SDFCVOH's Flight training thread.

[skidz]

Don't tell me I think it is you a split second before you got that "I wanna be a pilot" idea?

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by skidz

what happened to the boy in your avatar?

he sees dead people now

[Kevin.Held]

Not to be cheesy but your updates are helping a prospective student who's very close to making that jump into aviation.

Thanks for what you're doing. I hope it keeps going as well for you as it has been.

[sdfcvoh]

DAY8

Long Solo Cross Country (well sort of!)

Today was a day I was really looking forward to - my first long cross country solo. After all of those hours 15 years ago on Flight Sim (and yes - my first flying experience was on version 1 on a 16 color IBM PCjr - state of the art, baby!) I was looking forward to some VOR navigation on my own. The plan was to follow a route down to Bisbee Douglas that I had followed before. That was the plan . . . but mother nature had some other thoughts for the day!

The first part of the flight went great. Heck - I even whipped out my ipod and plugged it into my headset (and for anyone worrying - it cuts out immediately when there is traffic on the radio or even through my mic if i try to sing along! So no sing alongs...)


I finished my first leg and did a full stop down at DUG, then hopped back in the plane after a quick break and got ready to head NNE for the second leg. There were some pretty significant clouds building in that very direction, so I got center on the radio once I got some altitude (mountains) and asked about flight following and any METARS. While talking to a briefer, I quickly realized without anyone's help that I wasn't going to be able to head the direction I'd planned. And after confirming with Center (and these folks are AWESOME) that I would be busting into IFR, I did a 180 back South to DUG. As a matter of fact, I landed in MVRF conditions that probably weren't even MVFR anymore. Without a doubt, the strongest crosswind/gusty landing so far, but it went off great.

After about an hour in DUG, and a couple phone calls to WXBrief and my CFI, I got the okay to deviate from the original plan, and headed due West toward Nogales (OSL), hoping that I could then go north to TUS. As a side note, there is a Restricted area that leaves almost a two mile wide corridor between it and the Mexican border, neither of which I wanted to bust. But I knew this was my only chance to get within 100 miles of home, and not have to sleep in the plane.

When I finally took off from DUG, I realized that I might be doing a bit more MVFR than probably recommended, but I felt comfortable enough to handle the conditions. After passing over P04 (Bisbee) I called up Albuquerque center since I'd gained enough altitude, and asked about some Flight Following through that narrow corridor. Luckily, they Squawked me and passed me off to Libby (the Military command of that restricted space.) There are some pretty decent peaks between Libby and the border, and I was too low for Libby to get me on radar. So I climbed up to 10500 and they picked me up; and let me know that I about needed to get my passport out. Just in time to pick up the VOR out of Nogales and not have to worry about that. The only thing that was a bit unplanned with that portion was that in getting high enough for Libby radar, I started to seriously bust into some IFR. I told Libby center that I was above my own level, and got back lower. (on another side note, I would never bust a cloud just to do it right now, but in this case I thought with the circumstances, a moment above VFR to get a true position was worth it. Plus I knew to fly the instruments only at that point.) Also, I expected that Libby wouldn't be very helpful for some reason, and they were the exact opposite. I'm learning that flying people are good people.

After dodging some clouds and hugging the side of a couple mountains - but not that close - I descended into Nogales. The approach into Nogales from the East is AWESOME! You come down over a couple of ridges right into a left base and a quick turn to final, descending pretty quickly. I got into Nogales just as the weather closed in, and just kicked back in the terminal for the unknown. Nogales, btw, has a great terminal, with some really nice folks hanging out. I can't wait to stop back in someday.

Nogales got seriously socked in, and I wasn't quite sure what would happen since NOAA said it was going to last until after dark. There were even two 1900's sitting there with UPS cargo for PHX that weren't even moving. So I knew my butt was staying put, too.

As things do tend to come together, I ran into a CFII who was just finishing up ferrying a plane from OH to Nogales, and we talked for a while. Turns out, he had to catch a plane out of TUS early in the morning, and was still hoping his ride would show for the drive to TUS. So, to make a super long story not much shorter, we waited another couple of hours until he was comfortable, filed an IFR plan for the trip back, and actually were able to make it back to RYN in VFR, landing just as it was getting dark. Hey - my first night landing, too(well - dusk). So I guess I sort of completed my Solo XC.

All in all a great day. I guess it would have been a shorter day had the weather cooperated, but I liked having to use my head a few times, change my route a couple of times, and do some flying that I normally wouldn't have on any other clear, sunny, Arizona day.

Thanks for reading!

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by Kevin.Held

Not to be cheesy but your updates are helping a prospective student who's very close to making that jump into aviation.

Thanks for what you're doing. I hope it keeps going as well for you as it has been.

I remember reading some other posts when I was in your shoes a very short while ago. I sure hope this helps you make the decision which suits you best!

[NW_Pilot]

Flying around in the pattern is good, doing stalls out in a practice area is even better, but actually getting out there and seeing an entire reigon and all it can dish out is the best. I love to go somewhere when I fly and see what the "world" has to offer, interacting w/ATC & Center is awesome and like you said " Flying people are good people" it's true. Everyone i've ever met in aviation has always been really cool. Great write up and hope to see another tomorrow!

[Crockrocket94]

Love the write ups! Keep em coming

Always good for prospective students!

[skidz]

Your progress is pretty amazing this far. I think it's better to learn to fly by flying often like you do. Sometimes I wish I could have done the same, because it took me about 6 months for my ppl for various reasons. I think you're giving a good example to newbies who are thinking about flying. It is important to have all the funds set up ahead of the training and then fly as much as possible.

[sdfcvoh]

DAY9

I keep saying, "Somebody pinch me!"

After a little ground this morning, I went out for X-Country version 2. Not nearly as exciting as yesterday, but still some weather along the route to keep things interesting. The plan was to head NW out of RYN and catch the TUS VOR to Gila Bend. It was beautiful outside, and I completely enjoyed the first leg. After touching down in Gila bend, I stopped to make sure I was dialed in for the next portion; North up to Buckeye. Buckeye is about 1 mile to the West (maybe a little further) of PHX's class B outer band, so I was careful to stay to the West, and after having a little trouble finding the airport, it appeared to my right just about the time I was going to pull up the GPS to double check my work.

A little story about Buckeye: I stopped in to get some water and talk to a man about a mule, and when I was in the bathroom, well involved, I noticed this nice bold printed sign that said "WARNING Rattlesnake Activity Reported IN and Around Airport Buildings." Guess who took a quick glance under the toilet!? So with no rattlesnakes and ready to head home, I got back into the plane and took off to a basic backtrack of the same route.

As I got close to Gila Bend and hung a left back to Tucson, there were already some dark clouds building. Arizona weather is interesting this time of year, and I'm glad that I'm having to fly through and around some of this stuff, since its great experience compared with the normal clear blue sky. There is a restricted area that parallels the route I was taking SE to Tucson, and unfortunately the weather totally forced me South into it. I had raised Gila Bend AFB on the radio earlier to make sure they knew I wasn't doing it on purpose, and the guy was cool enough to pass me off to their range frequency just in case. The voice on the radio said "There's about a 3 mile buffer South of the interstate before you get into the R-area." ...And since I was totally over that line I told him that as soon as I could go north I would - but there was no way I could get around the weather. Again - cool folks. I like this flying stuff.

A quick IFR note: My CFI told me that a study of VFR pilot crashes when forced into IFR conditions generally resulted in about 45 seconds until impact. The lesson: use those instruments and do NOT trust your inner gyro. Once more: Use those instruments!

Eventually it cleared and I picked up my original radial, onto Marana for a couple TnG's and then back to RYN.

I think my checkride is scheduled for one week - so I'm going to be spending a lot of time practicing maneuvers tomorrow and for the next few days. Until tomorrow!

[sdfcvoh]

Getting Nervous

Well - D-day is fast approaching. I've been studying as much as humanly possible, and feel somewhat confidant about most of the written test. But the Airspace Classes (specifically E and G) are killing me! I've been taking as many practice tests as possible - and although I'm yet to fail one, I'm also yet to get above an 85%. And its always something to do with those two classes, and of course a couple of other bonehead mistakes.

As far as the fun stuff goes - I got another 3 hours in today, practicing Short and soft takeoffs and landings, as well as my first real experience under the hood. Spent about 2 hours total under the hood, and I've got to say its not all that bad - I kind of liked it. I did have a couple of moments to "feel" like I was heading one way, and seeing the instruments telling me just how wrong that "feel" was! Trust those instruments. I'm pretty sure I've never written that.

Gots to keep going on the studying! My written is scheduled for Tuesday, and my checkride with the examiner is scheduled for Thursday.

[NW_Pilot]

Good Luck on your written and your checkride. Keep practicing and studying and you'll be a pilot in no time.

[sdfcvoh]

DAY11

Whew - Friday. I'm wasted after the last couple of weeks. I'm sure this is nothing compared to jet transition - but for me it qualifies as at least something...

Just a short flight this morning for a couple of hours working on maneuvers for the checkride. I'm doing pretty well on everything except I need to get better with the short field landings. I practiced some short field landings today on a pretty secluded airport called Pinal with nobody in the pattern. I actually practiced my short field landings with a tiny tailwind to really force myself into getting the plane slowed down. Then after a while went around and did some normally and they were better. But I'm still a bit hot on them. I'm going to do some mental "chair flying" tonight and then do nothing but short field landings tomorrow for at least an hour before moving into some other stuff. I see no reason to be having this problem - so I need to work through it!

Looking forward to some more solo time tomorrow, and doing nothing but test test test practice over the weekend.
Thanks for reading!

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

DAY11

Whew - Friday. I'm wasted after the last couple of weeks. I'm sure this is nothing compared to jet transition - but for me it qualifies as at least something...

Just a short flight this morning for a couple of hours working on maneuvers for the checkride. I'm doing pretty well on everything except I need to get better with the short field landings. I practiced some short field landings today on a pretty secluded airport called Pinal with nobody in the pattern. I actually practiced my short field landings with a tiny tailwind to really force myself into getting the plane slowed down. Then after a while went around and did some normally and they were better. But I'm still a bit hot on them. I'm going to do some mental "chair flying" tonight and then do nothing but short field landings tomorrow for at least an hour before moving into some other stuff. I see no reason to be having this problem - so I need to work through it!

Looking forward to some more solo time tomorrow, and doing nothing but test test test practice over the weekend.
Thanks for reading!

Got a tip for you bro. For the short field landings, try to find an untowered airport in the vicinity that is at the smallest 3000 ft x 75 or 100. The main thing that you are looking for is a displaced threshold of around 50-500 feet of the first half of the runway. Think about it. If your goal is to hit the numbers every time, you still have a little wiggle room there with a displaced threshold. Most airfields that you might be using probably don't have this....the numbers are just a few feet from where the asphalt begins.

If you can find a situation like that, go with your CFI and practice at least 10 short field landings on that runway. The goal is to put the plane on the numbers. I too was having a bit of difficulty in hitting the numbers when my checkride was near. I got so used to using the PAPI or VASI that I really struggled with having to ignore those aids. My CFI had me do this, and it really helped my anxiety about the possibility of undershooting the runway and landing in the dirt..instead of hitting the numbers.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by Chewie von Nubbins

Got a tip for you bro. For the short field landings, try to find an untowered airport in the vicinity that is at the smallest 3000 ft x 75 or 100. The main thing that you are looking for is a displaced threshold of around 50-500 feet of the first half of the runway.
Hope this helps, good luck!

Excellent - great idea. I'll take a look for a runway like that and give it a shot. I practiced them for about 2 hours this morning and it got better - but I still feel that its a real weak point for me. Thanks so much for the advice!

[NW_Pilot]

One of my instructors took me up to a mountainside strip about 1600x75 with a 1600' ditch for float planes to the left, and trees on the other side, and not much chance for a go around once you were commited to the landing. If you didn't have it nailed on short final that was your last chance to go around. Nothing like a "real world" situation to hone your skills.

Situations like that have made me pretty damn good at short field landings. I've impressed more than one instructor and even the examiner that did my checkride with my short field technique. Of course I had a little more time to practice cuz I had around 60hrs. when I took my checkride.

Just keep practicing those short field landings it could really help you out someday should you ever need to put her down in a small field somewhere.

[sdfcvoh]

DAY12

I almost forgot to post. Hope you all were able to sleep without a post last night .

It was nice to have a leisurely Saturday morning. I woke up naturally without an alarm clock and headed out to the field to practice some TnG's and other flight maneuvers for about 2.5 hours. I actually took the camera up and put it in the back seat for some vids - I posted a quick clip in the youtube section... Unfortunately it was a really overcast day. So I'm looking forward to doing it again.

Doing some night landings tomorrow. I think I need to get 10 full stop landings in after dark to qualify for the checkride. Also, I've been taking online tests at Exams4pilots.org and my scores are getting into the 90's on most of them - so its getting better! Man - I hope I don't bomb any of the real PPL tests.

[sdfcvoh]

I'm thinking its been a couple days now since my last post. Here's the update...

First off - I passed my written test today. That was a big relief. I felt like I'd prepared as much as possible for it - but you just never know... But I got a great grade - and now its onto the checkride on Thursday.

Tonight I flew up North of PHX to a little spot called Deer Valley and did my 10 full stop landings for night. Night flight rocks. Landing is almost surreal, too. It was a great time.

Although the night flight was a lot of fun, probably my most memorable experience was the first "Cleared for Class Bravo" of my life. Flew the East transition over Sky Harbor, which was a great view, and onto Deer Valley, then reversed it on the way home. ...and the air tonight was smooth as silk!

Got to get some rest. Tomorrow's an early morning for a mock checkride, etc. Wish me luck for Thursday!

Until then...

[ARGIEPILOT]

Congratulations on your progress! Wow! Your pace is incredible! Keep enjoying as you go along your wonderful ride. Take your time to savor and enjoy each and every moment of your learning. Time goes by too fast. Getting the pilot license is a great achievement. A personal realization that can be felt deep inside when flying -that was once a dream- finally turns into a reality. All of us pilots share the feeling. Good luck and keep posting. Cheers from South America.

[sdfcvoh]

Yeah! Today I passed my PPL checkride. What a great feeling - and also a great relief.

Of course there's a story to go along with this...

Last night I felt 100% not ready for the ride. I had an absolutely horrid day flying my "test" checkride. It was as if I'd forgotten how to fly the damn thing. I couldn't hold an altitude to save my life, there were updrafts screwing everything up. I was trying some short field landings and absolutely busting all of them. I was petrified! My wife picked me up from the airport last night and I just looked at her and said, "I'm going to fail this thing tomorrow." Of course - any of you out there with awesome wives understand that she did nothing but try to boost my morale for the rest of the evening. Its great to have a rockin' wife.

Last night I started working on the flight plan my examiner had prescribed. After the experience earlier in the day, and being extremely tired, I seriously thought I wasn't going to get it done. He actually gave me a pretty complicated plan with stops at different airports picking up various passengers and luggage. So I had to figure out what fuel to carry from one place to the other in order to be within Weight & Balance. Once that was done (about 11:00pm) I needed to spend some time reviewing the electrical and fuel systems, as well as review weather again and airspace classes. Then, when I was filling in my 8710 I realized that a mistake in my logbook had me 1.5 hours short of the required 40. I finally got to bed at 1:30, and then woke up promptly at 3:00am to get out to the airport in time for another 1.5 hours flying.

The Ride: The examiner was a great gentleman who immediately put me at ease. He asked me tough questions, and at the same time went off the record from time to time explaining more in depth some of the reasons for answers I knew, but couldn't explain in depth. Its always great to talk to a pilot who's been flying since WAY before I was even born. After getting through the oral part, he sent me out to pre-flight and get ready for the ride. He spent probably 15 minutes after my pre-flight going over parts of the plane and designs of the plane that aren't covered in any book I studied, either. It was like I was back in ground school - and I thought it was great.

We took off and started into the pre-described flight plan. Almost immediately he had me change altitude and divert to another airport. Although it was the first time I had done so in the plane, he also had me literally draw a plotter line on the sectional to our new destination, as well as measure it out and use the E6B for the wind adjusted course. All the while I was thinking how happy I was the checkride was going on at 8am and not in the afternoon updrafts! We transitioned into performance maneuvers, stalls and the 45deg'ers. Then we did slow flight, emergency procedures, ground reference maneuvers, and finally landings. All the while he was talking to me, asking me questions and giving input. We were in the air for almost 1 1/2 hours, and it seemed like 15 minutes.

After doing the final soft field landing, he had me transition into a normal takeoff, then said to let tower know we were heading in for a full stop with the next landing. I tried not to start grinning, but you know - it was pretty hard. We landed, taxied onto the ramp. And then the handshake. You know - I get a little choked up thinking about it. There will be many more checkrides in my future. But this one, for me, is pretty special. I can fly.

Thanks for reading!

[skidz]

congrats man, you nailed it so fast I can't believe it.

[88MPH]

Way to GO man!!!! That was faster than San Francisco fog!

Just curious, who was your examiner? PM me, I may know him!

[Ecl!pse]

Congrats and good work! That is awesome! Thanks for the updates as well!

[sdfcvoh]

What day is it? Oh well - I'm done tracking days. But I'll fill everyone in on today's time builder:

My wife and I got out to RYN about 4pm and headed North through PHX, PRC, and eventually to GCN. It was a beautiful flight, practically smooth as glass. We got into Grand Canyon pretty close to sunset - but needed to stop for a quick break. Also - I needed to clean the windscreen desperately. When we were lining up for the downwind I literally had to open the window and poke my head out b/c the glare of the sunset combined with the yuck all over the inside and outside of the windscreen made it impossible to see, and GCN is kind of hidden in the trees with just the CT visible (at least for the first visit.) When you gotta stick your head outside to see, its time to clean the screen...

We took off from GCN and did a quick flight over the Dragon corridor, which was beautiful, although the sun had already set, so we were a little late. Next time my timing will be better!

The flight back was uneventful. It was a calm evening with nice star views and even a few meteors from the upcoming shower. I love navigating at night. The plane we were in has no GPS, so it was old school baby. Just the way it should be at this point of training, too.

6 more hours in the book, and nothing tomorrow - I could use a break, too! Thanks for reading.

ps - Doug, sorry if I dropped my gum on your house. I was aiming for the neighbor's.

[skidz]

Whats next? 2 day instrument course?

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by skidz

Whats next? 2 day instrument course?

I just got hired as CA for Air Force One.