A Much Needed Update

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....

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 ....

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

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

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

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....

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!!!!