Today I received my official license in the mail. It only took about 4 weeks surprisingly. It's pretty cool to actually hold it in my hand. It feels kind of like when you graduate from college. You know you have a degree but it's not the same until you are physically holding it in your hands.
For some fun facts....
According to the AOPA Jan. 12, 07 newsletter.
84,866 student pilots
242 recreational pilots
939 sport pilots
236,148 private pilots
130,234 commercial pilots
144,681 airline transport pilots
Due to the economy these numbers have been declining. I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers are now 10% lower!
To get my commercial I have to have 250hrs**. To get my ATP I have to have 1,500hrs**! I've got a long way to go. One step at a time.
**Obviously it's more than just the hours but that's just a simplified reference point.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Weather and TFR's
The weather has been pretty crappy lately. Lots of low clouds, rain, cold, fog etc. I've been grounded for the past week and a half. So no real updates going on here. The president is coming to Indiana today so they have a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) set up over Kokomo, Indiana just north of Indianapolis. So unless I want some f-16s on me I'd better avoid that area.
Thanksgiving is coming up and there are a few things that I am thankful for. Number 1 I'm thankful for my friends and family. They have supported my addiction to airplanes and even this blog!!! Number 2 are all the fellow pilots that have helped teach me, and continue to teach me things. But most importantly I'm thankful for the opportunity to have found something that I truly love and enjoy. It's nothing like having a bad week at work and be able to go for a flight and have all your troubles left on the ground.
My quest for all of you guys and gals out there is to reflect on your life this weekend. Yes the economy sucks, things are bad, but really sit back and realize even though you may have it bad a lot of people have it a lot worse. Be thankful that you have a computer, a home, a warm plate in front of you. I know I certainly am....
God bless the world, and have a safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
Thanksgiving is coming up and there are a few things that I am thankful for. Number 1 I'm thankful for my friends and family. They have supported my addiction to airplanes and even this blog!!! Number 2 are all the fellow pilots that have helped teach me, and continue to teach me things. But most importantly I'm thankful for the opportunity to have found something that I truly love and enjoy. It's nothing like having a bad week at work and be able to go for a flight and have all your troubles left on the ground.
My quest for all of you guys and gals out there is to reflect on your life this weekend. Yes the economy sucks, things are bad, but really sit back and realize even though you may have it bad a lot of people have it a lot worse. Be thankful that you have a computer, a home, a warm plate in front of you. I know I certainly am....
God bless the world, and have a safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Cross Country Time Terre Haute, Indiana
My next goal is to add an instrument rating to my private pilot license. This will allow me to fly into weather that a VFR only pilot cannot fly. In controlled airspace I have to have at least 1,000ft ceilings and 3 miles visibility under 10,000ft. Above 10,000ft I have to have 5 miles visibility. These are the FAA minimums. My personal minimums are 6 miles and 3,000ft ceilings.
Tonight I flew to Terre Haute. Its about 52nm from Eagle Creek Airport. I need to log cross country time for my instrument rating and Terre Haute is right on the border of cross country. A cross country flight is a flight of 50 nautical miles or more. It's also good practice for me because I call up Air Traffic Control and request VFR Flight Following. What this does is puts my aircraft's unique transponder code up on the controller's radar scope. He can then talk to me and advise me of traffic in my area. It's a great thing to do from a safety stand point.
On my way back the sun set and by the time I made it back to EYE it was dark. The air is always so smooth at night. I love flying at night. Plus it's easier to see traffic. I made a firm landing but decent landing, filled the plane back up with fuel, and put the plane away for the next pilot.
Now that I'm safely on the ground. Its time to grab a cool brew and enjoy Monday night football!
Tonight I flew to Terre Haute. Its about 52nm from Eagle Creek Airport. I need to log cross country time for my instrument rating and Terre Haute is right on the border of cross country. A cross country flight is a flight of 50 nautical miles or more. It's also good practice for me because I call up Air Traffic Control and request VFR Flight Following. What this does is puts my aircraft's unique transponder code up on the controller's radar scope. He can then talk to me and advise me of traffic in my area. It's a great thing to do from a safety stand point.
On my way back the sun set and by the time I made it back to EYE it was dark. The air is always so smooth at night. I love flying at night. Plus it's easier to see traffic. I made a firm landing but decent landing, filled the plane back up with fuel, and put the plane away for the next pilot.
Now that I'm safely on the ground. Its time to grab a cool brew and enjoy Monday night football!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Crosswind Landings Explained
To understand what a crosswind landing is you must first understand wind. I'm going to leave out lots of theory and facts to try and keep it simple. So for the techies "Pilot Stig" please excuse me.
Planes prefer to take off and land into the wind. In a perfect world the runway will be aligned with the direction the wind is blowing. When the wind is blowing off center of the runway a crosswind condition exist. The farther the wind's angle between the runway heading and the wind's heading the greater effect the wind has on an aircraft. This effects all aircrafts BIG and SMALL!
Check out the youtube link below to see what it looks like. Notice how the pilot lowers the wing and lands on one wheel first, while using his rudder to align the nose down the center of the runway. This is the proper technique. So next time you land commercially and say "man that pilot came down hard" 9 times out of 10 it was done on purpose and was a very well executed landing.
Crosswind Landing
Planes prefer to take off and land into the wind. In a perfect world the runway will be aligned with the direction the wind is blowing. When the wind is blowing off center of the runway a crosswind condition exist. The farther the wind's angle between the runway heading and the wind's heading the greater effect the wind has on an aircraft. This effects all aircrafts BIG and SMALL!
Check out the youtube link below to see what it looks like. Notice how the pilot lowers the wing and lands on one wheel first, while using his rudder to align the nose down the center of the runway. This is the proper technique. So next time you land commercially and say "man that pilot came down hard" 9 times out of 10 it was done on purpose and was a very well executed landing.
Crosswind Landing
Hawaii (OGG) Kahului Airport, Maui
This airport was awesome! I was still a student pilot at the time so I had to have a CFI on board. It worked out cool because he ended up being a tour guide for my wife and I pointing out all sorts of things as I flew the plane. Pictures don't do Maui justice, but hopefully these videos can give you some sort of idea of the beauty that can only be seen from an airplane.
I have three videos. This is the one of me departing OGG. If you pay close attention you will see me put the aircraft in a crab as soon as I'm airborne due to the 20kt cross winds!!
This video is me doing a touch and go at LUP Kalaupapa Airport. This island is NW of Maui across the channel. It is on the Northern half of the island surrounded by a beautiful national park.
This last video is me landing back at OGG. The controllers told us "Maintain maximum forward speed there is a 767 on 10 mile final behind you". As soon as we landed we turned off on the first taxiway and sure enough the Boeing was plowing right behind us. The crosswind on the landing wasn't as bad, but notice there is definitely a cross wind. The rear passenger can clearly see the center line of the runway. For the non aviators that means the plane is coming in at an angle due to the winds.
I have three videos. This is the one of me departing OGG. If you pay close attention you will see me put the aircraft in a crab as soon as I'm airborne due to the 20kt cross winds!!
This video is me doing a touch and go at LUP Kalaupapa Airport. This island is NW of Maui across the channel. It is on the Northern half of the island surrounded by a beautiful national park.
This last video is me landing back at OGG. The controllers told us "Maintain maximum forward speed there is a 767 on 10 mile final behind you". As soon as we landed we turned off on the first taxiway and sure enough the Boeing was plowing right behind us. The crosswind on the landing wasn't as bad, but notice there is definitely a cross wind. The rear passenger can clearly see the center line of the runway. For the non aviators that means the plane is coming in at an angle due to the winds.
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