After a very busy month, I have a bit of free time before the next step of flight school.
I'm not entirely pleased about the wait.
I would really like to keep working, but I'll take a brief chance to rest some, catching up on hours lost over the past month. Maybe take those golf lessons I'd intended to take. Also improve the tan, which is decent but doesn't look Floridian, to be sure. I'm also excited to spend a bit more time at church, with friends, and picking up some hobbies I've forgotten.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Penultimate
It's getting close. IFS, this first phase of flight school, has come to the end. I'm flying for the last time this morning. The trip calls for a direct flight from Mobile to Gulfport, MS. It's so cool up there - I've done the trip three times. Now, I'll do it alone, to showcase and cap my experiences in this program.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Destination-Moving
I left the friendly confines of Mobile for a new state and airport. Flew to Gulfport, Miss., home of casinos and a beautiful view of the ocean. It was pretty wild.
The hardest part of all these trips is the radios. I'm constantly in contact with different air traffic folks, at various levels. Imagine calling for permission to drive to work, giving your boss updates every few minutes on where you are. By the way, if you deviate for coffee, he/she's got you on radar.
More than ever, flying is fun. I enjoyed my short little flight, and I get to do it again tonight, once the sun has set. I can't wait.
The hardest part of all these trips is the radios. I'm constantly in contact with different air traffic folks, at various levels. Imagine calling for permission to drive to work, giving your boss updates every few minutes on where you are. By the way, if you deviate for coffee, he/she's got you on radar.
More than ever, flying is fun. I enjoyed my short little flight, and I get to do it again tonight, once the sun has set. I can't wait.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Right Decision
I flew from our airport to the south, doing all things on my own, with no instructor in the plane. After an hour and a half out there, I came back to the airport for four landings.
Today's flight has begun, in me, a love in aviation. I got to appreciate flying this morning. It's so cool to see the world from the air. Until now, I hadn't really enjoyed the view, being so conscious of my instructor's constant guidance. I navigated, avoided other planes, and talked the radio like a pro...I think, at least. My morning gave me comfort with my plane and with my career for the next ten years.
Today's flight has begun, in me, a love in aviation. I got to appreciate flying this morning. It's so cool to see the world from the air. Until now, I hadn't really enjoyed the view, being so conscious of my instructor's constant guidance. I navigated, avoided other planes, and talked the radio like a pro...I think, at least. My morning gave me comfort with my plane and with my career for the next ten years.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Alone
They let me fly the plane all by myself.
I arrived in Mobile early Saturday morning. Still winds and cool air made my first flight of the day easy. It was a cumulative test. I did really well on the oral exam and aced all but one of the maneuvers. If you ever want me to circle your house in a constant circle, I might have to say no.
After that, I did some landings. They were good enough that my instructor got out of the plane at the control tower. He broke out his binoculars and watched, as I did some more landings by myself. It was wild.
I talked to the tower, fought the wind, made turns in the traffic pattern, and set the plane down three times. Still here to talk about it.
I arrived in Mobile early Saturday morning. Still winds and cool air made my first flight of the day easy. It was a cumulative test. I did really well on the oral exam and aced all but one of the maneuvers. If you ever want me to circle your house in a constant circle, I might have to say no.
After that, I did some landings. They were good enough that my instructor got out of the plane at the control tower. He broke out his binoculars and watched, as I did some more landings by myself. It was wild.
I talked to the tower, fought the wind, made turns in the traffic pattern, and set the plane down three times. Still here to talk about it.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My place
Down in Florida, I have a pretty sweet apartment. I live near base and the beach, in a complex called Countrywood at Blue Angel. My single is comfy, with my big red couch, new tv, and great appliances. I love the gym, which I use daily.
Florida has been nicer than I expected. I love the sun and the humid, long-anticipated rain. With white sands and nice water, the beaches are perfect. I want to get out there soon.
Flying over Mobile, I have rekindled my affection for that city as well. I ran a marathon there in 2005. That run traversed the whole city, through charming neighborhoods, small college campuses in town, and the small downtown area. We get to see lots of that from the air, as well as the beautiful salt marshes to the south along the bay. Forrest Gump's second hometown, Bayou La Batre, is also along our regular route.
I feel pretty settled down here. Good friends, great weather, some fun with running and golf, and a job that's getting more interesting and fun.
Florida has been nicer than I expected. I love the sun and the humid, long-anticipated rain. With white sands and nice water, the beaches are perfect. I want to get out there soon.
Flying over Mobile, I have rekindled my affection for that city as well. I ran a marathon there in 2005. That run traversed the whole city, through charming neighborhoods, small college campuses in town, and the small downtown area. We get to see lots of that from the air, as well as the beautiful salt marshes to the south along the bay. Forrest Gump's second hometown, Bayou La Batre, is also along our regular route.
I feel pretty settled down here. Good friends, great weather, some fun with running and golf, and a job that's getting more interesting and fun.
Improvements
After a very rough Monday, things got better on Tuesday and Wednesday. I landed well, doing it without thinking I would die. Some of the more difficult maneuvers, like steep turns, went much more smoothly. Most importantly, I enjoyed myself a bit.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Not All Days...
It seems that I've regressed just a touch. Yesterday showed some weaknesses in some maneuvers, likely brought on by a break over this last weekend. I double-hopped a landing and had trouble with a few stall-type things. Strangely, the things I did well were those things that confounded me last time.
Go figure.
In other news, I'm keeping afloat thanks to a great study buddy. We did a take-home test last night to the sounds of the Home Run Derby (Sad that wasn't won by Pujols, who seemed so earnest in trying to win it for host-town St. Louis). Good guy to chat with and a solid pilot. Today, I'll try to see what he's doing and do likewise.
Go figure.
In other news, I'm keeping afloat thanks to a great study buddy. We did a take-home test last night to the sounds of the Home Run Derby (Sad that wasn't won by Pujols, who seemed so earnest in trying to win it for host-town St. Louis). Good guy to chat with and a solid pilot. Today, I'll try to see what he's doing and do likewise.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Blue Angels
Today they came to Pensacola Beach. Followed by a build-up of several acrobatic airplanes, the Blue Angels screamed inward from the water. They peeled off, and performed stunning tricks for 45 minutes. I was like a kid, all excitement and few words.
The pilots did barrel rolls. Near misses of eachother. Flying in formation - maybe 20 feet separating the planes. All of the tricks were pretty exciting to watch.
The pilots did barrel rolls. Near misses of eachother. Flying in formation - maybe 20 feet separating the planes. All of the tricks were pretty exciting to watch.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Raw Nerves
Reminds me of kayaking. First, they get you comfortable with the easy stuff. Turn right, turn left. Then, day 2 means...what to do when the (feces) hits the fan. I found out today.
Sat in the back seat while my buddy Brandon stalled the aircraft, intentionally, to practice stall recovery. This means making the plane un-airborne, so it starts to slip out of the sky. Scary. In the back seat, I am helpless to the mayhem in the front seat. For a moment, I nearly quit aviation.
Then I got a crack.
These stalls are much more fun up front. From there, you can recognize the signs of impending doom and fix things. I enjoyed that part much better.
Still not very good, to be honest. I have a taste for flying now, but landings, maneuvering, and stalls are getting me down. Plus side - I can get that old Cessna lady off the old ground without much trouble.
Day two was pretty fun, I'll be studying and trying to make day three even better.
Sat in the back seat while my buddy Brandon stalled the aircraft, intentionally, to practice stall recovery. This means making the plane un-airborne, so it starts to slip out of the sky. Scary. In the back seat, I am helpless to the mayhem in the front seat. For a moment, I nearly quit aviation.
Then I got a crack.
These stalls are much more fun up front. From there, you can recognize the signs of impending doom and fix things. I enjoyed that part much better.
Still not very good, to be honest. I have a taste for flying now, but landings, maneuvering, and stalls are getting me down. Plus side - I can get that old Cessna lady off the old ground without much trouble.
Day two was pretty fun, I'll be studying and trying to make day three even better.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
First Day - Up There Quickly
Hey from internet land!
Finished my FAA Exam today, meaning that I can start putting ground school principles into a real, live airplane. Little did I know that the practice also began today.
Today's flying was fantastic and scary and loads of fun. My buddy flew first, then they put me at the sticks. I was crazy nervous, pouring sweat. Take that plane to the runway. Talk to the tower. Then, hit the throttle and take off! Yep, no help on that, they threw us in. It was a hideous climb but we got into the air.
As you might guess from this blog's title, I had a bit of trouble with altitude control. It's surprisingly tough to keep that plane level in the sky. So next time you're in a commercial jet, thank that pilot extra for his/her smooth flight and sweet landings.
Speaking of those, I did 4 today. Instructor demoed, and then I flew the traffic pattern and landed that Cessna beast on the asphalt. It wasn't pretty, once again. Bounced on one. Hit hard the other time. But that second landing...I couldn't feel my teeth rattle, so it must have been alright.
Hot up there. Shower now.
Finished my FAA Exam today, meaning that I can start putting ground school principles into a real, live airplane. Little did I know that the practice also began today.
Today's flying was fantastic and scary and loads of fun. My buddy flew first, then they put me at the sticks. I was crazy nervous, pouring sweat. Take that plane to the runway. Talk to the tower. Then, hit the throttle and take off! Yep, no help on that, they threw us in. It was a hideous climb but we got into the air.
As you might guess from this blog's title, I had a bit of trouble with altitude control. It's surprisingly tough to keep that plane level in the sky. So next time you're in a commercial jet, thank that pilot extra for his/her smooth flight and sweet landings.
Speaking of those, I did 4 today. Instructor demoed, and then I flew the traffic pattern and landed that Cessna beast on the asphalt. It wasn't pretty, once again. Bounced on one. Hit hard the other time. But that second landing...I couldn't feel my teeth rattle, so it must have been alright.
Hot up there. Shower now.
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