Simulators and Bookwork!

Well over the last few days I've spent time flying the simulators (at school and home) to en-grain a consistent pattern to my flights. And when not doing that I've been looking for weak areas in my IFR knowledge.  Nothing too exciting but I'm making progress each day I fly three or four approaches I've never flown to see how I do and gain experience. I'm hoping to take my check ride at the end of the month after a trip for the Navy (gotta make some money!).  Overall I'm happy I've chosen to step back and get more experience before I move on. In the big picture I'll still be a certified flight instructor after starting no with certificate in five months, and doing it in an enjoyable way. (the whole goal in my career change).  Plan to relax the rest of the weekend and get some chores done!

Second Evaluation Flight...

Well at 7am Brett and I were headed airborne for another flight.  This time Brett was looking to find the problem areas (yesterday he wanted to see how I did on my own). During the flight, we shot some approaches I'd never seen before to see how things went. After landing we went over my strong and weak areas. Overall I'm close but I need to hit the books, practice in the simulators and some more flights. Overall Brett noticed that I haven't developed a consistent pattern to my set up for each approach and en-route work.  Brett reminded me of the metradome theory he'd taught me during my VFR flying. I should have a constant rythem to getting things done and keep looking for things that need attention.   We agreed to meet later in the day for some ground work, to test my oral knowledge for my next check ride.   I spent the rest of the day studying and going over non-published holds with Jared.  This afternoon I met with Brett and thankfully he only found a few holes in my knowledge, nothing that can't be resolved with some flash cards!  We chatted about my plan to get done and agreed it would work but I needed to find some cash for flight time. Overall I was happy but mentally tired!  

First Flight Cessna 172 and IFR at that!

Well today was successful in some way and no so in others. I met Brett at 7 this morning and soon  we were airborne headed out to test my skills. In theory, Brett didn't give anything that was too crazy or above my skill or knowledge level but I still struggled.  A small percentage of the challenge was my unfamiliarity with the plane, but that was not the majority of the issues. After the flight we went over my weak and strong areas, he told me to relax the skills will come.  On the bright side my first landing in a 172 was smooth as silk!
  As luck would have it my sister and her family were in town so I spent the remainder of the day with them at the U.S.S. Midway Museum.   During the visit I was able to chat with Dale regarding my flying troubles, he told me not to stress about it and take the check ride when I was ready, reminding me IFR flying if done wrong can be deadly unlike being a VFR pilot.   Overall the day was educational and fun, it was fun to hang out with the nephews.

Too Rusty...

Well I was skeptical and for a good reason. The first flight back in the air wasn't as bad as my instrument ride (nerves) but my skills were rusty and I had forgotten some basics.  Leaving me in the need of some re-training, and now were close to a check ride (at-least in my opinion) Since I'm at the end of my instrument training I'm out of multi-engine time with the school, so any time I fly the Seminole I am burning time against my cross country hours I need to have for my commercial certificate.

So I had to come up with a plan today!   Honestly I was little perplexed on my next step.  Jared was confident I'd get it and we could push past things.  But I wasn't so sure.  So the first thing on the list was to call Joe and cancel the check ride for tomorrow.  While talking with Joe I asked for his advice.   And what I received as some wonderful advice and backing.  He was happy I called myself and knew my own limits. (made my day!) He reminded me that I'm new to the IFR world and being gone would a little to get back to where I was. Additionally he gave me some idea on how to get past my problem with nerves. Another wonderful example the advice available from your local designated pilot examiner (DPE) if you ask. Remember they are there to help and develop pilots.   With his advice I called Brett and asked if he was available to give me some IFR training. Luckily he was and we have flights scheduled in a Cessna 172 for tomorrow and Wednesday.  I'm hoping Brett will be able to find the little items that I can't put my finger on but know I'm missing to gain the strong confidence and skills I want and desire before my next check ride.  So this evening was spent going back over the IFR notes with plans for a early morning flight with Brett tomorrow.

Hours in the simulator, knocking the rust off.

Well I've spent that last few days knocking the rust off in the simulator. It's been over 50 days since I've flown a plane so I needed to get the hang of things and recover my scan.  So after five days of flying the simulator I'm headed to the sky tomorrow. The goal is to clean things up and take my re-ride for my instrument test tomorrow.  I'm a little skeptical but Jared my instructor is optimistic.