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.

Its a Beautiful Day... Instrument check ride done!!!