jwn57030

As an engineer learning to fly I have run into the same kind of issues in ground school. The instructors have no real background in physics. They just know what they were told when they got their certificate or degree in aviation. I have had to more than once correct what they said and sometimes hold my tongue. Its not really their fault as its what they were taught, but the text book makers and people in charge definitely need to do a better job. One of my biggest concerns with ground school is that seems to be more about teaching you to pass the test instead of having an in depth understanding of topics.

I'm really glad I saw this. In training I always practiced simulated engine loss, but nothing was ever mentioned about partial power loss. Now I realize practicing simulated engine failure was practicing partial power loss. It does make sense you would follow the exact same procedure as full engine loss. The most important being FLY THE PLANE. I like to study airplane accidents and I do find it scary how many deaths have occurred because the pilot just forgot to fly the plane. It shows how important it is to not just learn checklists for certain emergencies, but to learn problem solving skills to be able to handle a problem that doesn't have a checklist. Thanks for posting this. I like anything that reminds me or makes me think about safety.

Awesome Job. Made me wish I was flying right now.

Your going to have lots of fun with your X Country solo. I think it was the most stressful part of training but also the most interesting and rewarding. Just make sure you don't forget to fly the plane. A couple of times during my x-country solo I looked down at my charts a little to long and when I looked back up and was in a 10% bank. Also you have to be constantly ready to adapt. On my first x-country solo the river I was expecting to follow on my chart was actually empty. So I had to do some unplanned dead reckoning to find my next way point. I don't think I've had a cross country without having to make some small change to my original plan. Its also exciting to be able to land at some airports you have never been to before. Hope you continue to have lots of fun and success.

Nice landing! Looked a lot better than my first solo landing. Good to hear your making such good progress.

So is your flight time completely free or just ground classes? If so, that is a great deal for you. Also as stated above, the simulator has it place but make sure you start your training in an actual plane first.

When I started I didn't think I would want to have any of my training in a simulator. For private you are required to have minimum 3 hours flying by instruments. I think that's what the simulator was great for. You can simulate weather conditions that you wouldn't normally fly into if you are doing it in a real plane. Having an idea what it will feel like if I ever accidentally fly into zero viability is invaluable. Also by the time you do the instrument portion you know how to fly the plane anyway, so I didn't find it detracted from my experience of learning to fly the real thing. So personally I would learn to fly the real thing before getting any simulator time. Do you already know that the community college does not have planes or instructors for this program? For getting an instructor I would first ask if the community college has an recommendations. They may partner with someone. If not look for flying schools or flying clubs around your local airport or airports. You can walk into any of them and they will be glad to help you find an instructor right for you. You may not want to take the first one they give you. Its important that the 2 of you can work well together and you feel comfortable with the instructor. It might be a good idea to talk with more than one instructor and take a introductory flight with more than one to get an idea of how they teach. Here is a link for a tool to search for flight schools in your area http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/school/index.cfm. If you ask the instructors they will definitely go over with you what you will need to buy and have with you. At a minimum you should have your own headset. If your not so sure about flying yet you can buy a cheap headset for $100. You can buy a decent headset for $300-$400. Another thing I would always have is a bottle of water especially in the summer. You don't realize how quickly you can get dehydrated flying a plane. For cross country flights you will need charts and a kneeboard, but you don't need to buy these right away as you will get to that later in your training. Also a very simple pen and piece of paper can be very useful. When you get to night flying, you might want a flashlight with a red bulb so as not to blind you while your flying. One big thing you might want to figure out is the cost vs quality. You don't necessarily have to go to a community college to learn to fly unless you are looking at a career and need the degree. Most flying schools at your local airport will have everything you need to learn to fly, have great quality instruction, and possibly at a much cheaper price than a community college. You might want to check reviews of local flying clubs and flying schools online to get an idea of quality and then compare some prices. I would ask them the basic questions of whats required to get your private pilots certificate. By going over the requirements it will give you an idea of whats ahead in your training and might spark some more questions. Don't be afraid to ask your instructors at the college or your flight instructor any questions. That's what they are there for. If they are unwilling to answer your questions find someone else immediately.

Stating to do landings with an instructor sitting next to you is just a little "Gulp...". Once you take off for the first time by yourself and realize you now have to land without anyone else there to help you. That's the big "Gulp...". Don't worry though, your instructor won't let you go up by yourself until (s)he's sure you can land the plane yourself without hurting yourself. The feeling of taking off for the first time by myself is something I will never forget. Sounds like your training is progressing well and your doing exactly what you should be going. Having a great time, and listening to and feeling what the plane is telling you. Try not to worry to much about the radio calls. Its intimidating for everyone at first and gets easier with practice and time.

I'm thinking I should start being more crazy like you. I'm might start trying this at random places and see what looks I get:) Seriously this is a great idea. In school I was horrible at giving speeches. Then I actually got into acting which taught me to take a whole different approach to giving speeches. I started memorizing and practicing them out loud over and over like I would for a stage performance. After all the rehearsal my confidence went way up when giving speeches because by the time the real thing came it was almost second nature. I think the same thing can definately work for radio calls.

Definately agree with the glider training. I'm planning to do it after I finish my private. I'm hoping it will greatly improve my rudder control and crosswind landings. Now that you put it this way I wish I would have thought of doing glider training before powered flight.

Practice, practice, practice.... Also realize at times you will have days that just don't go as well as you would have liked. Sometimes there will be maneuvers or landings that you will get frustrated with because you are not progressing as fast as you think you should be. I had a couple of days in my training where my landings were so bad that I really questioned if I should continue flying. I'm glad I didn't quit, as the next time I flew I was able to greatly improve. Sometimes it just takes a couple of days of not flying to help focus yourself. Also as my instructor says everyone has a bad day now and then. Another I think that should be added to the list is talking on the radio. A lot of new students have problems with that. I still feel very self conscious and make mistakes when getting into busy airspace and talking to approach or departure.

Thanks for all the great thoughts and ideas for me to think about. I defiantly plan on continuing learning other planes and getting more training even if it does get a little hard at times.

I have just began learning to fly a second model of airplane. The plane I got my license with was a low wing and the new one I am learning is a high wing. While cruising the new plane seems more stable and easier to fly. The biggest issue I am having is with take off's and landings. It literally feels like I am relearning both in this plane. I am curious if this a typical experience, or if its dependent on how similiar the new model of plane you are flying?

Here's the watch that I went for. It's more for looks than useful in the air. It is not digital and only has an altimeter. I think it looks great, but the altimeter is hard to read if you are measuring in feet. Its easier to read in meters. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VDI1IE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Congratulations and thanks for making me think of my first solo. I am feeling awesome just thinking about it. Staying on the centerline was always my biggest problem but it did get better with practice.