Timeout with Dan Bailey

[Viktor]

Bailey flew his plane to Minnesota for the Vikings offseason program this spring. On off days or after wrapping workouts, Bailey would head over to Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie and quickly and quietly join the clouds.


He “kind of buzzed around” northern Minnesota and also flew over the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior this offseason.


We caught up with Bailey for a Timeout.


Q: What is it like to see changes in topography and weather happen in front of you on such a long flight (from Dallas to Minnesota)?


A: “It was definitely interesting. I had some longer flights before. I flew to Indiana to see my buddy and a couple of other ones, but it was really neat to see how the landscape changes as you get farther north. Obviously, it’s mostly flat the whole way, but it was a cool experience. It’s a lot faster than driving up here, too. I enjoyed it. It’s a good time to kind of clear your mind. You’re obviously paying attention to what you’re doing, but it’s good therapy, too.”


Q: Do you have a favorite time of year to fly?


A: “Up here, when there’s snow on the ground, it’s cool. I know last year I went up a couple of times during the season on an off day and it was snowy, so that was kind of different. It’s kind of pretty in a way, but I would say summer, especially down in Texas. Austin and [Texas] Hill Country is really pretty. The only thing is you’ve got to go really early in the morning or late in the afternoon because it’s just too hot, and my plane doesn’t have AC, so whatever the air outside is, is what you’ve got.”