Three Years Later

Three years ago this week I had screwed up my check ride. One week later I went back and covered the gaps. I was a Private Pilot. 

So many memories over the last three years some of which are captured in this video I made back in 2013. For those who are surrounded by aviation everyday, never forget how lucky you are. Go out and introduce someone new to flying this week or take that adventure flight you've been holding off doing. #letsgoflying

Flying Club

Living in AZ was like having one of those dreams that you never want to finish. For the entire family it was just the best time ever. I look back and smile when I relive the aviation experiences I had. I'm forever grateful for the aviation experiences I had the people I met (you know who you are!)

Fast forward to 2015. I have now joined my first flying club. The club operates a few nm's SW of Dublin and run a single C172P registration EI-ING. I look forward to getting checked out by the CFI in two weeks time and look more forward to some Irish flying adventures in 2015.

https://flic.kr/p/nSmqFf

First Flight 2015

Had my first flight of 2015 a couple of weeks back. Flew with my old CFI out of Weston in Charlie Fox Yankee (C172). We filed a short VFR flight plan over the city of Dublin and onto Dun Laoghaire before returning to Weston. 

ATC cleared me out of the local zone and I then contacted DUB TWR on 118.6Mhz for the transition over the city. TWR requested we remain south of the river Liffey so that I did not interfere with the inbounds into runway 28 EIDW.

Logged 36 minutes in total. Short flight but still fun to get airborne for the first time in 2015.

Dublin, Ireland

River Liffey

Next flight will be my checkout flight at the new flying club I am in the process of joining. After that I will be enjoying some great flying adventures around Ireland!

Joining A Flying Club

I am in the process of joining a flying club here in Ireland. More details to follow next week!

Last US Flight - SEATAC Class Bravo Transition

A few months late, I can finally release the GoPro video from my last flight in the US. Big thanks to my wife for letting me live the American Aviation dream. I have great memories for the rest of my life.

#ShareAviation #letgsgoflying #seeya

Airplane Geeks Podcast

Has social media been great for you? In early 2011 I was close to giving up on Facebook and I hardly ever used Twitter. But then Pieter Johnson and the Airplane Geeks discovered my aviation story. Since that first appearance on the Across The Pond section of the podcast in September 2011, I've embraced every opportunity that social media has offered me. 

Twitter is not just about reading posts on what people had for dinner last night! Used correctly it can open up new opportunities for you within aviation or your interests.

Facebook is not just about finding old friends. It too can open up new opportunities within aviation. 

The message here is that you should never stop telling the world your General Aviation stories and dreams/aspirations. Use social media to share your story.

You can hear my 4th appearance on the Across the Pond segment of the Airplane Geeks. Check out episode 327.

Thanks Pieter, Max, Rob and David for all the coverage you have provided over the last three years. The US aviation chapter has finished (for now). I'm now embarking on a new chapter in Europe on the other side of the pond.

Be sure to check out Aviation Xtended and the Airplane Geeks podcasts on iTunes.

737 NG Simulator

Logged 0.75 hours in a non-motion 737 NG which is located at my local airport here in Ireland.

EIDW ILS Approach Runway 28

Spent the time flying approaches and touch'n goes into Dublin Airport. Departed on the LIFFY 5A SID and then joined the ILS at about 10-15nm near LAPMO. 

For the last two approaches, I asked for 1/2SM visibility and proceeded to hand fly the aircraft down to minimums. Great fun.

Aircraft felt a little over sensitive to pitch control changes but I've never flown a real 737 so I have nothing to compare it to! 

Have another sim session booked. before the end of the year. Planning to fly a short hop between Dublin and Liverpool which should take about 30 minutes.

Inside 737 NG

Maiden Flight Podcast

After a few years of conversations on social media, I finally met Mark from the Maiden Flight Podcast. Enjoyed aviation hangar flying at Weston Airport. Great guy with a true passion for aviation.

I'm hoping 2015 is a great aviation year for both of us.

Be sure to check out Mark's podcast at http://www.maidenflightpodcast.com/

@pilot_ngb & @markisflying

Finally I Flew!!!

For the first time in 5 months I actually got airborne!!


I have missed flying, but to be honest, its been hard settling back into life in Ireland and I probably wasn't in the right mindset to get back up in the air. Too many distractions away from aviation.

Cold Crisp Morning at EIWT

Charlie Fox Yankee

Ended up flying 1.0 hours with my old CFI. We didn't get very far before finding ourselves on top of a large bank of low cloud that stretched for an eternity. 

Ended up back in the pattern for 5 touch and goes and a full stop. Very happy with my approaches and landings especially after such a long break.

I can't wait to get airborne again in a few weeks. Have some great adventures planned. I hope to fly Charlie Fox Papa next. Those who follow me, know what type of aircraft that is!!







Ran into a couple of Cessna Caravan's on the ramp from South Africa. They are visiting Ireland supporting geological surveys. By the sounds of it, they get to fly around Ireland at 500-800agl all day long. All that wasted space in the aircraft. Maybe they will take me along for a ride!

Cessna Caravan ZS-FSA

Inside ZS-FSA

Flying this weekend

Getting airborne again this weekend. Details to follow..............

Four Months. Airborne Soon.........

Life has certainly changed for me since I left the US and returned to Europe. I've not flown for four months, the longest period on the ground since becoming a Private Pilot in the US.

I've said it before and will say it again, you have something very special in the US. Live for the moment. Fly when you can. I challenge you to introduce someone new to aviation over the next two weeks.

Come back on here and share your newbie story. I hope to be airborne again in a few weeks and I will certainly be on here sharing my new endeavors with you.

N54288 - Overnight trip to KLUF

This photo was taken on my first overnight trip as a Private Pilot, I flew from CHD to LUF and spent two days at Luke Air Force Base with the F-16 pilots learning how to navigate the skies around AZ safely. Oh yes, they let me fly the multi-million dollar simulator too - does it get much better than this?

Flying Next Week

3 months since I was airborne. Planning a flight next week. Stay tuned...............

2 Years

I've let myself down. I've missed my 2 year PPL ASEL anniversary by 3 days! 

Words can't describe the joys I've experienced over the last 2 years. I've survived the bad landings to share my stories with anyone who has wanted to listen.

Always chase your dreams my friends. Push yourself go take your adventures one step further. Never stop being a student. Never stop telling stories. Never stop smiling.

Departing 07R KPHX December 2012

SKYHAWK 288 @ Cutter Aviation @ KPHX

FLOATPLANE 21 TANGO @ Seattle

Meanwhile back in Ireland.....................

Been over a month since I flew. Life goes on here in Ireland. I have enquired about joining one of two flying clubs near Dublin. Hopefully I can join one in a few weeks time and fly in the autumn before the weather worsens for the winter.

Stay tuned. I am sure there are some great flying adventures ahead. Meanwhile, enjoy a few photos I've captured around Dublin Airport over the last few weeks.

In the Pattern Podcast

Big shout out to the team over at +In The Pattern Podcast for having me on their show. Having the opportunity to share my story sums up how powerful social media is in terms of building an aviation community.

Three years ago, these guys were just "voices in my head". Thanks to social media, I've met them at Oshkosh and flown with one of them. As we both lived in Arizona, I wish had met Chris a few months earlier but we did manage to fly twice before I left the US. 

The four Private Pilots all have similar experiences and hours build since passing their checkrides. Their podcast started back when they were Student Pilots. If you have not been listening, now would be a good time to look them up on iTunes or whatever software you use to listen to aviation podcasts.

Thanks Chris, John, Brad and Mark!

Link to audio - https://inthepatternpodcast.simplecast.fm/65

Ballyboy Airfield

First weekend in Ireland and I'm already having withdrawal symptoms from the US. As a result, I dragged my family to a BBQ event at Ballyboy Airfield (EIMH) which is located approx. 25nm NW of Dublin.

skyvector.com VFR Map

Spent a couple of hours touring the grounds and watching the aircraft arriving and departing. 

The Irish Coast Guard showed up with their Sikorsky helicopter. Lolar from the Aer Lingus Charitable Foundation also made an appearance. Good to see a couple of N reg Cessna's parked on the grass.

I'm looking forward to attending as many fly-ins over here in Ireland over the coming months. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm flying into one myself. 

Wakey Wakey #letsgoflying

Irish Coast Guard Sikorsky S-92A

UK Registered Cessna 140

Chipmunks in RAF and Irish Air Corps Paint Schemes

918 Days

918 days after arriving in the US it is time to leave and head back to Ireland. I returning home to Ireland with no regrets.

So long America. See you next time.

N54288 KCHD

Last Adventure

Had my last adventure in the US. 3.5 hours logged on a cross country between Oregon and Seattle. Landed at KRNT which is my 42nd airport. Never quite made it to 50!

SEATTLE TAC

VFR transition across SEATAC class bravo was amazing.

Return flight is available on Flightaware.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N5440H/history/20140521/0212Z/KSEA/KPDX

Photos to follow.

Seattle Seaplanes - Part 2

Aborted take-off and my first glassy water technique approach and landing.

Seattle Seaplanes - Part 1

Check out my video from last weekend. Hopefully it motivates someone to go and try Seaplane flying.