Benjamin avoided a maniac in a blind corner the other day, but didn't manage to also avoid the wall. So he and Frederic changed the door.  

 20 year old minivan, still hanging in there.

Rainy Memorial Day at Belleau Wood

 Noah and I attended a rainy Memorial Day ceremony at the American cemetery in Belleau today. 

Birthday!

We missed Frédéric's birthday last weekend, so we made up for it yesterday.

 

Quick trip to Alabama

 After 99 1/2 years on this earth, my grandma Olgia Rogers Crowe passed on to the next life. She was a steadfast presence in our lives even though we lived far away. We will miss her. 

We took a quick trip to Alabama to join the family in celebrating her life. Despite the sadness of the occasion, we shared good moments with family. Benjamin didn't have any finals, so was also able to meet us in Alabama and then fly back to France with us. 

The Crowe clan

Noah Cognard, Alisa Cognard, Dale & Evelyn Lundy, Benjamin Cognard

Newly licensed driver!

Much to his chagrin, Noah finally got his driver's license before his pilot's license. With his pilot's license test scheduled for next month, it was a close-run thing.

 

He now gets to drive with the scarlet letter on his car for the next two years.  

Easter

We had Easter lunch with the Monnoyeur family at their house in Billy sur Ourcq.

 

Gabrielle, Lily Rose, Maloé, Noah

Frédéric's Easter cake

Gabrielle, Noah, Maloé

Frédéric, me, Lily Rose

One step closer to his pilot's license!

Noah did his "grande navigation solo" today. That means a solo navigational flight over a distance of at least 150 nautical miles and including two landings at two airfields different from the departure point. 

He went from Soissons to Troyes, then Pont-sur-Yonne, and back to Soissons. 

He also had to refuel at Pont-sur-Yonne. 

Before he can take his test, he will do a practice test and a maneuverability flight with his instructor. 

Is it crazy to anyone else that before you can drive alone, you have to get a driver's license, but you have to fly alone before you can get a pilot's license? Just me?

 

More aviation school visiting

 

Another day, another aviation school visit... this time to EPAG NG in Merville, in northern France. 

 

And simulator here, too. 

For those keeping score at home, we had better weather in northern France than we did visiting Cannes, Montpellier, or Nîmes.  

Normandy

 While Noah was in Minorca for a spring break trip with his school, we spent a few days in Normandy. 

 

 

Visit to Agon-Coutainville and the best ice cream shop, La Sucette Chaude

And a walk on the beach. Tide was out.

Anita and Frédéric

Noah's flight yesterday

He flew over our house (bottom left part of the path). 

 

Puiseux en Retz in the springtime

 

Happy Birthday, Noah!