The life of a pilot

A Much Needed Update

2010-06-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

After over a year of no updates, I think it's time to start blogging again. Not that I have a following or a large number of blog views, but it will be nice to look back on some day. I am going to try and update it weekly and see how that goes. Anyways.... what's latest with myself? I am currently working for a crew leasing company by the name of IASCO instructing Chinese students how to fly. Does anybody see a trend here? My last job flying was also instructing Chinese. While it's easy to speculate, the facts are that China has a population of over 1.3 billion people, while the US population has somewhere around 307 million people. Since the aviation market in the US has plummeted over the past few years there has been a steady decrease in the number of student pilots, and therefore less clients for myself to teach. Chinese airline companies have realized that it's much more cost effective to train it's students in the United States. This is where I come in, so now I'm instructing Chinese students in Redding, California. I enjoy the job and the perks that go along with it. It's difficult to keep what most Americans like to call a "normal" schedule, but it's perfect for me.

Where I work....

2009-05-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well the flight school that I instruct at decided to put out some commercials so here they are..... welcome to my world....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQpXWVo5s1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL1G5a2yJY

A much needed update ....

2009-05-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well after a couple months of ups and downs I finally am where I want to be.... near an airport getting paid to fly. I found a flying gig at U.S. Flight Academy in Denton, TX and haven't looked back since. It took alllooot of work to finally find a flying job, lots of hang ups and maybe's but after pursuing this opportunity for about 2 weeks, everything finally has fallen into place. So now I fly about twice a day.... and get paid for it! The only down side to instructing is the weather, but I have great students who are eager to learn even when the weather doesn't cooperate. My students are Chinese and have a contract with Shenzen Airlines and after I have trained them to the commercial level will move on to a Boeing 737....I'm only a little jealous :/ So I'm going to try and update my blog more often, although finding time might be difficult from time to time. Anyways....I love instructing and I truly feel that I am living the dream....well kinda lol :)

ATP Cross Country Flights

2008-12-30T17:13:00.001-08:00

I am in the cross country phase of ATP's program and loving it! Here are some shots of the places I've been flying...

Instrument Pilot......whew

2008-12-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

Today I feel like I have accomplished something special. I have obtained a rating which will move myself closer to the dream job. An instrument rating in laymen terms, allows one to fly in unfavorable weather conditions. In the aviation world this is known as IMC or IFR conditions. So after a grueling week of gruel preparing for this check ride I finally have my rating. I now know exactly what kind of mindset is needed to finish out the program on the highest note possible. In the upcoming weeks I will be flown all over the country from Longbeach, CA all the way to Jacksonville, FL. This is where the ATP program really shines through. No longer will I be flying with an instructor, instead I will be with a fellow pilot with around the same amount of hours as me. It will be interesting to say the least...I'm sure I will have alot of stories in the upcoming, hopefully all good ones. Life at ATP continues......

11/19

2008-11-19T07:57:00.000-08:00

This week has been very interesting. I started learning about hold patterns and instrument approaches. I think my checkride will be very smooth just like the last one as flying is in my blood. I have about 2 weeks until my checkride and now I just need to start familiarizing myself with all of the regs an instrument pilot needs to know. I have a feeling I will lock myself in a room until I know them all....

Here are some awesome planes that flew in the other day.

The other side....

2008-11-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

After much anticipation I have finally arrived on the career side of ATP. I am now in the second half of the program where I will obtain the rest of my ratings all the way up to CFI. So far it is way more fun than I expected. I am now flying a Piper Seminole which is a light twin and a great one at that. It is definitely different than the Cessna and I think it's a better bird. I started on Monday and my checkride for the multi-engine add on is exactly 7 days from the start date, so this upcoming Monday is my checkride. I know I will pass, and so does my body, I have lost count of how many cups of coffee I've had today, but it is all worth it as I am inching my way towards the big show and the big dream of flying the big shiny jet.

The life of a pilot continues....

11/10..................UPDATE>>>>> I PASSED MY CHECKRIDE!!!!

How much do you want it?

2008-10-04T18:05:00.001-07:00

I find myself secluded more and more as I become a proficient pilot. The days of "hanging" out are long gone as I have finally found a career which is suited for me. The statistic of 40% is imprinted in my mind and gives me the extra nudge to complete my goals. I am striving to be among the 40% who successfully complete ATP's rigorous program and go on to live the dream. So I am beginning to become accustomed to long days and nights inside a windowless room learning and dreaming. When you are doing what you love the studying part starts to become fun anyways. So I'll sign off with one of my favorite quotes "Whether you think you can or you can't either way you are right".

Preparing for the next step...

2008-09-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have completed all of my solo cross country flights for the private pilot curriculum and now I am preparing for the next step...the check ride. I have been going over every inch of the Cessna 172 and learning new information constantly. So on the 8th of October I will have my check ride and my private pilot's license.

There were some interesting planes at Gateway today and luckily I had my camera so I can share them with you.

9/15

2008-09-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

I passed my Pre Solo written test yesterday with a 90% and will solo in a C-172 for the first time by the end of the week. Yesterday was one of the best flights I've had at ATP. I impressed my instructor enough for him to let me practice my crosswind landings with the winds gusting to 20 and a crosswind component of about 11. Every landing was real smooth and on top of the gusting winds I was in the pattern continuosly behind a C-130. Every time I turned in the pattern tower would mention "keep the 130 in sight at all times and caution wake turbulence". So it was a great experience to both fly the airplane and calculate where to touch down in addition to about a 25 degree crab angle. My instructor recieved a new job flying a cirrus G3 so I will be paired up with a new instructor at the end of the month. All the instructors are waiting for the golden ticket of opportunity out side of flight instructing, and I completely understand. So I will be paired up with a new instructor coming in from the FL location and make the smooth transition into completing my private pilots liscence. .......which will be in about a month

Update 9/12

2008-09-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

So far........... so amazingly good. Today I arose at 4:00 am for a wheels up flight of 5:30. My favorite time of day at KIWA is early in the morning when the temperature is out of the triple digits. I went Class Delta hopping today. I flew from KIWA to Falcon Field, did a touch and go then headed up to Scottsdale. Next I did a touch and go and headed up over towards Deer Valley and also performed a touch and go. After Deer Valley I flew west to Glen Dale and landed for a quick drink . I then did a Pre-flight and transitioned through Class Bravo airspace through Goodyear and then direct to KIWA. As soon as I passed through Goodyear's airspace I put on my Jeppesen hood and flew under simulated IFR all the way to Gateway until I started my descent into Class Delta and entered the pattern to land. I am loving Mesa, AZ and I am becoming quite the proficient pilot.

Week One

2008-09-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

It is now Saturday and I have beena at the ATP Phoenix location for about a week now. I am very pleased with the program so far and am having the time of my life. I began the week checking in my bags and getting my room in a manner that was comfortable. My schedule so far has been an early flight in the morning around 7am and then a groundschool in the afternoon from 1pm-5-pm. I am impressed with my ability to mend myself with the program to get the best results. My instructor's name is Scott and he is an ex-cop with around 500 hours. I enjoy flying with him because he seems to be a grounded person. Right now I have accumelated around 6.7 hours through ATP and I am loving every minute of it. I have familiarized myself with the surrounding area of Mesa, AZ and the scenery is pristine for flying. I am living the dream and it only gets better from here...

The Countdown Begins

2008-08-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

It is 10:43pm and I am typing in my comfortable room here in Raleigh, NC. I have been experiencing a strange feeling of anticipation of what's to come. Only 4 days until my flight to Phoenix. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. Life is good, I am fresh from a memorable experience at Oshkosh a couple of week prior. Now I have the tunnel vision on what's to come. I bought the ticket now its time for the ride. I will begin my flight training at KIWA in Phoenix AZ through ATP. I have a vague idea of what to expect but I know that I will make a smooth transition as I have always been able to adapt to my environment with ease. Although with an average temperature of around 105 It should be "different". This is the beginning of an exciting time in my life that like a fine bottle of wine will only get better with time. So here I go...off into the hot Phoenix sun to master the art of flying...time for the ride.