Through my adventures with Watertown Tourism, I’ve built some great relationships with pilots and staff at the Watertown Municipal Airport. Over time, a few have kindly offered to take me up for a flight—but thanks to some persistent nervous jitters, I’ve always responded with a polite “no thanks.”
Logically, I knew there was nothing to worry about. But still, the idea of hopping into a small plane felt a little too intimidating.
That changed this past year when I joined the Leadership Watertown class. One of the opportunities? A scenic flight. This time, I wanted to go. I psyched myself up. I took the flight. And I loved it.
If you’re someone who gets the same butterflies at the thought of a small-plane ride, this post is for you. I’m walking you through the experience with honesty, from start to finish.
Before takeoff
I flew with another Leadership Watertown classmate, and we met in the terminal building while our pilot, Sam, ran through his pre-flight checks. The plane was parked just outside the terminal doors, so we had a front-row seat as Sam worked through his checklist.
As we waited, we chatted with a couple of airport employees. The atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming. Everyone we spoke with had such a deep love for flying and so much experience to share.
Before long, Sam came inside to gather us for our ride. We figured out who would sit up front and who would ride in the back, and then Sam gave us a quick tutorial on how to board the plane: grab this bar, only step on the black areas, slide in, buckle up, and once the engine starts, put on your headset.
Getting in was easier than I imagined. I’m on the smaller side and thought I might struggle to reach or climb in—but I was surprised at how compact the plane was.
Takeoff
Sam explained that we’d taxi out to the runway first and then do an engine check before taking off. I probably knew this happened on every flight, but hearing it out loud was a little reminder: the engine is very important—and we’re making sure it’s working properly. That gave me a tiny flutter of nerves, but Sam’s calm, matter-of-fact approach made it clear this was just standard procedure.
He revved the engine, and before long we were taxiing toward the runway. Takeoff came almost immediately. I decided to focus on videotaping the moment. I figured if I kept my mind on something else, I wouldn’t have time to overthink. It worked.
There were a few bumps, but nothing unexpected.
The Flight
We were in the air quickly. A few banks brought a few bumps—totally normal—and before I knew it, we were at cruising altitude, flying over familiar landmarks. I spotted the quarry, a few recognizable businesses, and Watertown High School. Naturally, I snapped a photo of the school and texted it to both of my sons, telling them I was flying right over them. (Sorry, teachers! Hopefully they didn’t get the message until their lunch break!)
Watertown High School
Watertown Hospital
Watertown Farm
We followed Highway 16, and in just a few minutes, we were over Ixonia, and then Oconomowoc.
Downtown Oconomowoc
DockHounds Stadium
Not long after that, we passed over Jefferson, cruised over Johnson Creek, and headed back toward Watertown.
Johnson Creek Outlet Mall
Back to Watertown
The flight was magical. It was a cloudy day, which turned out to be perfect—no glare, no harsh shadows. Just rich greens, winding waterways, and a beautiful patchwork of fields and property lines. It was so calm, so peaceful. I had expected to feel like we were way up in the air, but honestly, it didn’t feel like that at all.
From takeoff to landing, the flight lasted about 40 minutes. At one point, my flying partner, Kris, asked how fast we were going. Sam told us: 110 mph—slower than usual because of a headwind. Kris said it felt more like 10 mph, and I couldn’t agree more. We had so much time to take everything in. That speed genuinely surprised me.
Landing was smooth and uneventful—no drama, just a gentle descent and touchdown. We taxied back to the terminal, already chatting about how great the experience was and who we could gift with a scenic flight of their own.
Looking back, I feel a little silly for ever being afraid to fly in a small plane. Honestly, it was far less dramatic than any commercial flight I’ve taken—and I’ve taken plenty.
Your turn to fly
The Watertown Airport schedules scenic flights by appointment. Book it for yourself, or purchase a gift card and share the skies with a loved one. It’s a terrific gift for engagements, weddings, graduations, and all special occasions, large or small. The cost at the time of this publication is $115 for a 40-minute scenic flight. The number of occupants depends on weight, but usually includes two – and sometime three passengers. Contact the Watertown Municipal Airport to book your adventure!
About the Author: Robin Kaufmann
