Falcon Journey: It Begins

[Tim]

Thanks..I may try to get there tomorrow if I wake in enough time.

[surreal1221]

Well guys, another week down. Don't really have much to report, except just continued CSEL manuever practice, and finally got back into the DA42 to finish up my CMEL time. Did a IFR XC trip down to CSG to get some more actual time and to get another approach under my belt.

In other news. . .

I have, what I will consider a very valuable source of information. Unfortunately, I can't say that this is going to be the most pretty news that I could have heard about.

It appears that staff members here at Falcon are in collusion with ASA in regards to assigning class dates for Falcon instructors. While instructors from other training facilities are getting their class dates within three days of their sim eval, a number of Falcon instructors have had to wait weeks, if not months - before they find out their class date. Appears that ASA is assisting Falcon in maintaining a staff of instructors sufficient to maintain training.

Take that as you will. . .if you want more information feel free to PM me.

So Max, you may be making the right decision.

[MFT1Air]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your post, man. Glad to see you're having an excellent time throughout your journey.

. . .though not perfect I'm believing, but I know it's fun for you.

Heck, where is Eureka? From what I see, Falcon.

[surreal1221]

I'm having a blast. But I do have a little bit of reservations for the rest of this year and early next year. Really concerned about this latest ASA and Falcon issue.

You lost me with the Where is Eureka comment though man, lol.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

I'm having a blast. But I do have a little bit of reservations for the rest of this year and early next year. Really concerned about this latest ASA and Falcon issue.

You lost me with the Where is Eureka comment though man, lol.

Sci Fi Channel. Kinda like Utopia. It's like the "all is good in my neighborhood" environment.

[surreal1221]

Oh okay, I got you now, lol.

[rausda27]

If it is true that ASA is delaying start dates to protect the interests of one of their line captains, it is crap. Seniority is everything, and if they interview, they deserve the next possible class date.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

I'm having a blast. But I do have a little bit of reservations for the rest of this year and early next year. Really concerned about this latest ASA and Falcon issue.

You lost me with the Where is Eureka comment though man, lol.

So, what're the ASA and Falcon issues that you have serious concerns with? If you'd rather not discuss them on the forum PM me, please!

[surreal1221]

Happy Labor day . . .

I'm trying to figure out where to go today. Thinking CHS, maybe somewhere west. *shrug*

[surreal1221]

Well. . .it was a fine, and very enjoyable Labor day flight to Asheville NC. I'm really looking forward to flying up there in the fall. The whole area looks like it would be very pretty during the late fall / early winter period.

Today was beautiful though. Flew it IFR from FFC to AVL, with N429TS for those wanting to check flight aware.

Our plan was to take one of the Jaguar courtesy cars to grab a quick lunch, but when we get there there wasn't one available. We waited around for about 15 minutes before saying forget it and jumping back in the plane for the trip back home.

Ended up getting a ground stop while we were #7 for depature. The place was packed today. Dausault Falcon's, G-V, a number of various Citation, a high landing LR60. On top of the usual business jets, a number of SR22, Malibu's, Saratoga's, and of course the regular ol' 172 and 182s were all at the FBO, and a combination of these were in line with us.

But anyway - all is well. Even in light of the recent news that I heard. I'm going to keep it in the back of my mind, and look forward to continuing my training, working at Falcon, and seeing what happens over the next 4-6 months. I think that's only fair. A lot can change between now and then.

[Tim]

Josh that the right attitude to have. Things change by the minute, by the hour and by the day in this industry. I do think it would be very very shallow of ASA to delay dates for Falcon instructors at FFC. In 2 months it could FFC could have all new faces because they all got training dates. Look at it this way if that was to happen you would have more students.....

[surreal1221]

Today was continued CMEL practice. Everything is well within standards, just need to smooth some things out. Awaiting some information in regards to the upcoming checkride, so I'll let you guys know when it is all scheduled and good to go.

Also some other great news happened today. The VA finally sent Falcon an updated OLAF (sheet that shows approved aircraft for VA approved training) with the DA42 on it, so now I can finally catch up on some paperwork to file for the rest of my benefits.

[Flyin_Trojan]

That's good to hear abou the VA paperwork.

I'll be coming through the beginning of October for PPL, see you then.

[surreal1221]

Excellent!

[LAFF]

Has the training of Indian students impacted your flight training?

What is the pay like for CFIs?

-LAFF

[surreal1221]

No impact from the Indian students on my flight training.

CFI pay starts @ $12 an hour, progressively increasing $2 per advanced CFI rating (II, MEI, AGI, IGI), and for a number of other things. Such as attending AOPA ASF, or FAA safety seminars. $2 increase per each certificate.

Regular CFI(II, MEI) pay tops out at $22 an hour.

[surreal1221]

More time building in the single. Visibility this morning was horrible, so I spent an hour in the pattern. After that, did a XC over to Athens.

2.8 for the day. Almost there.

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

More time building in the single. Visibility this morning was horrible, so I spent an hour in the pattern. After that, did a XC over to Athens.

2.8 for the day. Almost there.

Same problem with Haze up there that we are having down here? Flew up at 5.5k yesterday for a trip, and it was almost pure IMC. Had to drop down to 3.5k and still a problem with viz.

[surreal1221]

Yeah, it's been pretty bad. Tuesday was the best day though, nearly crystal clear. But - it's back. Vis in the morning is staying around 2 - 2.5 until about 9am, then staying at around 5-6 through the afternoon.

Really sucks trying to do lazy eights without any ground reference points.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by Chewie von Nubbins

Same problem with Haze up there that we are having down here? Flew up at 5.5k yesterday for a trip, and it was almost pure IMC. Had to drop down to 3.5k and still a problem with viz.

HAZE? Ask anyone flying into Houston. It's modus operandi/standard operating procedure.

[Tim]

Same here.....its standard all summer. I will finally fade away at the end of Sept.

[surreal1221]

Well guys, kinda at a stand still right now.

Was hoping for a CMEL w/ CSEL checkride earlier this month, but that fell through due to the examiner not getting checked out in the DA42.

So, back to the regular DPE that we always see up here, great guy, but . . .I don't have a ride until the 24th. Bummer.

With that being said, I have 4.7 hours left to finish up, 1.1 SE, and 3.6 hours ME. Not flying anymore this week, or weekend. Next Tuesday I'll go up again with my instructor in the Twinstar, put the final presses on everything and then looking towards a stage check and end of course ride next Friday in the ME and SE.

My big thing is now with another week to go, I'm not going to do any flying unless it's going to count towards something. No point jumping in the SE to just go fly around, but if it was going to count towards my CFI training, then I'm game. But, it won't because of a number of reasons. First is that I wouldn't be able to count it towards the 141 to make the VA happy because they wouldn't have a CMEL/SEL graduation certificate in their hands, so I couldn't be legally enrolled in the CFI program.

The Joys of 141. . .

I'll actually be teaching a Commercial ground school next week (putting the AGI to work), so if anyone in the Atlanta area needs or wants to attend, give Falcon a phone call.

[surreal1221]

Really not much to report this week. I have an End of Course flight in the twin, and single tomorrow, as well as one more flight Sunday before the checkride.

I have to say though, that my nerves are slowly starting to get a bit "nervous."

Just feel as if this is the one ride that I really have no idea what to expect. . .*shrug*

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Really not much to report this week. I have an End of Course flight in the twin, and single tomorrow, as well as one more flight Sunday before the checkride.

I have to say though, that my nerves are slowly starting to get a bit "nervous."

Just feel as if this is the one ride that I really have no idea what to expect. . .*shrug*

Hey, I've faith in you. Once you're in the saddle, life will be good for you.

[surreal1221]

Thanks man. Had my last stage check/EOC in the twin today. All was well. Saw my examiner today as well, had some questions to ask him. Where he wanted me to plan my flight to, etc. Have to plan a VFR flight to BNA, but with a stop in Knoxville (TYS) to pick up two people, and some business equipment. 170lbs each, and 70lbs worth of equipment. Might have to keep off my "friend" / examiner off at TYS, lol.

Also, I found out today that Emmanuel Lewis is actually training out of Falcon. He is working on his Instrument rating (I think).

I saw him and an instructor in one of our classrooms as I was setting for a Commercial ground school, but didn't really put it all together who he was until just today. Knew he looked familiar, from somewhere, and more importantly, his voice, can't miss it.

But hey, Webster! Seemed like a pretty cool cat.