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How I finally got into flying

Flying

Like a lot of pilots, I have been in love with airplanes as long as I can remember.

I’m pretty sure I get it from my father, who joined the army air corps in the early 40s to work on airplanes. He served 23 years, including tours in Europe during World War II and Korea during the Korean War. With all he must have done and seen, I think he was proudest of being part of the Berlin airlift, and then being a CAP member after he retired.

He ended up a master sergeant in the 90th Transit squadron and though he never became a pilot and he never lost his love for airplanes.
Our house had airplane pictures on the wall, and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. My father would buy models of planes he liked and then help my brothers and I build them to hang up with the rest.

Of the 5 boys in the family, my older brother by 10 years, Rickey and I are the only ones who kept a love of aviation through our teens and into adulthood. Rickey joined the Army and was a crew chief on UH1 Huey helicopters through the 70s. I think he was in the Army 6 years and was in 2 Helicopter crashes that I can recall. He took a ground school at the local college when he got home, but he never got his Private certificate.

Besides building plastic models with my father, I was building free flight and control line airplanes to fly, wishing I could afford RC. I started designing and flying my own as I approached my teen years. I thought I would grow up to be an aeronautical engineer. I even sent Cessna a letter when I was 14 expressing my interests in designing airplanes for them when I grew up, and my love for my favorite airplane at the time the Cessna Sky Master. They sent me a brochure for the Sky Master, which spent several years on my wall as decoration.

Growing up in Cheyenne Wyoming, home of the Daddy of them all Rodeo and F.E. Warren Air Force Base (Missile Ranch), I have seen the Thunderbirds perform so many times I’m not sure I can put an accurate count to it. I remember them flying T-38s, and the year of the tragic fatal crash in Cheyenne in 1977.

I used to watch the army guards Constellations take off/land and fly around Cheyenne. Later on they switched to C130s. What a great aircraft that is. I can’t count how many times I have toured one at an air show.

Anyway, as I went from teens to adulthood, life happened as they say. I never finished college and hadn’t ever flown an airplane. I continued to love airplanes, and there were always pictures and models hanging up in my homes over the years.
My first computer was an apple IIe, and all I ever did with it was fly an F-15 Strike Eagle flight sim on it. As I have gotten bigger and better computers over the years, I kept flying sims. I think I have owned almost every flight sim ever made for a PC, including most versions of MSFS. I have uncountable hours of PC sim time.

The morning of 9-11, I was on an airliner flying into Vegas. The days that followed were very strange with no aircraft in the sky. When they started flying again, I was back on an airliner for work, which is pretty much what I do today: fly to a different city almost every week for work.

Like lots of other Americans after 9-11, I felt the need to fight back, contribute in some way. So I joined the Civil Air Patrol, and was as active as I could be, attending all the meetings, and training I could. Unfortunately due to travel for work, and a divorce I went through, I had to quit CAP. They already have enough members that don’t have the time to give, and I didn’t want to be another one.

During my very short stint in CAP, I got the idea that I would somehow work out a way to get my Private pilot certificate, but could never justify the expense. Although I started to study flying more, seriously it never came together. In 2002 I joined the AOPA, and even though I didn’t get a private pilot certificate, I have kept my AOPA membership ever since.

Right after my divorce, I started jokingly telling my friends that when I retired I was going to sell everything buy a small sea plane move to Costa Rica to spend my retirement flying tourists around. I figured that my limited retirement fund would go further down there.

Through the last few years I have continued to fly my Sims (I have a pretty cool chair set up). I dabbled in RC aircraft even had a couple really cool RC helicopters that were a blast to fly in spite of the fact I never got very good at it.

Life went on I started my own business and have been working for myself for the past few years. I have made it a point to live life to the fullest, having adventures and fun. About 3 years ago, I met a woman of a like mind, and we go on adventures and a have a blast together. I married her August 15 2009.

About a year and a half ago, I was in Milwaukee for work and a friend of mine talked me into buying my first iPod, which led to him convincing me to try some podcasts. I’m not a big fan of talk radio, and I searched for listened to various pod cast, but none of them did anything for me until I stumbled upon the Student Pilot Flight PodLog. I enjoyed listening to Will learning to fly. Then I stumbled upon Uncontrolled Air Space, Airspeed, AOPA Never Again, Pilot's Flight PodLog (will pat his check ride)…. I was hooked on Aviation podcasts. I have a lot of time while traveling to listen to podcasts and within a few weeks I had the aviation bug worse than ever.

In June of 2008 I made the decision that it was like riding my Harley. You can’t justify the expense; you just do it because you want to and you enjoy it. So I started to do some research and came up with a plan.

Being out of town almost every week, and on a limited budget meant this was going to take some time.

I decided to take the sport pilot route on the way to private. It just seemed to make sense, and be a less expensive way to go.
Of the 3 GA airports near me, Boulder city, which is uncontrolled, seemed like the best as my way of thinking at the time was learn to fly first; then after I felt comfortable in the aircraft I would learn to deal with controlled airspace. I also started a diet, to lose some weight realizing that sport planes were small. My theory was that the less of me there was the more fuel I could carry.

I worked out a budget to start flying lessons in mid November, and then I started looking for instructors and sport planes.

The Sport Pilot certificate was mostly (maybe still) misunderstood here in Las Vegas. Almost everyone I talked with told me not to waste my time and just get the private. I decided I needed to meet more people in the local aviation community so I joined the EAA, and went to local EAA chapter 1300s meeting. Among the many people I met that night was Brian, who coincidently belonged to both local EAA chapters, and a flying club composed of some of the chapters' members. On his recommendation/invitation I went out to the hangar at KVGT (North Las Vegas airport) and met some of the guys from EAA chapter 163 and the flying club. They had the engine out of the club’s 1958 172 for overhaul.
Over the next few weeks I hung out at the airport (KVGT) as much as I could talking with the guys, and I made my decision to join EAA chapter 163.

I was considering joining their flying club. They have a cap on the number of members, but there was a membership available.
I was concerned about a 50 year old Cessna.

After interviewing about a half dozen CFIs, I decided that Greg in the flying club was the one I felt most comfortable with.

I started flying in mid-November out of KVGT a towered class D airport. I soloed January 31st 2009 http://mike-daniels.blogspot.com/2009/01/learning-to-fly-first-solo.html.

I joined the flying club and started flying the clubs 1958 172 in March. She may be old but she flies great. And costs less than half of what I was renting a plane from a flight school for.

I took my written exam in July, scored an 83.
After taking most of the summer off for budget reasons. I did my long Solo Cross Country 11-2-2009. KVGT-BTY-0L7-VGT. http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view/?trip_id=180940

Now in November of 2009, I have 65 hours, have passed my written, and done my solo cross country. I have 2.3 hours of check ride polish (You need at least 3).

I’m very close to being ready for my FAA Practical test which includes an oral exam and a check flight with an FAA Designated examiner. With some more practice, and study I should be able to do this before the end of the year, schedule and weather permitting.

When I get my certificate I’m going to start flying to Southern California on a regular basis to visit my mother.
My wife (likes flying with me and my instructor) and I will fly to breakfast lunch, or some other adventure on a whim a couple times a month. Eventually we will own our own airplane…. I’m considering building one, a BD-4C. Belonging to the local EAA chapter, I have a wealth of knowledge, and experience at my disposable to help me with the task.

I plan to continue my education. I want instrument, commercial, and maybe CFI. I also want to add complex, high performance, and sea plane ratings.


I enjoy listening to podcasts; they help round out my education and keep me interested and enthused, providing knowledge and opinions from other pilots that I wouldn't have access to without them. All the input makes me a better rounded pilot.

Thanks to all the Podcasters. I do appreciate what you do. I especially want to thank, Will, Dave, Jack, Jeb, and Dave.

Thanks to my instructor Greg, and the helpful members of EAA 163. Special mention to Brian, TA, Randy, Less, Bob, …

And of course special thanks to my very supportive and loving wife Elisabeth, who said I can build an airplane but only as long as we have something to fly while it is being built.

Mike

Mike Daniels,
Twitter: Mike_Flys
Mytransponder: buells2t
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/buells2t
http://mike-daniels.blogspot.com
http://www.danielsperformance.com/backroad

Solo Cross Country

Tomorrow I’m flying my Long Solo Cross Country. It is requirement I need before prepping for my FFA oral exam and check ride, to become a Private Pilot.

I’m leaving North Las Vegas airport (KVGT) at 8:30 am PST (16:30Z), and flying to Beatty NV (KBTY) for a landing then taking off and flying to Jean NV (0L7) for a landing, then taking off again and heading back to North Las Vegas airport (KVGT).

You can track me via my Spot GPS on the internet if you like:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0BjQYDoAOsdaVcLFdGltTy6iarQH2A1ay

Details
Plane: 1958 Cessna 172 N8959B
Total Trip
218 Nautical Miles
250.9 Statue Miles

With my short breaks at each landing it should take me about 3 hours.

Mike

Amelia (movie)

RT @Mike_Flys: Amelia was great I think they did a good job.
A little hollywood license with a couple facts but we liked it and recomend seeing it.
-- Posted from my iPhone

GA Serves America

From AOPA E-Pilot news letter

USA Today slants coverage to favor airlines

By Chris Dancy

USA Today on Thursday published a slanted, one-sided front-page story designed to whip up negative sentiment against general aviation and to perpetuate public misconceptions about GA. NBC’s "Today" show did a companion story that also ran on the MSNBC cable news outlet which was equally as negative, although it was somewhat more balanced in its presentation.

“The story is completely devoid of journalistic balance and fails to acknowledge the millions of Americans who benefit from the nation's 5,200 general aviation airports every day,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller.

AOPA’s media relations staff learned of the story a week before it was published and had a lengthy conversation with the USA Today reporter, but was not included in the article.

The USA Today article focuses on spending at GA airports but provides absolutely no perspective. The article does not mention how much Airport Improvement Program (AIP) money is spent at air carrier airports, or that in a typical year, Congress allocates $3 for air carrier airport improvements to every $1 to be spent at GA airports.

The USA Today article and its companion Today Show piece both entice the audience to equate airline ticket tax income with airport expenditures. Neither story makes any effort to tell the audience that GA operators contribute to the same trust fund through fuel taxes that are five times higher than the airlines’, or that the fund also pays for the air traffic control system, of which the airlines are the primary beneficiary.

So what are the facts?

Let’s look at 2007, a fairly typical year for AIP funding.

The FAA distributed $3.34 billion in AIP funds to 2,610 airports.

341 primary airports—airports with more than 100,000 passenger boardings each year—received $2.1 billion in AIP funds. That’s an average of $6.17 million per airport.

48 commercial service airports—airports with between 2,500 and 100,000 passenger boardings—received $93 million, or an average of $1.94 million per airport.

139 GA reliever airports received $214 million, or an average of $1.54 million

982 GA airports received $617 million, or an average of $628,000.

Combined, the 389 airline airports divvied up $2,199,335,046, averaging $5.5 million per airport. The 1,121 GA airports shared $831,717,227, averaging $741,942.

An addition, $310 million was distributed through state block grant programs.

Local realities differ from national “perspective”

On the same day that the two stories ran nationally, a number of local news outlets did their own versions of the story and came to radically different conclusions.

“Officials defend role of small airports: Facilities open more areas to business world,” reported Nashville’s The Tennessean newspaper.

“Local airports say fed funds put to good use,” said the Greenville News of Greenville, S.C.

And, “Business taking off,” stated The Record of Stockton, Calif., simply.

Two years ago, when the Associated Press ran a similarly negative article on federal dollars going to GA airports, the same thing happened: local follow-up stories showed that the money was well spent and benefitted the communities.

“Having convenient access to small airports in communities around the country is as vital to our national transportation system as having highway off-ramps in small towns,” concluded Fuller. “To suggest that smaller airports are not needed is just like suggesting that we should have a road system that connects only the country’s 150 largest cities.

“The truth is that small airports do bring business, jobs, and services—including disaster relief, package delivery, firefighting capability, law enforcement, and emergency medical transportation—to thousands of communities nationwide every day. And that’s good for America.”

John Guedry

Last night I was at a fund rasier for John Guedry. He is running for Nevada congressman.
I feel he has the common sense we need in office.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Rowdy Rooster Racing

In Ely NV on our way to Bonneville Salt Flats with our race bike for a land speed record attempt



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Flying Across America

http://www.flyingacrossamerica.com/

If you are a friend of general aviation then please help support this noble effort to raise awareness of how great GA is.

Thanks,

Mike

Today is the beginning

Today is the day. I’m marring the woman I have more in common with than any woman I have ever known. A woman that loves to go on adventures with me. Riding the Harley, off roading in our jeep, flying in the Cessna, camping in death valley, or on the north rim of the grand canyon, shooting, or just going to the movies; she truly enjoys doing these things, and doing them with me. The woman who I enjoy spending time with more than any woman I have ever known. We have an amazing life together, I truly am blessed.

Today starts our next series of adventures, still doing the things we love together but doing them as husband and wife.

Elisabeth I love you and am looking forward to our continuing adventures.

Mike

I'm getting married Saturday!

Our wedding is fast approaching , we are heading to Hogs and Heifers afterwards to party.

Please come help us celebrate out wedding at Hogs and Heifers this Saturday night August 15^th from 9pm till whenever.

Mike and Elisabeth

My Grand Cherokee

I'm doing some work on my Off Road Grand Cherokee this week.

Here it is in action running up Eagle wash in sourthern Nevada.

To see more of my Jeep, my other trucks I have owned, and trails we have run on including downloadable GPS tracks/Routes chack out my backroading web site;

http://www.danielsperformance.com/backroad

http://www.danielsperformance.com/backroad/rigs/97ZJ/97ZJ.html

A Pilot's Story

The new (3rd) trailer is online for "The Pilot's Story" which will be a film everyone should see.
Do your self a favor and check it out.

http://apilotsstory.com/

Pilot or not I promise you will not be disappointed

Mike

Wish I was flying

Thinking about flying this week.

This is the 1958 Club Cessna 172 out at Jean (OL7). I often fly out there for some touch and goes or just have a coke and watch the airplanes.

a Cessna doing touch and goes at my home base airport North Las Vegas (KVGT)

A Low wing Cessna taking off from KVGT. I love this airplane and hope to fly one some day.

FAA private pilot written teat

I passed my FAA written. 1 step closer to getting my private pilot certificate.
I had heard that wearing an ACE shirt from mytransponder.com would bring you luck on a check flight so I thought I would try it for the written.
I think it worked, everyone I know scored about 10 points lower on the actual test than they did on the practice test. Not only did I score what I was getting on the practice but I scored near the upper end of what I was getting on practice tests.

I have 52 hours of flight time, all I need now is my solo cross country and some polishing (practice for check flight) then I will be ready for my oral test and check flight with the FAA designated examiner (DE). If he (or she) is satisfied with my performance then I will get my Private Pilot Certificate.

-- Post From My iPhone

FAA written

I'm taking my FAA private Pilot written test today

Feel Goods

Having lunch at Feel Goods
Vince Niels and Counts Customs new dinner club
Today is the soft opening






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Timpanogos Harley-Davidson

Training at Timpanogos Harley-Davidson in Utah today




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Blow out on landing

I was doing touch and goes on runway 12L in the clubs cessna 172 when shortly after a touching down the right tire blew. As soon as we realized it Greg (my instructor) took over the controls. The slower the plane got the more it tried to go right until we coludnt keep it on the runway. Managing to miss the taxi way sign we ended up 10 feet off the run way in the dirt just past taxi way K (Kilo).

No one was hurt and the plane wasn't bent.






-- Post From My iPhone

THE AVIATORS

This looks like a great show. I can hardly wait for it air.

Me

If you want to learn more about me and my wonderful life you can check out these sites:

My back road site
http://www.danielsperformance.com/backroad

Race team I crew chief for Rowdy Rooster Racing
http://RRR.danielsperformance.com

My Business
http://www.danielsperformance.com


or follow me on twitter "buells2t"

Video from the float plane airport at lake hood

This is a video of the deHavilland beaver plane crash at Lake Hood in Anchorage AK, on June 7, 2009.

July 4th BBQ in Texas

Just outside of Deanville Texas, the Deanville Mafia puts on the besst BBQ I have ever been to










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Gruene Texas

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Dinner at 2 am Austin

After having a ton of fun we syopped for a hot dog from this street Vendor at 2:23 am


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The most fun band on 6th st austin Texas

These guys rocked and are very enteraining
JC coldfire





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Coyote ugly in Austin

First time at a coyote ugly not that impressed
Hogs is better so I had to leave a reminder
(see pic)



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Austin July 2

Hangin with best friend (texan) Jim
Missing my girl


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Cruisin Austin

On 6th at in Austin hitting bars listening to great live bands

-- Post From My iPhone

Camping at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

4 Days, 3 Nights 400 miles of dirt road, 6 Jeeps loaded to the hilt, and the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

Day 1 June 18th 2009
We left town a bit late and a had a little mishap that slowed us down a bit. But we had a great Camp spot at Kelly Point.


North Rim 6-18-09

Day 2 June 19 2009
I decided we didn’t bring enough fuel so Elisabeth and I ran to St George for some fuel and supplies. When we returned to the Rim we had a little confusion finding where the rest of the group camped at and it was late so we camped at the International Airport.


North Rim 6-19-09

Day 3 June 20 2009
Found the group camp in the am. Had a great breakfast to another wonderful view.
A couple of the group were feeling a little ill and headed home from this point.
Down to 4 jeeps now we headed for our final night camping spot.
The drive there was a great variety of scenery.
On the road into the park there was a stretch of very soft and deep silt. Joe, and Steve with some help got to play rescue rangers and pull an all wheel drive Subaru and a full size van out of it.
First night putting up camp in the daylight, and the most beautiful views of the whole trip.


North Rim 6-20-09

Day 4 June 21 2009
Woke up to a great day Elisabeth made a fantastic breakfast and I ate to the most wonderful view. Life is great.
Broke camp, posed for a group photo, then wandered around taking pictures of the incredible view.
These photos don’t do it justice but if you click on the slide show you can see them individually in full size and they are pretty big.
After the morning photo walk at the Rim Elisabeth and I broke away to head home early so we could get some rest before working the next day.
We met a nice couple on a dual sport motorcycle who needed some fuel. I gave them a gallon or 2 and they offered us lunch if we ever stop at their restaurant (El Diablo or something) in Flagstaff.
I think it took about 4 hours to get home through Colorado City.
.


North Rim 6-21-09

Taylorcraft and Cher turn 63

A couple of my flying buddies from the local EAA 163 club. Restored a Taylorcaft several years ago. she is hanger kept and flown to breakfast every week.
This airplane was manufactured on May 23 2009, which also happens to be the day (and year) that Cher was born.

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this year's birthday party for the Taylorcraft at the hanger located at North Las Vegas airport (KVGT), and even though Cher couldn't make it a good time was had by all.

Cher if you read this we hope to see you next year.
Mike.

Learning to fly: First Solo

Saturday (01-31-09) we had the plane reserved from noon to 2PM I showed up and it wasn’t there. The people before me were running about 10 minutes late. I did the preflight Then Elisabeth Greg and myself got in the plane to do what I thought would be 5 landings with a break then 5 more figuring I would solo in 2 weeks (I would be in Cincinnati the next weekend so I was out of town 2 weeks solid this time) like we had discussed (see pre solo blog),.

The air was a bit rough, I bounced a couple landings, and was having an off day. After the 3rd touch and go Elisabeth said she was ill so I did a full stop on the 4th landing and taxied back to parking so she could get out. I was thinking we would get out take our break and go back up for 5 more landings and call it a day. Greg had a different plan he grabbed his headset and said he wasn’t going to fly with me anymore today (meaning I was on my own). I told him he had lost his mind, I wasn’t having a good day, and didn’t think I should solo. Greg wouldn’t listen to me.

He won the discussion Signed my Student pilot certificate for Solo in a Cessna 172, and a 152. I got in the plane by myself. He and Elisabeth got in his Jeep to go out to the ramp to watch. I started the plane got the new ATIS called ground, taxied to the run-up area did my run-up. Went to hold short of runway 7 via Golf like I was instructed to by ground. Contacted the tower, told them I was a student pilot (I think they know that, I fly every weekend and do tons of touch and goes in a flight school rental plane) first time solo and wanted to take off and do 1 full stop landing. They cleared me across 7 and instructed me to hold short of 12 right.

I did as I was instructed. From the hold short at 12 right they cleared me to take off on 12 right make right hand turn for right hand traffic to land on 12 right. I called back my instructions, Lights Camera, Action and down the runway I went.

Of course without the weight of Greg in the plane I couldn’t keep in it on the ground and it was off before I reached my rotating speed. I was 500ft AGL half way down the runway, but stayed in line waiting for the end to make my RH turn. There was some other traffic on the radio and just as I was about to turn right the tower called me and said there was a change of plans, asked me to turn left make left traffic and cleared me for runway 12 left I called back the instructions made my left turn then turned for the downwind. My pattern wasn’t very square but my altitude was good. So I trimmed for level and 80 knots at pattern altitude, came a beam the numbers, carb heat, throttle to 1800, 10 degrees of flaps trimmed for 500ft descent , turned base added another 10 degrees of flaps pushed the nose over and trimmed to keep my descent. About the time I was over my friends Bill and Leann’s house it dawned on me there was no one watching my gauges to help keep me from screwing the pooch but me. So with a slight uneasy feeling I noticed my speed was at 65 knots so I gave it some throttle which of course killed my descent (nose down to increase speed) I scanned for traffic Started my turn onto final realized I was too high so I pulled the throttle, pushed the nose over and trimmed for the numbers. Came over the numbers a bit high flared a bit too soon and floated about half way down the runway. Finally got her to settle on to the ground I think I might have bounced once (I was a bit high) don’t totally remember, I had bounced on 2 of my previous landings that day and they kind of blend together in my mind. Kept the yoke pulled back to keep the nose wheel up as long as possible, was easy on the brakes. Tower asked me to turn on Taxi way Kilo and hold short of 12 right so I did. They cleared me across 12 right and told me to contact ground. I cleared 12 right stopped and contacted ground told them I was going to Taxi back to Mojave (where we park this plane). Ground instructed me to taxi to the ramp via taxi ways Bravo, and Hotel. I called it back then my brain locked… where is Bravo? I am I on it? Or is it in front of me, or to my right…. I looked at the signs… no bravo sign…. Thought about calling ground, thought about calling my instructor, then I remembered the map… Pulled out the map of the airport that lists the runways and taxi ways figured out where I was at (which I knew I was just suffering from some sort of mind lock lol) Taxied down Bravo to Hotel then Hotel to the ramp, past the gas pumps Elisabeth and Greg were standing next to his Jeep. She was taking pictures like crazy. I taxed past them and headed to the parking spot, they past me in the jeep and were waiting for me at parking when I got there.

I secured the plane we did the normal log book writing, Greg endorsed it for me to fly Solo from KVGT in a 25 mile Radius.

He drew on my shirt and then cut the back out of it then we posed by the plane for Elisabeth who had been taking pictures nonstop the whole time.

I love flying.

Even though it was only a few months ago that I soloed it seems very distant. As I write this I have just over 51 hours and 165 landings. I’m getting so close and loving every minute of it. I wish I would have took the plunge years ago.

Mike

learning to fly: Pre first solo flight

For my first blogs I’m going to copy my blogs about my first solo flight in an airplane from mytransponder.com.

A good friend of mine wanted me to give her the details of my first solo flight (Jan 31 2009). Which is the milestone in flight training where you fly an airplane by yourself no instructor or anyone to help, just you and the airplane.

I wanted to say I got in a plane and took off flew the pattern (around the airport) and landed (that’s about all I remember) but Elisabeth (my fiancée) says I need to give more details so here goes.

This is how the weekend before my solo went.

I’m flying a Cessna 172 tail number N734XH out of North Las Vegas airport KVGT. It is a towered airport in class airspace.

Several weeks ago (early January 2009) my instructor (Greg) started talking about me soloing, I started replying I wasn’t ready yet.

He had me set up a pre-solo check ride with another instructor, and do a pre-solo written test. They were talking about me soloing weeks ago, but we had some bad weather, and the starter went out in the plane,….

Ok just over a week ago on Friday (01/23/09) We had a 8000 foot ceiling just a bit a wind. So the other instructor (Luis(owns the plane)) took me up for my pre-solo check ride.

Pre-Solo:

I was very nervous and let him know it.

I let it idle to high at start-up. We had an brief discussion about carb ice at the run up. Went to hold short as instructed to by ground, called the tower and was cleared for takeoff on 7 and to turn left, my radio work was good. Takeoff went well at 500ft AGL (above ground level) I made my left turn and then the tower called me and said they couldn’t see my transponder (a device that lets air traffic control see where your plane is), I said Oh S***! I forgot “Lights Camera Action” (acronym pilots use to remind them what to do at take off, like turning on the transponder) turned on the transponder. Mumbled some incorrect/incoherent BS over the radio and the tower said they saw me now at 2800 MSL (Mean Sea Level)….

As we headed out to the practice area Luis said your engine is out what are you going to do (practicing engine outs is a common safety technique pilots use to practice what to do if). I pulled the throttle to idle (no power simulated engine failure) trimmed for best glide speed, played with the emergency check list, and discussed places to land.

Then we headed back to the airport and did 3 touch and goes (land and then take off without coming to a stop on the runway) and one full stop landing. He liked the fact that I didn’t drop the flaps until we were in the white arc (designated safe flap speed) on the airspeed indicator. Remember it is his plane. He didn’t care much for my 3 point landing (landing on all 3 wheels at the same time vs the rears (main) first which is proper), and even on my main gear landings said I bring the nose gear down to soon.

After the flight I was Debriefed by both instructors. They said I needed to go up with Greg do 5 landings, take a break go up and do 5 more. Then a week or so after that if I was having a good pattern day I would solo.

Greg and I were supposed to fly Saturday. Saturday morning the winds were insane, 5 knots to 30, and changing directions every couple minutes… so we didn’t go up. Monday I flew (human mailing tube (airlines)) to North Carolina for work and was there all week….

To be continued in my next blog

I will post the solo details next time.

Mike