FTY to LGC (Fulton County Brown Field - LaGrange Callaway Airport

I came home to Atlanta for the Christmas/New Year Holiday. As I'm sure you know I could not pass up this opportunity to fly with the nice warm weather down here. I got checked out in a Cessna 172 and rented it to fly down to LaGrange.

The 172 is a high wing plane so it's pretty different to fly. It was a fun experience. The visibility was great. I couldn't have picked a better day to fly. Check out a few of the best shots my friend took above. The lakes in the picture are part of west point lake along the Georgia/Alabama state lines.

Christmas lights!

Last night I braved the 5degree weather and went flying. It was amazing!! The plane performed like a jet. I climbed to pattern altittude before I was on my downwind leg. On a hot summer day I could spend the entire pattern climbing and land before I reach 1000ft agl.

The coolest part of last nights flight was seeing all of the ground covered in snow and the Christmas lights. I wish I had a camera that could show you guys the pictures. Now I see why pilots say cold weather flying is great. No turbulence no bumps.

Winter Blues

The midwest has gotten dumped with snow. Consequently I haven't flown. Not because the runway is full of snow because it's plowed. But because its COLD outside. I'll try to get out to airport and take some pictures. Flying with snow on the ground is a lot different than when you can see the ground. The landmarks and references are all covered in snow. The lakes that you use for references are now frozen over and look like fields....

I'd better be good at using my radio navigational devices.

Official License

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.

Google Maps

Check out the map of the places I've flown.



Google Maps of Airport Locations

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!

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!