Toy Story (Ep. #3)

Happy Weekend, Folks!

Hope you have each had a great week, and that your weekends are productive and/or relaxing (whichever you prefer, if not both.) As I hone in closer on the commercial pilot license, I continue to reflect on the things from my past that have gotten me to this point. As I've posted many a time before, airplane toys have always been one of the major contributors to my aviation "addiction." For this installment of the "Toy Story" series, we examine one of my many P-51 toys!

The origins of exactly how I gained this P-51 are fuzzy to me, but I believe it was acquired from a garage sale by my father (perhaps he can chime in, here.) This toy has good size, and a unique propeller (3-blader on a "D" model) which spun really good when held outside a moving car window. :-)

This P-51 was manufactured by "Gay Toys," and I actually had a toy Learjet made by them as well. You'll not the unique "paint job" that I gave my P-51. My intention @ Age 3 was to replicate the P-51D "Six Shooter," which at the time was based at our National Warplane Museum in Geneseo (then owned by Rick Korff.) Hence, the blue wing and tail. Never underestimate the capabilities of a 3 year old with a blue sharpie! ;-)

"Six Shooter!"

See the resemblance? It's uncanny!

I still have my P-51 to this day. It certainly served an integral role in me wanting to become a warbird pilot! Now, if only I could find a way to upscale this toy, and my Yak-3 model...???

Until next time, "Keep 'Em Flying," and "Never, Never, Never Give Up."

1/15 - CPL Training Update

G'Day folks! Hope you are all doing well, and that 2017 is bringing you great things so far. Let me start of by saying "sorry" for the lack of updates. I have had a few things pop-up in the last week that required my attention, but I am still on my Commercial Pilot License quest! I never let that goal fade, even on a busy day, I try to find some way to make progress towards it. 

1/1/2017:

I "rang in" the New Year by flying with CFI Mike K. We did a few of the maneuvers necessary for the Commercial Pilot checkride. Overall, things went well that day, but the main takeaway was a familiar one..."slow down!" Mike relayed the importance of me making sure I was 100% configured & ready to fly each maneuver, before entering it. Making sure my altitude, airspeed, and heading are all consistent before entering each maneuver will help me fly each one with ease.

1/1/17: CPL Training Flight Summary

1/1/17: CPL Training Flight Summary

- Stalls (Power-On/Off & Accelerated)

- Lazy-8s

Steep Turns

- Slow Flight

1/6/2017:

Drawing from the advice given to me by Mike a few days earlier, I approached my lesson(s) with Sarah with a calmer demeanor, in terms of setting up for maneuvers. The results showed! Both flights went very well. On the 1st AM lesson, we practiced maneuvers, and in the PM session, we focused on performance takeoffs & landings. This is the most confident I have felt both in flying the Arrow, and in the Commercial Pilot Maneuvers. I must have good teachers! ;-)

1/6/17: CPL Training Flight Summary (AM Flight)

- Maneuvers Practice

1/6/17: CPL Training Flight Summary (AM Flight)

- Slow Flight

- Lazy-8s

- Chandelles

1/6/17: CPL Training Flight Summary (AM Flight)

- 8s-on-Pylons

1/6/17: CPL Training Flight Summary (PM Flight)

- Fly to D38 for Power-Off 180 Landing

- Return to KROC for Pattern Takeoffs/Landings

1/6/17: CPL Training Flight Summary (PM Flight)

- Performance Takeoffs & Landings

As I mentioned above, I feel a lot more confident in my "commercial pilot" flying. Sarah and I continue to fly, and nail-down the ground materials. Our goal is to have me teach the ground material back to Sarah, as if I was the CFI. Since I plan to be anyways, it's a solid plan. I will keep you posted (checkride?!)

Constant-Speed Props...FTW!

As important as it is to remain focused on my goal, it is equally important to take time to relax, and enjoy the "little things" in life. For me, this has meant building airplane models with my little bro, David! It has been years since I built plastic aircraft models. I can't quite explain it, but recently I "caught the bug" again. As a result, my brother and I recently bought a C-45 model and began building it together. What fun it has been, and we are almost done, so stay tuned!

Progress!

C-45 Building and CHOCOLATE!!! (Our Fav Spongebob Episode.) Doesn't get any better...

Until next time, "Keep 'Em Flying," and "Never, Never, Never Give Up."