Happy Weekend!

Hey all! Just wanted to pop-on and quickly wish you each a great weekend. Here's hoping you each find progress in your individual goals and dreams. You inspire me to chase mine each and every day.

Enjoy this quick vid I snapped yesterday, a lazy Friday evening up at the Rochester Int'l Airport (KROC), where I train...

Talk to ya soon! As always, "Keep 'Em Flying," and "Never, Never, Never Give Up!"

The Help

Greeting, folks! Hope you had a good weekend. :-)

I'll lead this entry off by confessing something profound, I did not fly at all this past week! But, that is fine by me, as with aviation training, most of the "grunt work" is done on the ground. This weekend, I did a lot of things that are going to set me up for some progress here, in the very-near future. Also, in aviation, one finds that giving, and receiving help, go hand-in-hand.

For starters, in the last week, I earned my "Sign-Off" from Gleim to take my Commercial Pilot's Knowledge Exam (aka, the "Written" Exam.) Since then, I have taken numerous "practice" tests from both Gleim and ASA, scoring well. I plan to take the written next weekend.

Next, I took a jaunt down to my annual Family reunion in Olean, NY. En-route home, I made a stop to visit one of my dear friends, the Hinsdale F-4 Phantom!

"Based" at the Hinsdale, NY VFW, this F-4 has been a frequent "haunt" of mine ever since my father found his birth-family resided nearby. The Phantom is a truly-cool aircraft.

A few days back, I got a note from my good friend George T. A long-time fan of aviation, and a student pilot himself (yes you are, George! I saw the pics of your lesson, it counts!), Mr. Trovato has been very supportive of my goals and plans. He offered me the chance to take a few of his flight-simulator controls off of his hands. This generous offer was met with a hearty "yes, of course!" from yours truly. My "bounty" came yesterday AM, before I left for Olean. Thanks again, George! All the best in your flight and pilot journey, from here on out!

My desk/cockpit and I approve!

Meanwhile, at the Air Centre, I still await the return of the PA-28-200R to continue my Commercial Pilot training. Rather than grow impatient (which is easy for pilots to do), I jumped at the chance to help out my fellow aviator. Matt S. is a friend of mine up at RAC, and a private-pilot himself. He's currently nearing his Instrument Rating Checkride. Seeing as how I just recently completed my IFR, his instructor Mike S. asked if I'd be willing to sit down with he and Matt to do a "mock" IFR oral exam. I totally agreed to! The "exam" went very well, and I think (scratch that, I know) that Matt will do a great job. Keep up the good work, buddy!

That's all I've got, for now, but stay tuned! I expect another post very shortly, here...

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

Bookwork

Hey gang, hope you're doing great! A quick update for y'all. As a await the return of our flight school's Piper PA-28-200R "Arrow" from maintenance (to continue my Commercial Pilot Training), I have continued to prep for the written exam. As I mentioned earlier, I am using a mix of Gleim and ASA materials. So far, I am doing well. 

"C'mon home, baby!"

There are a few types of questions that I keep seeming to err. I am seeking advice on these from fellow aviators, and learning accordingly! Such items I plan to focus on are HSI/RMI readings (tho this may be somewhat obsolete), weather (fronts, lapse rate cloud formation), and just over attention to detail. It is easy to read a question too fast, and overlook an important word, critical to the correct answer.

So, I leave you with my Commercial Pilot "Study Jam Session," from earlier today! Metallica in the background always helps me focus...

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

Early-August Pilot Journey Update

      Happy Weekend-end, all! Hope that each of you has found success in your individual endeavours this week, whatever they may be. It is my hope that this blog inspires each and every one of you to pursue your dreams and goals. This past week has been most eventful, and successful, for this little pilot journey of mine.

      For starters, I comtinued to "push on" through the Gleim Commercial Pilot ground school course. I have progressed to the final stage-tests, which overview everything I've studied thus far. As for physical flying, lots got done as well.

"A good pilot is always learning."

Wednesday 8/3/16

      I had the privilege of flying the Air Center's Cessna 172M, N998RA, down to Jamestown Aiport (KJHW) for scheduled radio maintenance. After work, on Wednesday, I hopped up to KROC to pick-up 8RA and swung her down to KJHW. The flight was beautiful! Smooth, and scenic the whole time. I made it in ~1 hour, averaging ~108 KTS.

8/3/16 Flight Summary: KROC>>>KJHW

1.) Depart KROC

2.) Arrive KJHW

Just plane beautiful...

Yours truly!

Nice company @ KJHW, a Gulfstream...

      So, with me now in Jamestown with no airplane to fly back, how was I to get home? Well, luckily (unlike most things in aviation), we had a plan in place! Isabel, Charlie H., and myself had pre-arranged for Charlie to pick me up @ KJHW in our Center's Piper PA-34-200T Seneca. Needless to say, I was most excited to get some more multi-engine time. Charlie took-off shortly after me, from KROC, and arrived in KJHW ~5 mins after me. Not bad!

      After a quick restroom-break and chat with the FBO crew, Charlie and I were off, back to KROC.

Lots more knobs and switches than I'm used to, for now...

We're just getting started...

      I was very observant of Charlie as he started the Seneca, and I continued this "hawking" throughout the flight. For me, this is "free" training, seeing how it's all done. One of the 1st things I noticed was how the Seneca climbs like a bat outta, well...ya know... ;-) With 2 O-360 engines, which are both turbocharged, this should come as no surprise. Furthermore, I noticed just how critical power/prop control are in complex airplanes. Finding the right "mix" is key to efficient flight. Most manufacturers list these figures in the Pilot's Operating Handbook, so studying/memorizing them is key. The flight back was great! We really hauled, and made it back in ~1/2 hour. 

8/3/16 Flight Summary: KJHW>>>KROC

1.) Depart KJHW

2.) Arrive KROC

      

The sun-sets upon our beautiful Seneca, what a ride! Thanks again, Charlie and Isabel!

The look that only a "twin" can evoke...

Sunday 8/7/16

      It's been a while since I last flew the L-16, not since before airshow (if you can believe it!) Partially, this has been due to my pre-occupation with finishing my IFR/starting my Commercial/CFI training. Also, which is great, the L-16 has been a "hot ticket item" for the museum's ride program. It has been equally as busy as I have, giving rides to museum visitors. Today, though, I was able to get back-up in the Grasshopper, with my good buddy Robert N. (with whom I've had many great L-16 flights!)

      We had initially planned to fly to Dansville (KDSV) for some McDonald's. Yet, I decided that given the circumstances, I should remain local instead, and get myself "re-current" with takeoffs/landings. For me own personal-minimums, I like to fly an airplane-type every month. If I go beyond the month, I consider my un-proficient. The FAA says that 90-days will suffice, but I like to be a bit ahead on that, at least in the Tail-Wheeled-L-16. So, all that said, we stayed "in the pattern" for takeoff/landing practice. We flew for ~35 mins, doing 3 great landings (I was surprised and very happy.)

8/7/16 Flight Summary: D52>>>LOC

***Takeoffs/Full-Stop Landings, Right-Traffic RWY 23***

      After landing, Rob, fellow museum'er "Ducky," and I re-fueled and cleaned the L-16. We then went to the "clubhouse" and shot the breeze for a couple hours. Good times!

All fueled, wiped. and "tucked-in" from another successful sortie...

For this week, I plan to focus on the following items pertaining to my pilot journey...

• 1.) Finish Gleim Online Commercial Pilot ground school.
• 2.) Plan long cross-country flight/night cross country flight.
• 3.) Patiently await the return of the Air Center's Piper PA-28-200R Arrow.
• 4.) Begin to flight-sim Piper PA-28-200R.

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

8/3-8/7 Flight Time Logged = 2.9 Hrs

Total Flight Time = 242.6 Hrs

Total Flight Time to Commercial License = 7.4 Hrs

Plane Song

     G'day folks! By the time you see this post, it's most likely Friday (TGIF!) Just wanted to pop-on to give a couple updates on my, our pilot journey (as it's only been possible with your emotional support along the way!) So, a few quick notes!

     Just prior to airshow, I was invited to join up with the Collings Foundation this summer for a few "tours of duty." The CF operates a superb fleet of WWII birds, including the B-17/B-24/P-51/B-25 of the "Wings of Freedom" tour. This goes from coast-to-coast, almost year-round. I am jumping at this chance, so stay tuned for updates! The opportunities it will bring to me will be huge.

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/events/category/wings-of-freedom-tour/

     As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm "hitting the books" heavily for the Commercial Pilot written exam. My usual "cockpit view" is as follows, thanks to Wegmans' exquisite coffee and free WiFi...

It's all good

      I have nearly completed the 1st half of Gleim's online CPL course, I'd like to have it all done by next week, and then take the written exam within ~2 weeks.

      Lastly, I wanted to reflect a bit on another "relic from the past," which led me to the path I'm on today. As a toddler/young lad, my mother and I used to check-out a book titled Plane Song, from our local Avon Public Library. Written by Diane Siebert, Illustrated by Vincent Nassa, this book was a favorite of mine. It truly evokes the spirit of wonder, excitement, that is aviation. This past Christmas, I finally received my own copy of Plane Song, from my dear mum. The book is, undeniably, one of the main reasons I am a pilot today.

:-)

"Always," wonder why I love the A-26?

     A highlight of my past week included giving a tour of the B-17 to an interested-potential young volunteer and his father. I caught myself sitting in the cockpit, and found even more inspiration to keep on pushing. Until next time, "Keep 'Em Flying," and "Never, Never, Never Give Up."

Soon.

Commercial/Flight Instructor Training: Flight #1

      Hey gang! Happy new-week to you all. Hope Monday was "easy" on you. This past weekend, I really focused hard on the beginnings of my Commercial & Flight Instructor training. 

      I started by "hitting the books," preparing for the Commercial Written Exam. For this, I am using ASA's "Prepware" App, along with Gleim's online ground school course. As of today, I have the 1st 4 chapters complete.

      On Friday, I met with my CFI (Scott B.) to formulate the "action plan" for my training. We decided that it makes sense to tackle both the Commercial & CFI (Flight Instructor) at the same time. There are no additional flight-time requirements for a CFI, just a couple really tough written, oral, and flight tests. Our plan is to essentially "split" each training session into 50% Commercial, and 50% CFI work. I was (and still am) very agreeable to this plan!

      This past Sunday, Scott and I began on my Comm/CFI flight training. We knocked-out the 1st of 3 cross-country flights (100 NM length, 2 Hrs duration), by flying to Griffiss International Airport (KRME.) The flight went smoothly, even though I was a but nervous to be starting a new training endeavour. For me, when I get nervous, I tend to rush. This leads to little mistakes. So, my solution? Breathe. I just have to remember this from now on. In fact, I am adding it to my personal/custom checklist!

Our "steed" for the day, N998RA

7/24/16 Flight Summary: KROC>>>KRME

      Once we arrived @ KRME, we stopped at the beautiful FBO, there. Million Air, a 1st class Fixed-Base Operator, provided us with fuel, refreshments, and a free rental car. We took the car into town (passing the ultra-cool B-52 on display while en-route), and drove-thru McD's to grab lunch. What fun! :-) You may be wondering, why is a B-52 on display at KRME? Well, the airport used to be an Air Force Base, Griffiss AFB to be exact. From here, the mighty B-52 flew for many years, along with other unique aircraft (like the SR-71 Blackbird!) The base was retired from service in 1995, and since then, it has served as a General Aviation airport. Since the huge 11,821' runway still remains, KRME is a hub for airline companies to get there planes serviced & re-painted (such as the monster 747.)

The B-52 @ KRME

      Scott and I ate our lunch, and then bid farewell to the friendly Million Air crew. As we walked out to the plane, Scott informed me that I would be CFI on the way home, flying from the right seat! I was psyched. As we "mounted" up, I began to get a feel for what it's like to control the plane "wrong-handed." It took a little getting used to, and as per usual, I began to "rush" in my uncomfortable position. Yet, as I throttled up and took-off, I began to really get comfortable in my new throne. From here, the flight back to KROC went great!

7/24/16 Flight Summary: KROC>>>KRME

      As we neared KROC, I began to think about the landing. This was somthing I had always wondered about, "what is it like to land from the right seat?" It's not something I've been anxious about, just curious. Well, apparently it's no different, because I nailed the landing! I was very happy, tho it may have just been beginner's luck. ;-) We shall see! Until next time, "Keep 'Em Flying," and "Never, Never, Never Give Up."

7/24 Flight Time Logged = 2.6 Hrs

Total Flight Time = 239.7

Total Flight Time to Commercial License = 10.3 Hrs

It's Time...

Commercial Pilot's License, here we come...