The Aspiring Pilot

1.2 hours of flight time today! Finally

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.....) 

 

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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!

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

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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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

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

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... 

 

Sorry for the lack of blog posts...

I promise I'll be back writing more shortly. I've been busy with work at my full-time job due to some massive changes involved there, as well as now getting assigned/volunteering for the photo unit spot at the fire department I'm part time at. Add in family obligations, trying to meet minimum articles published at my Examiner.com page and, well, you can see how I'm a little tapped out for time.  

I'm still hoping to be back in the air at some point, but that looks like it may not happen until 2012 now, but maybe, just maybe, it'll occur in the first quarter this time... here's to hoping! Wanna help me get there, so I can write about my flights and training? Support this blog by clicking on ad's that may be appealing (through google's adsense) . If you're feeling REALLY generous, you can always contribute/donate to using the 'Tip Jar' icon on the left, which will process a donation to my paypal account which I'm using for my flight funding. Finally, you can also follow my examiner.com articles which I am paid for (measly) per page view.  Spread the news, share my links and posts!! ;) 

 

My media tour of Farmers Airship canceled due to weather

I was supposed to get media access to the Farmers Airship today, however, some early storms that blew through the area and expected intability and severe weather later today forced the cancellation of public access and flightseeing tours for today. I did get a few shots through the fence of the enormous airship, however, not at all what I had hoped to shoot.

The zeppelin will remain through Monday and was due to fly out to Indianapolis, but it will most likely leave later in the day as they plan on a few additional flightseeing flights. 

You can read more on the zeppelin, Eureka, and their visit to DuPage in my examiner article:

http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-chicago/world-s-largest-zeppelin-soaring-the-skies-over-dupage-this-weekend

Logbook Pro AirVenture sale and AirVenture Day 3 and 4 highlights

NC Software has announced that in honor of EAA's 2011 AirVenture, they are offering 15% off ANY software or subscription item from today through Sunday night, midnight EST. Logbook Pro is the electronic logbook that I use alongside my paper logbook. I love the software in terms of not only having a backup to my paper logbook, but also because it's SO much easier to sort the flights, run reports and even track currency on various items.  When shopping, please enter Coupon Code 'OSHKOSH11' in the appropriate field when checking out. Visit the store here: NC Software

Also, here are exceprts for my day 3 and 4 write-ups on AirVenture. Please be sure to visit the full articles for the full stories! 

As AirVenture approaches it's midpoint, images of last years 'Sloshkosh' began to replay in visitor's memories. The rain moved in around dawn, continuing on and off during the day and bringing about 1 inch of precipitation to the airfield. There remains a chance of rain through Thursday night and grass parking areas are already being effected by the moisture, with AirVenture staff marking off portions no longer suitable for use. The latest update from EAA staff was that the grass roadways were the most effected by the rain. Thankfully, the area had a dry spell leading up to AirVenture, allowing the soil to soak up much of the rainfall.

 

In news from around AirVenture, following on the footsteps of Tom Poberezny's retirement announcement yesterday, EAA's President and CEO, Rod Hightower, announced an expansion plan for the EAA's Young Eagles program. Beginning in 2012, the program will expand it's reach to include adults and no longer be limited to just kids between the ages of 8 and 17. The adult program will be a spinoff of the Young Eagles. Specific details, and a name, have not yet been released, but it should be popular and possibly become a catalyst to re-ignite interest in general aviation. 

 

Today was also Navy Day at AirVenture and the day started with a special honor flight presented by Southwest Airlines.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Rain moves in for Navy Day, day 3 of AirVenture. - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/rain-moves-for-navy-day-day-3-of-airventure#ixzz1TSqxKeBa

Day 4 highlights:

AirVenture 2011 is now past the halfway point of the world's greatest aviation celebration and what better way to mark the midpoint than to honor two of the greatest aviation legends. The weather held out for most of the day unlike on Wednesday, with rain finally moving in toward the evening and expected to clear out by nightfall. The parking areas were still in good condition, but the grass roadways were muddy but open. The general aviation parking was reported as 90% full with the general aviation parking area at 80%. 

The day focused on Burt Rutan, a legendary designer of aircraft, some of which are more known for how unique they appear than anything else.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Day 4 of AirVenture spent honoring aviation legends - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/day-4-of-airventure-spent-honoring-aviation-legends#ixzz1TSrCAc3j

 

2011 Airventure Day one recap

Missed day 1? Here's my write up of the first day of this years Oshkosh. 

Day one of EAA's 2011 Airventure has drawn to a close with some exciting events in the books, with plenty more in stock the rest of the week. The crowds also continued to swell on the first day, with fly-in areas filling quickly. As of 3:45 pm the General Aviation camping area was 80% full and the General Aviation parking area was 75% full.  

Capping off the day is REO Speedwagon, currently on stage for the sixth annual opening day concert presented by Ford Motor Company. The concert performances will continue with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band on Friday and Aaron Tippen on Saturday. 

Hawker Beechcraft showcased a new upgrade opportunity for Bonanza owners that has come to be nicknamed 'Extreme Makeover: Bonanza Edition.' The actual upgrade is called the Bonanza Extra Tim Glaser, manager of sales/aftermarket development, stated that 'We wanted to offer our current customers more performance, comfort, and safety.'  The upgrades include the same engine found on current production model A36 Bonanzas, the Teledyne Special Edition IO-550 paired with a Hartzell 3-bladed propeller. The new engine, combined with the propeller, provides improved climb and cruise performance while decreasing noise and vibration. The increased in the performance add 150 lbs of usable weight, that can be utilized as carried weight or used to fill the new 20-gallon tip tanks (40 gallon total). For additional modifications and the cost and time of the upgrade, see EAA's article on the Bonanza Extra. 

In addition, some other interesting aircraft that were present were a replica Supermarine Spitfire from the WWII era along with Burt Rutan's 'Boomerang' design aircraft.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Exciting first day of Airventure 2011 draws to a close - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/exciting-first-day-of-airventure-2011-draws-to-a-close#ixzz1TB0d0sRp