A few days off, time to study for CFI School...

Well we are not flying the next few days, while the other two crews have the planes out on missions. So I'm taking advantage of the time off to brush up on things and study for CFI school.  ATP has given me a binder to help me prep for CFI school.  The program is developed, and designed to last two weeks. However the ground school is only one week, and the second week is for the oral and practical tests. So one must go to the school ready with all the written tests taken (FOI, FII & FIA).  I still have to take the FIA test!  As a result I'm studying, going over all basics and learning the theory of instruction (the way the FAA wants it). 

As an instructor for the Navy I'm comfortable and enjoy teaching, but I'm working on learning the theories the FAA emphasises on how to teach.  To help me be best prepared I've purchased the online course to prepare for the Flight Instructor Checkride & Oral exam from King Schools. I used their online course for my private pilot studies, and enjoyed it. As a result I figuared the online CFI course would be a great prep, in addition to all the materials provided by ATP I should be ready!  I'm looking forward to being instructor, but I'm still a little nervous about the exams on the road to being a CFI, CFII & MEI!

Trip to Korea!

Today's flight brought great opportunities. Our mission for the day was to take an Admiral to visit with the South Korean naval leaders and visit a ship recovered after being sunk by the North Korean navy.  The ROKS ship Cheonan was sunk, and captized by a torpedo. The ROKS was sharing the evidence and making a case that the attack was unprovoked and was cleared caused by the ROKN, which they deny.  The evidence speaks for itself, something torpedoed the Cheonan!

Remains of the ROKS Cheonan

Off to Japan for Detachment

Well the last twelve days have flown by and now I'm off to detachment in Japan with the Navy.  I'll be using the time off "flying" to study for CFI school.  All of my classmates have told me what to expect so I'm nervous but excited this is the last step in my training with ATP.  Our first stop is Anchorage, AK if we get in early enough I'll drop off an application with Era Alaska! 

Memorial Day- Bad Luck and Sprained Ankle!

Today didn't go very well!  I woke up early and checked the weather, perfect VFR conditions. Wow, finally the weather blew out, and the conditions are perfect for the ride!

As I'm heading to the airport to meet Steven, it starts to rain. Darn!  Steven and I check the weather and in less then two hours it went to IFR conditions.  So we plan to fly up to Carlsbad with a tower enroute IFR clearance. As we are walking to the plane I notice that it is leaning. What is that about? Then I noticed that the starboard main tire is flat. Great it is memorial day, 7am in the morning. IF we find a mechanic, I reminded Steven we need to figure out why the tire went flat over night.  Then Steven remembered, there was a plane in Carlsbad we could use.  So I called Russ, let him know we are having change of plans but we will be there a little late, but ready to go. 

As Steven drove me to Carlsbad, I studied the Vspeeds for the new version of the 172, and R.   Once we arrive my luck got worse!  As I was getting out of the car, a turned wrong and my ankle rolled dropping me to the ground like a sack of potatoes.  As I hobble to the office, Steven notified Russ that wont be able to take the ride.  Thankfully Russ was his normal caring sole, and understood. We chatted and agreed I'd give him a call as soon as I return from my detachment to schedule my ride portion of my check ride. My discontinuance from Saturday expires on July 25th, so that will work! 

 So now I'm home with my ankle wrapped, on ice. I'm hoping I'll be able to get my foot in my boot tomorrow, for my flight to Alaska and on to Japan. 

Brush Up flights

With the weather being bad towards the later half of the week I didn't get as much practice I wanted for my single engine commercial manunvers. On friday evening, I felt ok about the manuvers after struggling all week but would have desired more time. But the date was set!   So today I took advantage of the sun today and drug Steven to the air once again to boost my confidence and ensure the manuevers to perfect for tomorrows flight portion of my check-ride.  So times God is looking down on ya!

After a couple hours flying around and bouncing I felt much better, and feel ready for the flight portion  tomorrow. Lets hope the weather is good!  Good night for now!

CASEL Checkride!

What a great day.. today I sat for my Commercial Single Engine check ride. With the weather being bad, we knew we were just going to knock out the oral exam and then delay the flight portion for Monday, Memorial Day! Already being a commercial rated pilot, all the PTS required was that I'd  tested on will be performance and systems of the aircraft being used for the check ride and performing the single engine maneuvers. In my case the might Cessna 172!

Cessna 172M

My designated pilot examiner (DPE) Russ, a gentleman I've known for awhile. He was my examiner for my Instrument check ride, so I'm familiar with his philosophy and how much he cares about ensuring I'm the best pilot I can be. 

We meet after a classmates checkride and dove right into the systems on the mighty Cessna 172M, the chosen plane for the ride!  Compared to the Seminole and the 737, its super simple for me so he asked the obligatory questions. Soon we were discussing performance and personal minimums. I shared with him, that my background in the 737 and other jets as instilled a foundation of not ignoring any performance calculations and how I approach a flight.   Lastly we discussed some techniques to being a better commercial pilot, while flying passengers. It is great being able to pickup tidbits from his experience.

 Finally the questions were done, phew.. I passed the oral exam and now I'll knock out the flight portion on Monday. 

Back from Bahrain!

Finally back in my own  house tonight, after 37 days on the road. The deployment was fun and busy, but I'm happy to be home. I love being on the road, but also enjoy my own bed and couch!  No its time to knock out my Commercial single engine checkride.  I'll hit the ground running tomorrow, as a commercial pilot the check ride for single engine priveleges is considered an add on. So as a result the check ride oral exam should be short, and will cover single engine performance and specifics.  I can't wait to go flying again!

Off to Bahrain for Navy Duties!

Well I'm off to Bahrain for detachment with the Navy. The det should be fun, the weather is cool, the riots are at a minmum and I've got the best seat in the house... In the middle! First stop today is Andrews AFB!

First flight with the Civil Air Patrol

Today was awesome.. I was privileged enough to take my first flight with the CAP Sq 57.  We flew up to Borrego Springs to drop two other pilots for training in a G1000 equipped Cessna 172.  The Sq flys a Cessna U206G, basically a utility version of the 206. The flight was planned to allow me to see what a flight is like with the CAP and get accustomed to the plane. Since I'm familiar with the 210, a retractable version of the 206. I've flown the airframe before.  However CAP has their own signoff requirements and I wanted a "familiarization flight" before taking a flight review in the plane.

One thing I didn't take in account was that I was hoping into a plane with three flight instructors. When we all got to the plane they looked at me like I was the pilot in command (PIC), something I wasn't planning for. Once airborne, and on our way I started to laugh, what was i thinking! They were nice, and I pulled off an awesome landing so the flight ended on a great note. I'm hoping when I get all done with the Navy and ATP in August I'll be able to start flying more with the Sq.

Loving Simulators & Dallas

Today didn't go as well as I hoped in the simulator, but this afternoon and evening was awesome!  We spent the day practicing engine out practice, all sorts of emergencies were throw at us. Loss of a cargo (going in to the #1 engine), loss of hydraulics, etc. Unfortunately, on one of the landings / crashes (lost a main mount)  for one of the pilots, the simulator crashed (windows!!!). So the time required to restart the sim, ate into any time they were going to give me. Darn!  With the day over, we headed out or some exercise, and relaxing. We ended up at the Katy Ice House, which is on the Katy trail which winds it way thru down town Dallas.  I was shocked with how many beautiful women we saw! I'm loving TX!  Later we ended up at sFuzzi in uptown Dallas, again so many beautiful women, the food was awesome as well. I'll be visiting again!   I've loving being in Avatition!!

Logging 737NG Simulator time!

Well the past few days have been fun, and educational.  However today was awesome, today I had the chance to get behind the controls myself and try landing a 737NG.  The instructor started me off with a RVR 900 take off, with vectors to the final approach for a CAT II landing.  I was surprised how much control input was required, I was expecting it to be more sensitive.  I used the HUD for the first landing, helping me keep on glideslope, and teach me when to flare.  The first landing wasn't smooth or pretty, but it was on center line and effective. 

The second take off was a RVR 600! It's weird rolling down a runway now being able to see to far in front of you.  But the instruments don't lie!  The second landing was a CAT III approach and was much smoother and wasn't bad!  The last landing was a regular landing CAT I with a 200' ceiling, in the snow with a 12kt cross wind.  Again the landing was smooth, on center line, and right on the 1000' marks.  I'm ecstatic and super happy!  I've just landed a 737NG three times.  All told I logged three instrument approaches, .5 hours of time in a Level D simulator.   They told me I did well for a "novice", and they wonder if I can land with a dead engine. I look forward to trying tomorrow.  Engine out procedures on the slat for tomorrow! 

CAE 737NG Level D Simulator

CAE Simulator.... time for some 737NG simulator time!

Well I'm off to Dallas Forth Worth airport for a week of training in the 737NG simulator.  As part of my crew chief job, I'm required to attend simulator sessions with two other pilots to help them thru their annual training.  And I'm just torn up about it! The navy is forcing me to go to Dallas, hang out in simulators, while learning from more professionals in the field.  I'm hoping to suck up any time the pilots don't use.  Lets see if I can fly the 737!

Gotta make the dough. Trip to Djbouti (HDAM) and back.

Headed off on a five day trip with the Navy... Gotta make some dough to pay the rent. Our first leg was to Jacksonville,Fl ...my old stomping grounds from my early days as a P-3C aircrew.