The Aspiring Pilot

Step TWO down! Medical completed and in hand.

2012-02-23T10:00:36-06:00

Well, my next step toward currency and being regularly back in the air is now complete. This past weekend I went and obtained my FAA medical. I went for a second class medical as the AME charged the same for a second class as he would for a third. So, now I just have to try and budget aside enough cash to get the BFR and recheckout on the clubs airplanes and I'm good to go! (You can help by clicking on the ads on this page or visiting my examiner.com articles and reading them, and sharing them on your twitter feeds and facebook pages!)

Hoping to get the BFR done in the next 6-8 weeks at the latest, but hopefully sooner! We'll see how that goes!

1.2 hours of flight time today! Finally

2012-02-12T20:56:36-06:00

Not like I was counting or anything (8 years, 3 months and 9 days... or 3,023 days... or 431 weeks) how much time has elapsed since my last flight at the controls of an airplane. I went up in a C-172 out of Chicago Executive today and just did a quick flight along the Chicago lakefront, down to the outskirts of Gary airspace and then back to Chicago Executive. My daughter had a project for school (take care of the class 'bear' Milo and document everything he did with her over the weekend.) So of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go up in the air. She was excited and of course my son couldn't stop hassling me to go as well. So we finally all went together. I booked a plane with an instructor at the flying club. (Found out it was a reltively newly minted flight instructor so she was happy to be flying with someone that wasn't zero time!)

I ended up getting the clubs newer C-172 with the G1000 cockpit. It was my first time in the electronic cokpit. I always thought I wouldn't be overwhelmed and would get the hang of it quickly. Boy, was I wrong! I was totally unprepared for the G1000. Even over the hour, I never was able to figure out where everything was and it was totally off from the scanning habit I had developed in other 172's. (My altitude was ALL over the place!) Then again, it was relatively bumpy with some nice thermals and winds aloft at 2,500 feet of 25+ knots.

The weather was cold but the sky was CLEAR, with a bit of haze at ground level, as you can tell in the photo above. (not my best pics, and I think I have some cleaning to do with the lenses as my son did get his hands on the camera.....)

I actually did not do a landing this time. I was going to, but with not having flow in 8 years, the winds being about 20* crosswind and gusting up to 19 kts. I wasn't comfortable with it. KPWK was using runway 30 or 34, and I knew, coming in from the east, they would most likely bring us straight in to 30. I haven't done a straight in to that runway in a long time so I let the instructor take the landing. (Found out she hasn't had a 'student' land with her yet, she's done the landing on the instructing flight she's had so far so I guess she was hoping I was gonna take it!) Oh well!

Now, next up, my bienniel flight review to get current. I do also need an instrument proficiency check, but that will come later, probably once I've started by CFI training.

Time to fly! Returing to the air!

2012-02-11T22:02:43-06:00

And so finally, after all these months and all this writing, my stat count on the left is finally set to change tomorrow. I've scheduled a 1-hr flight with an instructor and my daughter. As part of a school activity, I've decided to take her up for some pictures and use it as a jumping off point for my Flight review and getting current. So, at noon tomorrow, I'll be prepping for a flight in a newer model C-172 with a G1000 cockpit, a first for me with the new panel. I'll have more tomorrow after the flight!

Finally started studying for CFI written exams

2012-01-09T09:27:47-06:00

Well, I finally took the plunge and am working toward at least the written portion of my CFI certificates. I already had the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) book from Jeppesen, however, I just picked up the Gleim study guides for the FOI and the CFI and Ground instructor written.

I had passed the FOI once, about 5 years ago, so I'm not too worried about that one. Given my almost 8-9 year absence from actually flying, I KNOW I definitely need to brush up on the basics though, in terms of FAR's, airspace, flight physics, etc.

I'm hoping to do the FOI written around March/April and the CFI written around June/July. Currently, goal is to get current as well around February/March as well. I'll definitely be posting a little more about my progress now that I've actually STARTED the process! Here's to 2012 being the year I get back in the air.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

2011-12-28T09:07:06-06:00

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my followers! Also, with the end of the year approaching, a Happy New Year! Here's hoping you all received what you wanted for the holidays and also wish you all a great 2012! I'm hoping to finally be back in the air (sound like a broken record huh?) and so far, I'm on track to be back up by spring. Thanks to all that have supported the blog with the ads, I'm up to a few bucks a month now. Hopefully soon it'll cover the cost of the hosting and registration. ;) See you all in the New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:32:45-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers and followers! Enjoy your turkey day. Even if your not in the US, still take some time today to be thankful for all the good things you may have in your life at the moment. Looking forward to the rest of the holiday season and hopefully a great year in 2012 that will include me getting back up in the air shortly!

To anyone flying/working today, stay safe and have a great day!

Lauderdale Air Show returns after 5 years

2011-11-16T15:32:01-06:00

When the Lauderdale Air Show came to an end in 2007, the skies remained quiet along the beaches for 5 years. Today, Lauderdale Air Show LLC announced the return of the air show, beginning with the 2012 season. The show is scheduled to occur during fleet week, April 28-29, 2012.

There are currently no military performance teams scheduled, however, this will most likely change once the teams begin to announce their 2012 scheduled sometime in December. Even with the recent announcement, there are already 3 civilian performers lined up for the air show. The most recent addition is Rob Holland, the 2011 Freestyle Aerobatic Champion along with two GEICO sponsored acts, the GEICO Skytypers and Miss GEICO, a powerboat, vs. the Skytypers.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Lauderdale Air Show returning in 2012 after 5 year hiatus - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/lauderdale-air-show-returning-2012-after-5-year-hiatus#ixzz1duFcoe3D

Perfect example of why I want to get back in the air

2011-11-08T20:50:10-06:00

The flying club I'm a member at, Windy City Flyers, posted a video on Facebook and Twitter from YouTube. It shows a dusk flight along the Chicago/Lake Michigan shoreline, with the amazing Chicago skyline lit up, (as well as Northerly Island, the former home of Meigs Field.) I can't wait to get back up and film my own videos of flights around the area...

FAA eases reporting of lasers being shined into cockpits

2011-10-27T22:58:23-05:00

As the number of dangerous laser incidents around the country continues to rise, the FAA has rolled out a new website to make it easier for pilots and the public to report laser incidents. The website also includes a knowledge base of articles and information on the subject, highlighting the dangers of shining a laser at the cockpit of any aircraft.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said that the 'safety of the traveling public is our absolute number-one priority. We will do everything we can to get the word out about how dangerous it is to point a laser at an aircraft. These incidents must stop.'

The website, http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/report/laserinfo/, contains a collection of a wide array of laser information, links to reporting laser incidents, laser statistics, FAA press releases and FAA and industry research on the dangers these laser events pose to pilots. The site even includes downloadable videos.

Read the rest of my article here.

Now, this is definitely a good thing, but will it really do anything to decrease the number of incidents? Initially, I think it will make the numbers continue to increase, easier reporting means more incidents brought to the attention of the FAA. It won't necessarily mean there were more actual incidents, just more reported to be included in the stats.

I forwarded the article to the ORD Airport Watch group as well, so they know how to report anything they may see. Who better to spot and report something like this than airplane spotters in and around the areas/villages surrounding the airport?! In cooperation with the Bensenville Police and area municipalites the ORD Airport Watch has already been a great addition to anti-crime in the area and provides a way for airplane geeks like myself to enjoy watching and photographing planes without the hassle that used to come from the police.

Now, with an easy way to notify the FAA, we can easily report any suspicious activity or incidents that appear to involve lasers and airplanes. I've been 'lazed' on the ground once, while at a supermarket by a bunch of kids in the parking lot, and I will vouch that it really was uncomfortable and definitely effected my eyesight for at least 5 minutes.

That's the main issue though here is that I think the majority of these incidents are just that, KIDS. These laser pointers are easy to get, and the more powerful ones are getting cheaper. I will bet that the majority of these kids don't really realize just how dangerous their actions are! It will eventually lead to an incident/accident and, I'm sure they won't be prepared for the onslaught of criminal charges and civil lawsuits that they'd face.

I think it may be time to not only get the mainstream media to focus more on the dangers of the laser incidents (not just that they're occuring) but also look at having the aviation organizations like AOPA, EAA, ALPA, the airlines, etc. come together and get something into the schools to bring the actual dangers forth. It won't stop it, but I'm sure it will lead to a decrease in some of the events at least.

Last chance to register for a free seminar on L-39 training!

2011-10-10T09:03:28-05:00

Imagine climbing into the cockpit of a military jet training aircraft and being able to go for a flight whenever you wanted to. Don't think it's possible? Well, Gauntlet Warbirds, along with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) will be hosting a seminar on Tuesday, October 11, starting at 7 pm at the Aurora Airport to discuss just that possibility.

The seminar has a maximum seating capacity of 90 and already 21 seats have been reserved and expectations are for 30-50 participants to attend. Registration can be completed on the FAASTeam site at http://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=40615 along with directions to the airport and seminar location. The seminar also counts for WINGS credit for pilots participating in the FAA's Wings safety program counting as 1 credit under the Basic Knowledge 3 category.

Continue reading on Examiner.com