Prop Blur

Attempting to fix my GoPro HERO 2 prop blur issue with a $7 fix versus a $77 fix!

I've ordered a .6ND, 20x24 2 Stop Neutral Density Lighting Filter which according to the internet will fix all my issues. Hope it arrives before my next flight.

Here is a sample video from YouTube courtesy of @climiek. Okay, it's not perfect, but definitely better than what I have now.

99.2hrs PiC

Flew 0.7hrs to and from Aurora State Airport (KAOU) today. This has brought my total PiC hours to 99.2hrs. I will be taking a week off from flying next week as I am heading to Disney in CA. I have 3 people lined up for my next few flights, one being my Dad who has never flown with me! I am going to have to decide who gets that 100hr flight with me! I really want to fly to Boeing Field. Need to find out if my Dad will be happy to take the longer flight with me.

Pre-Flight N5440H

NAV1 GPS Mode KAOU

Solo Cross Country

I titled this entry "Solo Cross Country" for a reason. Flying a new aircraft (M model) in a new area (Oregon) is like learning to fly all over again. It's about having the confidence in my ability to explore my new surroundings by air. 

With each flight I am getting a little more adventurous and am flying further afield. This is all good preparation for my flight to Boeing Field (KBFI) which I intend to fly in the next two to three weeks.

One of the challenges flying in Oregon has been the conversion from KTS to MPH on the IAS. Sounds simple right? It has taken me a couple of flights to nail those approach speeds. I am basically adding 10 to the IAS. Where before I would have been 75,70,65 on approach, I am now 85,80,75. 

Really inspired my daughter with this flight. She hasn't stopped talking about it. Can't wait to take her flying again soon!Check out the #GulfstreamGirl photo I took during the flight.

Future #GulfstreamGirl

Class Bravo Flying

Been thinking about the class bravo flights from the last six months. So far flying into KPHX has been my best aviation adventure so far. I hope I get to do this again at some point. This is just not possible back in the UK/Ireland.

Right Seat Flying

Flying right seat with @cholubaz

CHD-TUS-CHD

Always a Student

Continuing to learn valuable lessons in my short time as a Private Pilot. Today it was about proficiency and not taking too long away from flying!

Back in the saddle today. Wx improved to BKN024 but decided to remain in the pattern. 5 landings. That's 1.5hrs in the last 7 weeks and it showed. Allowed my speed to get too slow over the runway, as a result I didn't have sufficient elevator authority in the flare. This resulted in hard landings! For one landing, I had to take my hands away from the throttle to pull back harder on the elevator. I really don't like doing that in case I need to go around. 

The aircraft i'm flying is in MPH (95% of my hours are in aircraft with kts). Need to make sure I nail the approach speeds speeds (75/70/65/60kts = 86/80/74/69mph). Or other words, add 10.

Flying again within the next week.

N5440H Full Elevator Deflection!

Oshkosh Summary - Ford Trimotor Flight

Nine social media friends and I took a ten minute flight in a 1929 Ford Trimotor whilst at Oshkosh. Short taxi out to runway 36 (L) and then a 2 mile wide pattern back to runway 36 (L). This was one of the highlights of my Oshkosh trip.

Twitter Friends - Ford Tri-Motor

Thanks to @cholubaz for allowing the staff to take this photo with his camera.

Oshkosh Summary - Seaplane Base

One of the best kept secrets of Oshkosh is the Seaplane base that sits about 5nm SW of KOSH. I ended up spending a few hours there on both Friday and Saturday with my GoPro filming the operations. I recorded the background noise and ATC audio on my MP3 recorder. I plan to produce a short video showing the operations once I have had time to edit my video and audio.

Oshkosh Seaplane Base

Busy Seaplane Photo

Cessna Float Departing Cove Area

Searay

Back From Oshkosh

Ended up having WiFi issues at Oshkosh at the university dorms. This meant I couldn't provide any blog updates. Check back soon for my wrap-up.

Oshkosh Day 0

Flew from Portland to Phoenix yesterday. Great flight from KHIO to KIWA aboard a EMB-145. Had to re-route due to weather along in SE Oregon. Highlight had to be seeing Area 51 off the left wing and overflying Nellis AFB, NV.

On arrival at KIWA, I made my way over to KCHD for a night flight with Chris Holub (from In The Pattern podcast). We flew CHD -> TFD VOR -> TUS VOR and then a visual approach into 11L. What a flight. Chris filmed some of it. Hopefully he will release it after he returns from Oshkosh.

It's Thursday morning. About to head to KIWA to catch my flight to Appleton, WI (KATW).

Holding Short 31 HIO

Right Deviation For Wx

Nellis AFB

N98711 Power Checks 04L KCHD

Chris Departing KCHD

Time for Oshkosh

................and the wait it finally over. I'm heading to Oshkosh today via Phoenix. Check back for daily updates providing I can find a good wifi connection!

Update

Not been flying much recently. Heading to Oshkosh next week. Lots of flying planned for August and September. Please stay tuned!!

Seeing as it's summer and many pilots are talking about Density Altitude, I will share with a video of my first visit to KFLG which lies at 7000'MSL. On this day, the temp was in the 50's. DA was 7900'.

Seattle Update

Didn't fly in Seattle at the weekend due to OVC010 at KRNT. Aircraft was only available in the morning. Cloud didn't burn off until 1300L. I should have booked an afternoon flight! Wasn't expecting the marine layer to be so dominant. 

Despite that, I still managed to get my aviation fix over the weekend at Kenmore Air and a walk around on the ramp at KRNT!

Beaver Departing Kenmore Air Seaport Base (Lake Union, WA)

Beaver Departing Kenmore Air Seaport Base (Lake Union, WA)

Gray OVC010 Skies at KRNT

Seattle Flying

If everything goes to plan, I will be taking a sight seeing trip out of Boeing Field on Sunday morning. Stay tuned!

Twin Oaks Pattern Video

Enjoy my short video from yesterdays pattern work. Happy with my performance with this being my first flight in four weeks.

Back Flying

Can't believe it's been a month, well 4 weeks to be exact since I last flew. Enjoyed the short break. I headed down to Twin Oaks for the monthly EAA blueberry breakfast fly-in. This sparked my excitement again for flying. Ended up flying 0.6hrs on my own around the traffic pattern. Performed 3 take-off and landings. This has taken care of any currency requirements!

@pilot_ngb ready for breakfast and flying!

Cessna Stationair Float Version (want one!)

Cessna 140

Celebrating 1 Year

One year ago this week a dream of over 12 years came true. I had tried several times to get my license in Ireland but life got in the way. My dream became reality in early 2011 when I started my FAA PPL training in Arizona. On June 27^th 2012, I passed my checkride and became a Private Pilot.

One year on, I realize that I will be a student for the rest of my flying career. My last flight three weeks ago didn't go so well. Lack of a sterile cockpit led to me departing my home base in Oregon without completing finishing all items on the pre take-off checklist. Flight was uneventful, but it was my first real miss in terms of checklist execution. This knocked me back for a few days, but I am now ready to get back into the air again. Lesson learnt, I can't strive for perfection, but I might never fly that perfect flight.

I've been on so many small adventures since getting my ticket. Some of the highlights are as follows;

1. Two weeks after passing, I found myself transitioning SFO's class bravo airspace. Amazing flight with Marc.

2. Flew an overnight trip to Luke Air Force base in a C172 and spent two days with F-16 pilots and other Arizona GA pilots.

3. Flew a C172 into Sky Harbor International (PDX).

4. Landed parallel to a F-16 at KTUS.

5. Seen the joy on my kids face when they are up flying with me.

6. Flew with Marty in San Diego.

7. Expored the airspace around Phoenix enjoying every second talking with ATC.

8. Met some amazing people who I can now call friends thanks to social media and flying out of CHD.

GA is amazing in the US. I hope everyone can fight to keep it affordable. I will leave the US in 2014 back to Ireland knowing that I made the most of my time here in the US.

Over the next month I will be passing through the 100hr PiC mark. I'm planning a trip from Oregon to Boeing/King Field in Washington State.

Who knows what will happen in the next 12 months!

Short Final Half Moon Bay, CA

KPHX Cutter Aviation N54288

Overnight Flight KLUF Air Base

Planning 100hr PiC Flight

Most people quote their total time (TT), however my first aviation goal was to get to 100hrs Pilot-in-Command (PiC) time whilst living here in the US. Progress has been slow over the last few weeks, but right now I sit at 95 hours PiC. It's time to start planning that 100 hour flight.

KBFI and KSEA

Where better place to go than Boeing Field (KBFI) in Washington State. To be honest it was a coin toss between KPAE and KBFI. I have already visited the Boeing Factory at KPAE (by car!) plus I wanted a more challenging arrival. KBFI is located on the approach path to KSEA. Yesterday SEA was landing on 16L and 16C. Aircraft on the approach were switched to SEA TWR right over the top of BFI at about 2000' MSL. I will enjoy the challenge flying into BFI below the traffic.

Transient parking is available at BFI. I plan to visit the Museum of Flight before heading south back to Oregon.

Hoping this flight will take place a week or two before Oshkosh 2013. Failing that, I will take the flight in early August. 

My home airport in Oregon is 7S3. There is a VOR (Newberg) a few miles south. My flight north will take be outbound on the VOR through the class delta of KHIO. I will then pick up flight following with PDX DEP.

7S3 -> SEA (initial routing)

Father's Day at the Boeing Factory

Went back to the Boeing factory today. This time I took my wife and kids for the first time. They loved it. Last month I saw the first three BA 787's. This time I saw the fourth one (BJD) outside the paint shop.

Unloading 787 Parts KPAE

Tried to get a look a the new 787-900 but it was out of sight. However I did enjoy viewing the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787 production lines. At the front of the 787 line was the fourth Aero Mexico order and the first Jetstar (Qantas) order.

Out on the ramp area I saw several finished 787's including two of the other BA's and one Thomson jet. 

Will probably head back again in another month or two to see what progress there has been. I would love to get up there for BA's first delivery flight but I doubt that will happen.

Poor Checklist Execution

Short video showing a non sterile cockpit and then me missing checklist items due to distractions.