Saturday, March 24, 2012

Lesson 20 - First Night Flight

DATE: 20th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC   
ROUTE: CHD -> Class Bravo -> DVT -> SDL -> FFZ -> IWA -> CHD
DURATION: 1.7 hrs
LANDINGS: 5
TOTAL TIME: 25.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - First night flight. Departed 22R and climbed through class Bravo to 5500 MSL. Touch and go at DVT. Taxi back at SDL. Transition through FFZ and a stop and go at IWA before returning back to CHD for circuits.

Next Lesson - 28th March.

Lesson 19

DATE: 19th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hrs
LANDINGS: 7
TOTAL TIME: 23.6 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - VOR navigation using the Phoenix, Willie and Standfield VOR's.

Next Lesson - 20th March.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Lesson 18 - Stage 2 Check

DATE: 18th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.4 hrs
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 22.6 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Stage 2 check with the Chief instructor. A Pacific storm was passing through so we pretty much had the airspace to ourselves. We flew south and climbed to 4700'MSL to check out the cloud base level. 

Next Lesson - 19th March.

Monday, March 12, 2012

KIWA Open House

On Saturday I had the chance to visit an open house day at Phoenix Mesa Gateway airport (KIWA).

What struck me the most was the fact there were no barriers around the aircraft. Back in the U.K. you are allowed nowhere near the aircraft.


I spent a couple of hours walking around the aircraft, talking with the pilots and taking several photo's.


I was then treated to several of the aircraft starting their engines and departing on one of the northerly runways.


There were a wide range of helicopters, civil owned aircraft and military aircraft. All in all, it was just another great aviation day out in Arizona.












Time for relfection

I have managed to accumulate over 20 hours of flight training since early January. I have my stage 2 stage check on Sunday. After that, I will be on the last leg of my flight training. With transferring my hours from Ireland, I have met the total flight hour requirements already, but I still need to close out on some FAA requirements;
  1. Night flight hours.
  2. Solo cross country hours.
  3. Written test.
  4. Oral and flight test
Flying over the last 9 weeks has made me a better pilot. I have now flown 4.2 hours PiC over 6 solo flights. Flying in the US has made me realise how disjointed my flight training in Ireland was. Not the fault of the flying school, but rather the fact that I stopped my flight training every few hours. I wasn't able to get any traction on regular hours.


I have been nothing but impressed with Chandler Air Service at KCHD. My instructor has been great and the aircraft have always been available.


The final part of my training is going to be amazing. I have some night flights coming up shortly followed by several hours cross country. I can't express how excited I am about starting the cross country part of the training.


It's now time to hit the books and work towards that written test in early April. I am targeting a mid to April end completion date.








Solo 6

DATE: 12th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   
ROUTE: CHD 
DURATION: 1.0 hrs PiC
LANDINGS: 6
TOTAL TIME: 21.2 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - Solo Short and Soft field procedures. 6 landings in total.

Next Lesson - 18th March (stage 2 stage check)

Lesson 17


DATE: 11th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288   
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.2 hrs
LANDINGS: 5
TOTAL TIME: 20.2 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Stage 2 practice in the southern practice area. Returned to the airport for soft and short field landings.

Next Lesson - 12th March.

Lesson 16

DATE: 10th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC   
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.2 hrs
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 19.0 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Stage 2 practice in the souther practice area. Return to the airport for a couple of soft field landings.

Next Lesson - 11th March.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

getmyppl audiocast #004 / Solo Short and Soft


Link to MP3 File - getmypplcast #004

I am sharing the audio from soft and short field solo flight which took place early Friday evening. First you will hear the taxi out up until the first take off. After the beep, you will hear my final circuit.

The Flight - 9th March 2012 / C172N N734HC / CHD / Solo Flight

Flight Details - My fifth solo. Practised soft and short field procedures. Another 0.8hrs PiC added in the logbook.


Solo 5

DATE: 9th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC   
ROUTE: CHD 
DURATION: 0.8 hrs PiC
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 17.8 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - Solo Short and Soft field procedures. Slight cross wind. 4 landings in total.

Next Lesson - 10th March.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lesson 13, 14 and 15

DATE: 3rd, 5th and 7th March 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC   
ROUTE: CHD 
DURATION: 3.4 hrs
LANDINGS: 24!
TOTAL TIME: 17.0 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Introduction to soft and short field procedures. 7th March was supposed to be solo, but the wind was gusting from the west, therefore I practised crosswind landings with my instructor.

Next Lesson - 9th March.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Plans for March

March is upon us already. I have managed a little over 14 hours flight training since commencing my training in January. It is now time to step it up a gear.


I had a meeting with my instructor this week. I told him I want to target my checkride for April end. That means I need to fly minimum 2 to 3 times a week through March. I also need to study hard and be in a position to take the written test early April. 


I have been able to xfer my 40 JAA hours towards my FAA license. This means I have technically met the total hours needed, but I do need to close out on the solo cross country and night flight requirements. I am not saying I am ready for my checkride (far from it), but if I study hard and fly as much as I can, it will be possible to close out my license before May. I have a personal goal to meet, hence why I am giving myself this deadline.


March is going to be a great month. Time to hit the books and the skies.

Solo 4

DATE: 28th February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 0.8 hour PiC
LANDINGS: 1
TOTAL TIME: 14.4 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Solo flight. Departed 22R, south departure. Practised ground reference manoeuvres.

Key Learnings - Another great solo flight. Southern practise area very busy. Had to work hard to find clear airspace. 


Next Lesson - 3rd March.

Lesson 12

DATE: 25th February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 1
TOTAL TIME: 13.6 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Practised ground reference manoeuvres; rectangular pattern, s turns and turning around a point. An additional 0.2hr under the hood with unusual attitude recovery.

Next Lesson - 28th February.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

getmyppl audiocast #003 / Solo Practice Part 2

Link to MP3 File - getmypplcast #003


Here is the audio for my first solo power on stall. I was basically out of balance during the stall, therefore the left wing dropped and although I knew how to recover, it still shook me up.

For the remainder of the cast, I play the audio for the return to the airport, a touch and go and my full stop landing. The circuit was busy, so there are no gaps in the audio. Can you spot that I didn't do any pre landing checks for my touch and go? 

The Flight - 16th February 2012 / C172P N54288 / CHD / Solo Flight

Flight Details - Part 2 of a 0.8 hour PiC flight. Audio covers the power on stall and return to the airport. 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

getmyppl audiocast #002 / Solo Practice Part 1

Link to MP3 File - getmypplcast #002


Today's flight was my first full solo flight. On previous solo flights, I had performed a couple of touch and goes with the instructor before getting released. Today, the instructor had a day off. I am sure he sat at home worrying about me all day!


I'm splitting the audio into two parts. Today I will share the power up checks, slow flight and steep turns manoeuvres. Part 2 will follow next week which will summarise the power off/on stalls (eventful!) followed by the return home/touch and go. 

The Flight - 16th February 2012 / C172P N54288 / CHD / Solo Flight


Flight Details - Part 1 of a 0.8 hour PiC flight. Audio covers the power up checks, slow flight and steep turns. All took place on a very busy Unicom frequency in the Southern training area south of Chandler.


Solo 3

DATE: 16th February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 0.8 hour PiC
LANDINGS: 2
TOTAL TIME: 12.6 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Solo flight. Departed 22R, south departure. Practised slow flight, steep turns and power off/on stalls.

Key Learnings - Great solo experience again. Gaining confidence in the air on my own. 2 good landings. Did not enjoy the power on stall. The left wing dropped more than I was hoping. 


Next Lesson - 22nd February.

Monitoring the Wx

Big flight coming up this evening. Will be my first full solo flight away from the airport. I have to practice slow flights, steep turns and stalls.

I have been monitoring the Wx all day. Looks like my flight will be a GO this evening despite the appearance that the cloud cover is increasing.

METAR - KCHD 161747Z 00000KT 40SM SCT120 SCT200 12/02 A3001=



 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

getmyppl audiocast #001

Link to MP3 File - getmyppl audiocast #001


As you know, I have had issues making my podcast and uploading it to iTunes. I was also not happy with the recorded quality of the non cockpit audio. I have therefore decided to release the cockpit audio on its own. Each audiocast will have accompanying comments written in the blog to support the audio material. Hopefully over the coming weeks I can resolve the iTunes issue and improve my voice over comments.


Note: I do talk a lot during my flying. The cockpit audio is real and not doctored for this cast.


The Flight - 6th February 2012 / C172P N54288 / CHD / First FAA Solo

Flight Details - My first solo two touch and goes followed by my first full stop landing. Cockpit audio for the second touch and go has been excluded. 22R at CHD. The flight took place two days after my stage one checkride. Prior to the solo, I had flown three decent touch and goes with my instructor. The winds were light and very little traffic in the circuit. We were both happy for me to go solo.

Supporting Material - CHD Airport Details

A big thank you to Ken Dravis for allowing me to use his music as part of my intro and ending. You can download his aviation themed music via iTunes.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Best part yet?

I am now approaching 12 hours flying in the US. Currently working on stage 2 of my flight training. 

So far, my favourite parts have been:

1. Hood work and unusual attitude recovery.
2. First solo away from the airport.
3. All landings :)

I am dreaming of that IFR ticket before I return to Europe in 2013. Recovering from unusual attiude recovery with the hood has to be the most fun I have had in an aircraft. I have read for many years about spatial diorientation. Now I can appreciate the comment "trust your instruments". I have recovered four times from unusual attitude and each time I had no idea what attitude I was flying in until I looked at the instruments.

No Podcast

Looks like I can't get this iTunes issue resolved for a while. Apple are trying to help, but the iTunes software is not robust enough to cope with different laptop settings (Firewalls, LAN connections etc).

Instead of making a podcast, I will blog about my flights and then put a direct link to the MP3 audio file in the blog entry.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Lesson 11

DATE: 13th February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 11.7 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R for the south training area. Practised slow flight, stalls and steep turns. Hood work and unusal attitude recovery under the hood.  Two touch and goes on 22L and 22R with x-winds.

Key Learnings - Good flight today. Finally grasped the technique of "catching" the stall. Approaches and landings were good. Good focus on maintaining the centre line with the rudder whilst using aileron into the wind. During the unusual attitude recovery, need to first focus on the airspeed indicator. Increase or decrease will determine the probable attitude. Also learn how to remember the control direction on the tarmac for windy days "climb into, dive away".

Next Lesson - Planned for the 16th February 2012. Will be a full solo flight with the plan to practise stalls, steep turns and slow flight.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

iTunes Issues

I have pulled episode 1 of my podcast until I resolve an issue with iTunes. Hope to have it resolved over the coming days.


In the mean time, I will re-post the audio in a separate blog entry.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Solo 2 - away from the airport

Today was my first solo flight away from CHD. Performed two touch and goes with my instructor before being released to the training area. What an amazing experience. 


I climbed to 3500' and performed some gentle turns. Wind picked up, so I headed back for a full stop landing. My instructor had requested two touch and goes, but I made the decision for a full stop landing rather than circuits (went from calm to 10kts at 60degrees off the nose).

DATE: 8th February 2012

AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288
ROUTE: CHD Circuits --> Solo Southern Training Area
DURATION: 0.5 DUAL / 0.6 hour Solo PiC
LANDINGS: 3 / 1
TOTAL TIME: 10.7 DUAL / 1.0 hour Solo PiC (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - Circuits followed by first solo away from the pattern.

Key Learnings - Again, again.



Monday, February 6, 2012

Solo 1 - first FAA solo

After passing the stage 1 check ride last week, I was expecting to  solo at some stage this week. However, I wasn't expecting it to happen today. 


I performed four Touch and Goes with my instructor. The flight was perfect. Zero wind. Zero traffic. Then he told me I was ready. 


Within a month of commencing my FAA training, I flew two Touch and Goes followed by a full stop. I will save the details for my up and coming podcast.


DATE: 6th February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288
ROUTE: CHD Circuits
DURATION: 0.7 DUAL / 0.4 hour Solo PiC
LANDINGS: 4 / 3
TOTAL TIME: 10.2 DUAL / 0.4 hour Solo PiC (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - First solo flight in the US.

Key Learnings - I can fly!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Lesson 10 - Stage 1 Check

DATE: 1st February 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 0.9 hour
LANDINGS: 1
TOTAL TIME: 9.5 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)

Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Stage 1 check ride. Slow flight, stalls, steep turns and simulated engine out.

Key Learnings - Had my first experience of leaning the mixture. Taught the method of 100F rich of peak EGT. Couple of issues with my stall recovery which I need to work on. Other than that, it was a successful stage check.

Cockpit audio sample #1 - http://tinyurl.com/7rlqzx9

Cockpit audio sample #2 - http://tinyurl.com/7ml99ua

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Constructive Criticism or Negative Attitude?

I am trying to critique my performance after every flight. I don't know if I am being too harsh on myself. 


This week I started to record the audio from the cockpit. Listening back has made me realise that I am forgetting key information about the manoeuvres I am supposed to be flying. As a result of this, I sat down this evening and listened to the  entire hour of the recorded audio. I made bullet point notes for each manoeuvre performed during the up and coming stage 1 check ride. 


When I recommenced my JAA training back in Ireland in July, I had a much more positive attitude towards reviewing my lessons.


Maybe it's time to focus more on the positive? Let the fact I made these notes today be the start of a more positive attitude towards analysing my performance. 



Monday, January 30, 2012

Lesson 9

DATE: 30th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288  
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 8.4 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R for the south training area. Ran through the required items for the stage 1 checkride. Back to the circuit for 2 touch and goes with simulated engine failure on the downwind.


Key Learnings - Judged the approach profile better on the simulated engine failures. Need to revise the emergency checklists. For a real life engine failure, will need to find a spot and stick with it. Quick thinking needed on determining the approach path. For the power off stalls, I was allowing the nose to drop too far. Need to focus on the climb out profile post the stall recovery (first notch of flap as soon as the VSI deflects).

FAA Class 3 Medical

Today I visited a local FAA Medical Examiner. I have to admit, it's much easier to obtain an FAA medical endorsement compared to one from the JAA.


Next up will be my stage 1 check ride. All going well, I should solo in the next week.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Lesson 8

DATE: 28th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC  
ROUTE: Circuits at CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 8
TOTAL TIME: 7.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Wind 340/9kts. Circuits on 04L. Normal and glide approaches.


Key Learnings - 8 landings in the one hour. Good confidence builder with the 90deg cross wind. Screwed up a few radio calls but it didn't take away from flying the aircraft at all times. Good experience learning about the longer crosswind leg and  shorter base due to the wind direction and strength. Put the flaps in too early on one of the glide approaches which would have meant not making the runway in real life. With the stronger wind, was able to correct for speed and altitude at various points in the circuit.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/872hkvn

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Obama visit

#POTUS visited my work Wednesday, however my attempt at capturing a decent photo of AF1 failed.


Obama departed KIWA at 1900L on runway 30R. This was too far away for my cheap camera to capture any decent image.


Here are a couple of photographs that I snapped at various points throughout the day.





Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lesson 7

DATE: 24th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.1 hour
LANDINGS: 3
TOTAL TIME: 6.3 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Climbed at V = 75/80/90kts.  Simulated engine fail. Nailed the approach. Ground reference manoeuvres. S turns. Turning around a point. Two more simulated engine fails. Back to CHD for Touch and Go's on 22L. Switched to 22R for the final landing.


Key Learnings - Confidence grew after nailing the first simulated engine fail. On the next one, took too long choosing a suitable landing area. Struggled to understand the purpose of the ground reference manoeuvres at first. S turns and turning around a point were easier to comprehend. Slight cross wind on approach. Nailed 2/3 landings.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/6vwfdpq

Monday, January 23, 2012

Grounded by a TFR........

Due to fly Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday this week. However, the FAA has decided to post a TFR for Wednesday in the Phoenix area which will prevent me from flying. No it's not because of my landing's, but due to the fact there is a VIP in town.




This TFR may give me the opportunity to see AF1 for the first time ever. The airspace around KIWA and KCHD appears to be in lock down Wednesday evening. From the NOTAM information, I think #POTUS will be flying in and out of KIWA. In addition, it's a chance to see the support aircraft that follows  #POTUS.


Based on the following statement in the TFR text, I definitely won't be flying Wednesday!


C. The following operations are not authorized within this TFR: flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, seaplane operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, sightseeing operations, maintenance test flights, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and utility and pipeline survey operations. 


Italic text and image courtesy of the FAA TFR website



Lesson 6


DATE: 21st January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 5
TOTAL TIME: 5.2 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Climbed to 4000'. Foggle work including unusual attitude recovery (great fun!!). Then circuit work on 22L. Switched to 22R due to traffic. Switching circuits meant dealing with different drift angles (LH and RH patterns).


Key Learnings - Unusual attitude recovery is great fun. 3/5 good landings. Lost the picture on the last two (tiredness?). Great experience having to switch runways. Switching circuits meant dealing with different drift angles (LH and RH patterns). Transition between downwind and base much better. Had the confidence to tighten up the circuit pattern. Need to remain focused on what control inputs are needed to land on the centre line.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Lesson 5

DATE: 18th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 5
TOTAL TIME: 4.2 hours (+ 45.5 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Climbed at V = 75/80/90kts.  Power on followed by power off stall. Slow flight involving slow turns and climbs. Then accelerated stalls in a 45deg bank.  Headed back to CHD for 4 touch and goes on 22L and a full stop. 


Key Learnings - More confident with the stalls and slow flight hence why I executed them better. The accelerated stalls really showed how docile the aircraft can be. 1 good, 3 ok and 2 poor landings. Need to focus on control inputs needed to achieve 80kts, 2250' on the downwind. Taught new method for transitioning into the decent once abeam the numbers.  Better awareness of the circuit status today (parallel runway and other traffic).


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/74hh7dj

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Lesson 4

DATE: 17th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 2
TOTAL TIME: 3.2 hours (+ 40.0 JAA)


Lesson Summary - Departed 22R. Power off and on stall. Steep turns. Simulated Emergency Landings. Banked stall. Touch and Go. More confident with the stalls today. Wind was calm but shifted direction a couple of times. 


Key Learning - Pay attention to departure headings. Fly runway heading means runway heading. Do not allow the wind to cause the aircraft to drift towards the center line of the other runway. Both approaches high. This was a common problem in Ireland. Need to sort out in the next lesson.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/7o9r7cu

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Lesson 3

DATE: 14th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288 
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 0.9 hour
LANDINGS: 1


Lesson Summary - Reviewed slow flight, steep turns and stalls (power off, power on, banked stalls). Long final to 04L. Great landing. 


Key Learning - Not focused whilst setting for the approach. Lined up on 04R instead of 04L. Had to be corrected by the instructor. Need to listen out to all radio calls. Incorrectly acknowledged a landing clearance for another aircraft. Lost awareness that an aircraft was landing 04R whilst I was landing 04L.


liveATC Audio - http://tinyurl.com/726e2fm

Lesson 2

DATE: 10th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172N N734HC
ROUTE: CHD -> {Southern Training Area} -> CHD
DURATION: 0.3 hour
LANDINGS: 0 !


Lesson Summary - Supposed to fly to the training area for stalls, turns etc however the take off was aborted due to a stuck magneto. Aircraft towed away to the hangar for repair.


Key Learning - Power low on the take off run. Showed good airmanship to abort the take off.


liveATC Audiohttp://tinyurl.com/7nrop4m

Lesson 1

DATE: 7th January 2012
AIRCRAFT: C172P N54288
ROUTE: CHD -> CGZ -> A39 -> CHD
DURATION: 1.0 hour
LANDINGS: 3 


Lesson Summary - First FAA lesson. Chance for the instructor to gauge my previous experience from Europe. Departed runway 22R and flew touch and goes at CGZ and A39 before heading back to CHD. Landed 22L at CHD. Slight cross winds on all approaches. Required right aileron and left rudder.


Key Learning - Flying in Arizona is fun! Set the trim to Take Off and not neutral.


liveatc.net Audiohttp://tinyurl.com/7hauypu 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

First Flight.......................

First week was amazing and eventful. I have flown twice although the second lesson was aborted during the take off roll! Hadn't flown since November. Was great to get back up in the air.

I plan to summarise each week via a short podcast. Hoping for the first one to be released this weekend after my first three flights.

In the mean time, check out some of the ATC audio courtesy of liveatc.net 

ATC Audio


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

First Lesson Booked

First FAA lesson is booked for Saturday 7th January.


Hear my first lesson on liveatc.net from 4pm UTC http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kchd

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Road Trip...........

My family and I took a road trip to Vegas for a couple of days before New Year. 


Being an #AvGeek, I had to take the opportunity to check out a couple of places during the trip. Since 9/11, I am conscious about hanging around airport fences with a camera. However, I was able to take a couple of photo's at two locations.


Vegas was amazing. A buzz of airline, biz jet and helicopter traffic. 


skyvector.com came in handy again to help me figure out the local airspace around Vegas. 


KLAS Executive Terminal




KIGM Kingman Aviation Bone Yard