"Day Off"

Today was a day off from school, simulators and flying.  I can't say I didn't study. I reviewed and will continue to review things tonight, but have spent a good deal of time reading, taking a nap and doing laundry.   Its nice to relax and read some of the Aircraft Owner and Pilot's Association (AOPA) magazines I have stacked up.   

Plus, Saturday is "Ice Pilots" day.. so I had to watch that too.  Hoping to get a good nights rest!  Hopefully tomorrow's weather will be great!

Great Day in the Simulator.. Finally!

Well today was a short. I spent the morning studying and  running around dealing with stuff for my divorce, afterwards I headed to the school to study before my ground and flight.   The bummer part, the weather never improved so we didn't get to go flying again! 

So Matt and when over some ground study and then off to the simulator we went.  I was starting to dread the simulator, but today's session worked went well.  Matt threw all sorts for emergencies and events at me.  I did well, handling the engine issues airborne and on the ground.  I wasn't perfect but I'll take it.  I'll head to the simulator tomorrow to practice some more. With my last simulator session burned up, all we have left is 8hrs in the plane before my check ride on thurs.. 6 days to go.  I'm not as nervous yet!  This test will only cover the new items that pertain to multi-engine theory and maneuvers.  With the weather not expected to be better tomorrow, Matt and I are shooting to go flying sunday afternoon.  I hope so!  If not, we may have to push my check ride back.  

This evening I started to study the principles of instrument flying, with instruments being my next course of study, I figured I'd get ahead start knowing I'm taking next weekend off to spend time with Dad for Fathers Day and to go shooting! 


Well not much to report tonight.. till tomorrow

Weather Strikes Again

Today was a later day planned to meet up at 1pm, to head out for a flight.  I spent the morning, working on my memorization of check lists and procedures.  To aid my efforts I headed off to fly the simulator to fly it by myself.  After a couple hours in the simulator I was feeling better. Unfortunately the weather was bad, so Matt and I canceled our flight, and spent some time going over more systems and aerodynamics.   It's basically repeative, so I'm finally starting to get it.  I feel a little foggy this week, not grabbing theories as quick as I'd like.  I think my divorce proceedings are distracting me a little.  I'll get through it though! 

After a couple hours of ground work, I headed home asking Matt to save the last of my eight hours alloted time for the simulator til I felt a little more prepared to make my time more efficent and get more out of the simulator time with Matt.  

The rest of the evening will be spent studying procedures and aerodynamics!  

More Simulator Work....

Well today wasn't too exciting, the day was spent going over multi-engine aerodynamics, systems and theory.  After Matt and I reviewed the ground school items, we worked in the simulator for a couple hours.  We spent more time going over engine out procedures and how to handle them. I'm still getting accustomed to the simulator and how to fly it. Its so sensitive!  But I'm starting to get the hang of it.   I spent this evening studying and reviewing the tidbits.  Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be good enough to go flying.  Til tomorrow!

Multi-Engine Aerodynamics, the Sim and when the Doo Doo hits the fan!

Today was filled with more wonderful knowledge testing. Matt and I went over systems again, covering hydraulics, electrical and the constant speed propellers.  The nice thing about my next test, is that it’s a additional rating. Meaning it adds to the knowledge I have being a Private Pilot.   So the new materials cover aircraft systems, aerodynamics of two engine aircraft, and how to fly them when  the doo doo hits the fan.  The truth being is that if things go wrong at the wrong time, one may not have too many options, but to avoid hitting people and hard objects!   As aviation icon Bob Hoover stated so well.. "If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible."  

After the ground work, off to the wonderful simulator we headed.   Once in the simulator, I had the worst luck. I had three engine failures, three bad alternators, and engine oil issues.  Someone needs to check the maintenance records!   Matt was testing my handling of emergencies.  .  By the time it was all over I was really frustrated with my performance.   But I did land a two engine airplane with only one running!  Matt was kind as he reminded me I needed to work harder at memorizing my emergency checklists, as he reminded me the flying skills will come.   Luckily we’ll be flying tomorrow. See ya simulator!

The remainder of the evening was spent filling out flash cards and memorizing procedures.    Nothing too exciting, but I’m one day closer to the check ride.

First Day At Airline Pilot Training (ATP)

The first day at ATP was good.  We spent the first couple hours going over paperwork and getting settled. First we scheduled my multi-engine check-ride for the 16th! Yikes..that sent my head spinning a little when I started to think about it. In ten days I'll be taking another check-ride!  Oh well that's what I signed up for. Matt (new instructor) and I went over the basics of the Piper Seminole, covering the mechanics of the plane.  After a tour of the plane and pre-flight walk thru, I was sitting in the simulator.  The first flight was basics, engine starts, landing, getting accustomed to using adjustable pitch props and etc.  Matt warned me the simulator was touchy, but I had no idea. I couldn't hold altitude to save my life, I'm thinking Matt slipped me a beer!  After awhile I was able to keep it a little under control and was able to pull off some OK landings.  After awhile in the "torture chamber" I was getting the hang it, but not liking it.
After two hours we finished and it wasn't soon enough!  The sucker was touchy! ..   Matt gave me some homework, and instructions for prepping for tomorrow and I was headed home at 4pm!

The evening, was spent going over the Seminole manual and completing the homework for tomorrow and the rest of the week!  Man I'm gettting too old to study everynight til 10!

Enough for now!  

$860.00 Eggs Benedict- 8.6hrs of Cross Country time

Today was a long but an awesome flying day.. I logged 8.6 hours of flying, all cross country time.  As planned I got up early and was headed to the airport by 7:20 am. After pre-flight and arranging the cockpit I was off into the morning sun. 

California Mountains

I was headed to Ryan Airport, near Tucson, AZ. The goal being lunch at Todd’s Café.  The route took me along I-8, with a good view of Mexico. The weather was great so the visibility was over thirty miles.  My flight path took me past NAF El Toro,  MCAS Yuma, the desert sand dunes, Phoenix and south along I-10.  

NAF El Toro

 

  As I flew east, I kept pulling the power back, hoping to make the flight longer, while saving fuel. The speed was working out to be 90kts..  

As I crossed over the AZ border, the heat began.   

California Sand Dunes

Even at 7500’ it was getting warm.  I used flight following from San Diego and wasn’t 

disappointed. The controllers are true professionals and took care of me again.  As I approached the Tucson airspace I was handed off to Ryan tower.  With the airport in the desert, I had a hard time finding the airport. With helpful point from the tower I was soon lined up for landing. With the heat , the performance was weak.  It was taking a lot to drive the plane to the runway.  When I landed the temp as 34 degrees C, not too bad.

The tower gave me directions to fuel islands and Todd’s Café.  As the engine stopped I had flown 3.8 hrs hours down. Only 4.6hrs to go.   After filling up the plane (21 gal.),  I headed  in for some lunch.  I had read reviews their eggs Benedict were great, so being a fan I ordered up a plate.   The service was great, and soon I was enjoying a large glass of lemonade with Eggs Benedict.  

  I did the math and found I had averaged 92 kts and burned 5.6 gals per hour.  Not too bad,  thirty dollars an hour in fuel, vs thirteen an hour in a car.

After a wonderful lunch I hopped in the plane for the return leg, this time I was taking the long way.  My return trip would take me north by Phoenix, and then west towards Palm Springs, and then back south over the Julian VOR, and back to Montgomery.  I did some quick calculations to see how good or bad the performance would be.  It wasn’t going to be bad, but not great.  Once airborne the plane climbed slowly, after ten minutes the plane can clawed its way to 8500 feet, my final altitude.  I pulled back the power, hoping to make the flight home 4.6 hrs.  The trip past Phoenix went well, as I headed west the visibility started to drop. The fires in California, was pushing the smoke into a thick layer at the CA/AZ border, extending to the Salton Sea. 

Smoky Haze over California Border & Salton Sea

I wondered if it was going to stop me from getting over the mountains to Montgomery.  My path paralleled I-10, the views were great.  The flight was going well. As I approached the CA border, the winds started to pick up, at one time I notice a ground speed of  58 kts (66 mph). The cars on I-10 were passing me! 

But I was building time.  I wasn’t worried I had plenty of fuel, and the plane was sipping it at 5.6 gals an hour, giving me 8.5 hours of endurance.   However I didn’t need to fly slower, I would get my 4.6hrs in, so I pushed up the power.  Still not blazing up the skies, but I wasn’t being passed anymore.   Soon I found myself getting into the smoky haze,  I descended  to stay in the clear.  Once I got over the Salton Sea, I was able to climb back up 8500’.   Soon I picked up the Julian VOR. The news wasn’t good,  I was going to get my 8.4hrs plus!  My ground speed as only averaging 63 mph.   I battled head winds for another half hour; soon I was over the “hill” and headed to Montgomery.   The descent and approach to Montgomery was uneventful. 

As I touched down on 28L I was glad to be done, but super happy.  I had completed 8.6hrs of flying, so I can start school tomorrow.

I tied down the plane, and headed home.  I walked in the door at 5:30 after stopping for some fast food for dinner!    So now it’s time for a good night’s rest and school at 8am tomorrow!