After the Checkride

Go leaf-peeping in New England

Get a pilot’s-eye view of fall colors

If you enjoy viewing autumn’s vibrant colors from a winding country road, imagine the view from the air. Pilots get a unique perspective on those colors writ large across hills and valleys in New England, where summer greens turn to a spectrum of yellows, oranges, and reds in fall.

Online resources such as those from The Weather Channel can help you pick a peak time—after all, you won’t be battling traffic—and you’ll likely have an almost two-month window to enjoy these colors. As a bonus, your airplane will thrive in autumn’s cool, clear air. New England is most famous for its vibrant autumn leaves, but pilots in other areas of the country may be able to catch sight of their own vivid display.