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!!!!

How much do you want it?

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...

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