Winging It

Good for Another Two Years

December 11, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom

I passed my 3rd class medical today so, I am good to go for another two years. This one is a medical only, no more student certificate. I put the old one in a safe place though. It is a keepsake of my student days.

Feeling Like a Real Private Pilot

December 7, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 6 COMMENTS

We had to wait a while but, I finally took my wife for an airplane ride yesterday. Having a non-pilot passenger for the first time helped me realize that I really am a private pilot now. We had heavy snow Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Thursday started out clear but the ATIS was reporting 7000 […]

Not Using the New Certificate

November 28, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 3 COMMENTS

I haven’t had a chance to fly since getting my private pilot certificate. I am trying to take my wife up as my first real passenger but, between aircraft maintenance, crummy weather and the Thanksgiving holiday, we just haven’t been able to get a flight in. We will keep trying though. I started studying for […]

Where Will I Go From Here?

November 18, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom

Getting that private pilot certificate opens up the whole world of aviation to us. So, where in that world will I go next? I have some ideas for the short term but, I also know that my goals will certainly change with time. The first use of my new certificate will be to take my […]

Thoughts on my Private Pilot Training

November 17, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 6 COMMENTS

I am going to split this training wrap up into two parts in the interest of brevity. First, some thoughts about flight training in general and about training for the late bloomer. The second post will be more about where I plan to go from here. Your comments on both topics are encouraged and welcome. […]

Private Pilot, Airplane, Single Engine, Land

November 16, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 20 COMMENTS

For all of you who thought I would never get this private pilot thing finished (including me at times), I did! It has been a long road with a lot of starts and stops, highs and lows but; I saw it through and this morning I was handed a temporary airman’s certificate. Yep, I am […]

Lesson 112 – The Real Final Tuneup

November 16, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom

Sunday was supposed to be the last training flight before the re-test but, Monday morning was IFR so I didn’t get it done then. Tuesday and Wednesday were windy with gusts over 30 knots so I canceled those too. Today is a repeat of Wednesday. I canceled with the DPE but kept the airplane so […]

Lesson 111 – Final Tuneup?

November 11, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 4 COMMENTS

The weather was marginal today but, we were able to get out in the pattern for some fine tuning before the re-test. We did seven good touch and gos in an hour of pattern work. This was probably my best landing session yet and I feel ready for the DPE. Unfortunately, the TAFs for tomorrow […]

Lessons 109 and 110 – Getting Ready for the Re-test

November 8, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom
/ 2 COMMENTS

I was scheduled to fly on Tuesday but, the winds were gusting over 30 knots so we pushed the flight to Wednesday at 3PM. The plan was to go to Westosha for some more landing practice. On the way there, I was under the hood. Actually, I bought a pair of foggles and used them […]

Lesson 108 – Short Session in the Pattern

November 5, 2007
/ flying
/ By tom

It was another busy week at work so I only had Sunday to fly. I was scheduled at 2pm but, Sandy called before I left home and asked if I could make it later. Another student had taken the airplane on a cross country and was delayed getting back. We pushed the time back an […]