Preparing for the next step...

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

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

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

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

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.