Settlin' In

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.

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.

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.

Flyin' Blind

I flew with my eyes closed

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.

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.

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.