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Niko's Wings
United States
Приєднався 13 чер 2009
I fly for fun and business. I use the airplane to visit my customers across the Midwest and now Southeast. I love aviation, I always did. My passion is to learn as much as possible and share the experience with others.
I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. Each video is intended for my own personal experiences and flying improvement, but also strictly for entertainment purposes only. Do not use my video content as information about how to fly an airplane. To properly learn how to fly you MUST visit your local accredited flight school and work with an experienced Certified Flight Instructor.
I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. Each video is intended for my own personal experiences and flying improvement, but also strictly for entertainment purposes only. Do not use my video content as information about how to fly an airplane. To properly learn how to fly you MUST visit your local accredited flight school and work with an experienced Certified Flight Instructor.
450 MILES IN 7 DAYS ZERO FEET ABOVE WATER
I finally did it, going around south Florida in a boat. Some call it the FLOOP, some call it The Smuggler's Run, I call it pure adventure and fun and all within 2.5 hours drive distance from home. All of it could be done in 2 hours by airplane but what's the point of that when you can take your time and enjoy the best of boating life.
This amazing trip took 7 days, 5 locks to cross Lake Okeechobee and 5 fuel top offs. I hope you enjoy this incredible adventure almost as much as I did.
Special thanks to my best friend Nick for taking time away from everything to come help. I couldn’t had done this without him. Also my friends Bryan and Justin with Five Star Yacht Management for helping with the preparation for this trip and the support along the way. Best team!
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Day 1 Boca Raton to Stuart
03:00 - Day 2 Stuart to Moore Haven
08:19 - Day 3 Moore Haven to Fort Myers
14:50 - Day 4 Fort Myers to Marco Island
19:06 - Day 5 Marco Island to Marathon Key
23:05 - Day 6 Marathon to Miami
26:25 - Day 7 Miami to Boca Raton
--------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQs
- What boat is this? This is a 2014 Prestige 500 Flybridge.
- Do you stay on your boat and sleep on your boat? Yes, when I use the boat for long trips I sleep work and live on the boat. This is a very roomy type of boat that some people use as their house.
- Are you changing the channel to a boating channel? No but it's nice to mix the content up sometimes.
- Do you prefer boating or flying? Flying is my happy place but it's also professional work although I'm not a professional pilot, flying is a serious business. Boating now is fun but it too has its challenges. Being a pilot has made me a better boater with a deep understanding of weather, navigation and logistics.
- What do you use to record your videos? I use 3 GoPro cameras (models 10). I use a Sony FRD-AX53 4K camera with mechanically stabilized optical zoom, my iPhone 13 PRO MAX for many of the video shots you see when the 4K camera is too bulky to carry.
- What software do you use to edit your videos? I use Final Cut Pro on a MacBook and iMac
- Where do you find good royalty free video clips? I use artgrid.io
- Do you do all the editing? Yes, all this work other than some filler video clips and music is my work 100%
- Do you promote products? Never! I keep my videos sponsor free and continue have unlimited and unrestricted fun without a "boss" or watching my words.
- Where are you from originally? I was born and raised in beautiful Greece and came to the US as a College student. Loved the Country decided to stay and build my career here. Best decision ever.
- How do you afford to own a boat like this? Boat ownership can be expensive. It is 3 times more expensive maintaining the boat than the airplane and it loses its value twice as fast compared to the airplane, but it's 100% fun.
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com)
On this episode you can hear:
- Bones
- Disruptive Storms
- Slow Beginnings
- SunRise
- Ride Baby Ride
- Kasuga Rain
- Hooch
- Indian Summer
- First Sunrise
- Foxtrot
- Power of Freedom
- Open Seas
- No Hay Trabajo
- Tranquility Coast
- Come 2gether
Also follow me on:
Instagram nikoswings
FACEBOOK nikoswings
Web www.nikoswings.com
This amazing trip took 7 days, 5 locks to cross Lake Okeechobee and 5 fuel top offs. I hope you enjoy this incredible adventure almost as much as I did.
Special thanks to my best friend Nick for taking time away from everything to come help. I couldn’t had done this without him. Also my friends Bryan and Justin with Five Star Yacht Management for helping with the preparation for this trip and the support along the way. Best team!
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Day 1 Boca Raton to Stuart
03:00 - Day 2 Stuart to Moore Haven
08:19 - Day 3 Moore Haven to Fort Myers
14:50 - Day 4 Fort Myers to Marco Island
19:06 - Day 5 Marco Island to Marathon Key
23:05 - Day 6 Marathon to Miami
26:25 - Day 7 Miami to Boca Raton
--------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQs
- What boat is this? This is a 2014 Prestige 500 Flybridge.
- Do you stay on your boat and sleep on your boat? Yes, when I use the boat for long trips I sleep work and live on the boat. This is a very roomy type of boat that some people use as their house.
- Are you changing the channel to a boating channel? No but it's nice to mix the content up sometimes.
- Do you prefer boating or flying? Flying is my happy place but it's also professional work although I'm not a professional pilot, flying is a serious business. Boating now is fun but it too has its challenges. Being a pilot has made me a better boater with a deep understanding of weather, navigation and logistics.
- What do you use to record your videos? I use 3 GoPro cameras (models 10). I use a Sony FRD-AX53 4K camera with mechanically stabilized optical zoom, my iPhone 13 PRO MAX for many of the video shots you see when the 4K camera is too bulky to carry.
- What software do you use to edit your videos? I use Final Cut Pro on a MacBook and iMac
- Where do you find good royalty free video clips? I use artgrid.io
- Do you do all the editing? Yes, all this work other than some filler video clips and music is my work 100%
- Do you promote products? Never! I keep my videos sponsor free and continue have unlimited and unrestricted fun without a "boss" or watching my words.
- Where are you from originally? I was born and raised in beautiful Greece and came to the US as a College student. Loved the Country decided to stay and build my career here. Best decision ever.
- How do you afford to own a boat like this? Boat ownership can be expensive. It is 3 times more expensive maintaining the boat than the airplane and it loses its value twice as fast compared to the airplane, but it's 100% fun.
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com)
On this episode you can hear:
- Bones
- Disruptive Storms
- Slow Beginnings
- SunRise
- Ride Baby Ride
- Kasuga Rain
- Hooch
- Indian Summer
- First Sunrise
- Foxtrot
- Power of Freedom
- Open Seas
- No Hay Trabajo
- Tranquility Coast
- Come 2gether
Also follow me on:
Instagram nikoswings
FACEBOOK nikoswings
Web www.nikoswings.com
Переглядів: 20 175
Відео
EVERYTHING AGAINST ME: Diverted by Storms & Low Fuel - Live to Fly Tomorrow!
Переглядів 23 тис.3 місяці тому
Join me on a tense flight in my Cirrus SR22 Turbo, as I navigate towards increasingly severe weather challenges while returning to Boca Raton from a successful board meeting in New York. Initially aiming for a fuel stop in Savannah, I soon encounter a rapidly worsening weather scenario including thunderstorms, low visibility and cloud ceilings, icing, windshear, while dealing with possible low ...
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE SLOWER...
Переглядів 35 тис.5 місяців тому
On a flight with my Cirrus SR22 to New York City's Teterboro things don't always go as smoothly, being the bumpiness down low, the crazy traffic, the fast talking air traffic controllers and it seems that everyone is faster than you... I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intended for my own personal experiences and for entertainmen...
Flying Your Daughter to the Movies - Niko's Wing Tips - Exploring Boca Raton, Florida
Переглядів 15 тис.7 місяців тому
In the Niko's Wing Tips series of videos I will be flying to random Florida airports for the day. without a plan, and see what can be done either by a crew car, uber or taxi service or within walking distance. Boca Raton, Florida, is not only where we live, but it's the place in Southern Florida you want to fly to, either for a quick lunch stop, or business meeting, or to have a wonderful dinne...
Flying Your Daughter to Lunch - Niko's Wing Tips - Exploring LaBelle, Florida
Переглядів 37 тис.7 місяців тому
In the Niko's Wing Tips series of videos I will be flying to random Florida airports for the day. without a plan, and see what can be done either by a crew car, uber or taxi service or within walking distance. There's always a wonderful surprise and LaBelle, Florida was no different. And having the best company ever, my daughter Zoe, was a blast. I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my vi...
IFR to Boston For a Burger and Beer
Переглядів 22 тис.Рік тому
On this 3rd day of this big adventure, the mission was to fly to the Boston area but had to plan a fuel stop since the weather in Boston was not great and didn't want to risk a low fuel situation. I filed IFR to Penn State and then continued on to Norwood Municipal thru storms and having to circle for a while to wait out the weather. I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not ...
REAL LIFE OF A PILOT - SAFETY FIRST - TOO MANY STORMS AND CANCELLATIONS
Переглядів 20 тис.Рік тому
On this second set of flying I had to cancel some flights and miss events due to storms passing through the midwest. But safety first is priority. Big lesson learned here. Watch this first ua-cam.com/video/nY8jeVPkFyg/v-deo.html I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intended for my own personal experiences and for entertainment purpo...
ARE YOU DECLARING A FUEL EMERGENCY?
Переглядів 43 тис.Рік тому
On a long cross Country flight to Chicago, the goal was to do the long segment on the first flight and leave the shorter leg for the second flight. That first segment was planned for Bowling Green, IN, 711 NM away, but with the routing, stronger headwinds than predicted and weather approaching sooner than expected, things had to change... a LOT... I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my v...
INTO THE NIGHT STORMS, Thank you Moonlight for Paving the Way
Переглядів 27 тис.Рік тому
The next day, on the return flight from Chicago back to the Miami area, leaving later in the day, with Fall weather rolling in and storms south of Savannah, the moonlight was paving the path, but would it be enough to get me home safe into the night storms? I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intended for my own personal experience...
Flying my Cirrus from Miami to Chicago IFR and VFR at 16,000 feet with Oxygen
Переглядів 48 тис.Рік тому
On this routine business flight I got to experience some beautiful scenery along the way and received excellent service from ATC. Flying at 16,000 feet with oxygen ensures a restful flight and feeling great at the destination albeit the 6 hours flight time. Hope you enjoy. I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intended for my own per...
Departing VFR from an International Class Bravo Airport
Переглядів 15 тис.Рік тому
After the island hopping trip and dropping Stef off in Miami it was time to fly home to Boca. This is a VFR flight almost in its entirety showing all the steps along the way, VFR clearance, flight following, shoreline transition through several airspaces and landing in Boca (KBCT). Enjoy! I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intende...
IFR to Miami International - Cirrus SR22T
Переглядів 13 тис.Рік тому
At the end of the island hopping trip I had to drop Stef off in Miami, so we decided that Miami International would be a great experience and as convenient as possible for Stef. IFR to Miami it is, direct from Key West. I am NOT a Certified Flight Instructor and my videos are not for instruction purposes. The video is intended for my own personal experiences and for entertainment purposes only....
Navigating Weather Over The Bermuda Triangle
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
After having to cancel our flight to Cayman Islands due to Cuban airspace restrictions, @StefanDrury and I decided to head back to the US to spend some time in Key West. But on a Sunday customs are not widely available so this became a bit more complex. Flying over the Bermuda Triangle can be a bit nerve wracking at times. Check out Stef's UA-cam Channel here ua-cam.com/users/StefanDrury Watch ...
I GAVE MY AIRPLANE AND LOOK AT THE SHIPWRECK
Переглядів 11 тис.Рік тому
On the 2nd day of our Carribean adventure, @StefanDrury and after a wonderful stay in Grand Exuma in the Bahamas, we had to fly to Provo of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Then I decided to give @StefanDrury the airplane to fly... Check out Stef's UA-cam Channel here ua-cam.com/users/StefanDrury Watch @StefanDrury version of the same day ua-cam.com/video/FXQJILkzygE/v-deo.html I am NOT a Certified ...
WE SURVIVED THE OCEAN CROSSING
Переглядів 17 тис.Рік тому
Flying across open water calls for survival gear. You need to be prepared and on this episode will see some of that good stuff in preparation for an island hopping adventure with my friend @StefanDrury Check out Stef's UA-cam Channel here ua-cam.com/users/StefanDrury Also, check out Stef's version of the same mission here, same story different narrative and prospective: ua-cam.com/video/HKGhZE3...
STRANDED IN THE DESERT, ENGINE WON'T START
Переглядів 47 тис.Рік тому
STRANDED IN THE DESERT, ENGINE WON'T START
What the Perfect Flying Day Looks Like
Переглядів 13 тис.2 роки тому
What the Perfect Flying Day Looks Like
What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS
Переглядів 20 тис.2 роки тому
What Happens in VEGAS Stays in VEGAS
7 HOURS IN A SMALL AIRPLANE and Discovery of an American Gem
Переглядів 28 тис.2 роки тому
7 HOURS IN A SMALL AIRPLANE and Discovery of an American Gem
FASTEST ICING EVER, and FUEL PUMP PRICE GLITCH
Переглядів 50 тис.2 роки тому
FASTEST ICING EVER, and FUEL PUMP PRICE GLITCH
2000 Miles in a Small Airplane and a Lifetime of Memories
Переглядів 137 тис.2 роки тому
2000 Miles in a Small Airplane and a Lifetime of Memories
How to Buy a Boat by Using your Airplane
Переглядів 20 тис.2 роки тому
How to Buy a Boat by Using your Airplane
TERROR IN THE COCKPIT... Stung by a Wasp...
Переглядів 30 тис.2 роки тому
TERROR IN THE COCKPIT... Stung by a Wasp...
Flying for a Good Cause and OMG The Haze...
Переглядів 20 тис.2 роки тому
Flying for a Good Cause and OMG The Haze...
Bad ATC Service and Worst Static Ever... But Beautiful...
Переглядів 33 тис.3 роки тому
Bad ATC Service and Worst Static Ever... But Beautiful...
Great to see you Niki and something different, sweet boat!
🤙
Awesome! 🙏🏼💯✈️
How many hours have you got on the plane
Just over 1,000
Hey Niko, which cannula headset mount do you use?
In the Description
Achor alarm app 😜and you sleep well.
Amazing! love the BGM.
Just watched your IFR check ride video. I've got mine coming up soon! Any extra tips? New sub!
Thanks. Get good sleep, eat well, have your stuff ready for the examiner, simple tings like your ID already out. Don’t have him ask for it, make his job easy. If you don’t know something say so. It’s ok. The first five minutes of you seeing the examiner he will know whether you will pass or not. For the flying part of you make a mistake correct it, we are humans. Good luck!
@@NikosWings Thanks, Niko! I'm enjoying your videos and I hope to catch you around some day!
lovin' that yacht!
I hope you get your plane working better . Stay safe.
Excellent PDM Niko! Never push your own limits or those of the A/C. Many experienced pilots with lots of hours flying a well equipped A/C find themselves in trouble because they don't know when to call it a day and park the A/C and wait it out! Excellent decision making Niko!
Man this is old! I’ll bet you’re still flying this Cirrus SR-22🤣🤣
Check some of the newer videos
Nice to see your boating adventures showcasing Florida 🛥️
Back in the day we called that a $100 hamburger. Sadly it is probably 4 times that now.
This was a $272 trip with fuel and food excluding built in maintenance costs lol
Nothing compared to cruising the Greek isles! 😀
The Greek isles are great but unorganized in terms of marinas, you have to be ready to spend time anchored out or must go early enough to bribe the dock master to get a spot, and services are non existent like water etc. fuel is also not widely available and expensive and the season is very short. The Aegean is almost impossible to cross in the windy summer months. Trust me I’ve done it all.
Thanks so much for sharing your Life with us! I really enjoy your videos!
that was an excellent checkride example
I enjoy the boating vids almost as much as the airplane vids. Hopefully there’ll be more.
Oh Lord, I’ve been there done it. It’s so much fun when the family is young like yours, it will become the money pit of a lifetime eventually so… In the meantime, enjoy every minute of it.
It is a money pit already
@@NikosWings although this year we’re low on rain and the depth across Lake Okeechobee is questionable, if you ever get the opportunity, definitely do the crossing from Stuart to Fort Myers or vice versa. Probably one of the best trips I had, including getting some lock experience.
That’s what this video is all about. Now sure I understand what you mean
Just about finished getting my PPL and now this??
It will make you a better captain when you get your boat
Awesome video. Sweet boat. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
I'm clearly not living right!
Weather ballon!
Great travel time, even on the water. Thank you for this stunning ride along!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have a Grumman AA-5 Traveler and a 40’ Carver Motor Yacht in Charleston SC. I’d love to give you a ride on either or both if you’re ever back in Charleston.
That sounds amazing! I’ll go with both!!! How’s the boating there?
Much like what you went through. You have to follow the channel markings with the bigger boats. Especially in Charleston harbor.
This was super awesome Niko, and fantastic editing! I had no idea you can navigate right across Florida like that. Definitely a bucket list thing to do. 👍
Awesome video! I have always been curious to see the "boat's eye view" of going through locks and now I know :)
You need to come to Maryland for a really good crab cake.
Oh I’ve been… it’s out of this world
👍✅ Small planes and big boats, my favorites🏝 Tks Niko👏 And the surveillance blimp.
Great video!! Enjoyed seeing the sights from the ground. Coastal Blimp Radar doing its job.
Is it a blimp ?
Yes it does drug run surveillance but it’s supposed to get decommissioned
Fun easy trip. Had my boat in Sarasota going to and from the Bahamas.
Love the video and yes I see the tethered balloon 🎈.
Rock solid controllers at KOWD!
Amazing adventure, your boat rocks !
Thanks for sharing! Awesome videos no matter what you are driving!
Niko's boat
Now,the Great Loop
👍
Which do you prefer boats or planes.
Both for different reasons
Pretty awesome Niko...planes, boats....any Hot Rods?
Love my Porsche
Good to see another great video! Thank you Niko! Safe Travels!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Keep up the amazing content!
Thank you! Will do!
You have gotten so good at videos Nico. I get to get my flying fix thru you since I am a grounded pilot due to injuries that made me to dangerous to fly.
Sorry to hear that man. I’m glad you like the videos
@@NikosWings Watching you fly I see just how good of a pilot you are.
We need a Nikos Cruiseariera channel
My parents undertook the same journey in a 28 foot Silverton flying bridge in the early 1970's, except they started and finished in Key West where we lived. Thanks much for helping me see what they saw!
Next time I’ll do it the other way and include Key West as well. Thanks for sharing
We parked the airplane and have been sailing the last 6 months from Miami through the Bahamas, and all through the Caribbean on our 55' sailboat "Airspeed".
I want to be like you one day
Love this video! My wife and I have made most of that trip several times in our Ranger Tug. It was good to see Sanibel Marina was back up and running, one of our favorite places and they still have fresh blueberry muffins delivered to your boat in the morning! Thank you for the memories Niko.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing nice boat looks like a lovely trip to do Yamas
Blimp- marks No fly?