Studying and all flying activities have simmered down for the year, so not much to update until the New Year. However, I DID bring my flight computer and manual down with me. I've been having some trouble with it and thought in passing if maybe I could contact one of my flying buddies to help me. Easy solution - ask my Mom for help. :)
We watched a flying movie the other day called "Flyabout". A young girl (early 20's) got her pilot's license and inspired her father to do the same. They got together with a flying club and flew around the coast of Australia. Something like that would be awesome to do.
Although watching it, I was surprised. The daughter was a fairly new pilot, but still had more time than the father. The leader of the group wouldn't let the father land often because he was still shaky about it. "But he has his license!!! How can he not know how to land?!?!", I asked my mother in disbelief. She thought it was funny. "A license is just a license to learn. It doesn't mean you know everything." It just shocked me because for everything you need to to learn and do for the license, I figured you were an expert when you got it. She said it's just like being a freshman in school. Blah.
As my wise mother also pointed out, the father got his license in a matter of weeks. There's no way he could have been prepared for all the conditions in Australia he had to face. The 25 mph crosswind at one airport even through the pilots who had been flying for 20 years off ease.
I'd really like to do a trip like that with my mom. Although after watching, I'd like to be instrument rated first. They ran into quite a bit of patchy weather and she wasn't able to handle it too well. A trip like that is just too much for a new pilot, especially in a new country with unfamiliar conditions and airports.
The good news in taking YEEEEEEEEEEARS, like me, is that I'll have more practical experience than someone who accomplished it in just a few weeks. Just wish it would go faster... I wanna be able to do all the fun things that all of my pilot buddies are doing. I want to go on a trip like the one in the movie. I want to film my own movie of my own trip. I want to fly to Oshkosh. I want to train with the great aerobatic pilots. There's just so much I want to do! Ah well... in time, right?
Merry Christmas to all! I can't wait to see what 2013 brings! =)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
CAP Christmas Party and More...
Yet another much overdue update. I've been busy preparing for Christmas (which is right around the corner! Can you believe it?!?!), studying like a demon (Chapter 9 is just out of reach.... Urg!), and trying to mend myself from being sick this past weekend.
The CAP Christmas party was fun. Still don't know a lot of people, but had a good time nonetheless. I officially transferred on the day of the party, so they welcomed me as the newest member. :) I also confirmed what I kinda thought earlier - they were just being overly nice to me to get me to join, but not in a bad way. The Commander told me that they used to get complaints that people ignored the new members, so they've made an effort to reach out to people more and now that I'm a member, I need to make an effort to reach out to those I don't know (which right now... is basically everyone). So it doesn't mean they are going to stop being nice to me, but I need to make more of an effort to overcome my shyness and be all nice and welcoming to others.
Also!!! They asked me what position I wanted - Mission Observer. I'm mere steps away from getting it!!! No, no, no they said... what position did I want? Like everyday job. Observer is just what I do during missions. The Commander said the reason they all worked so well together is that everyone is a leader in their everyday position. He might be the Commander of the group, but another member (like the other female there) was in charge of the Communications. They really want me to train under her so I get certified in communications as well (I think it's good too - helps with flying and all), but still needed some leadership position. One of the ones they don't have filled was in Personal Development, which is training everyone else to advance in the organization. They already mentioned me teaching the upcoming Scanners and Observers.
Then it came up about how once they went to Hartsfield and got to play on the 747 sims!!!!!!!!!!!! My eyes bugged out of my head and I just about fell on the floor. NO WAYYYYYYYYY!!!! So I asked about what other field trips they do and if there's a lot of them. The guy I spoke to said they don't do much because they are busy, but was mentioning maybe we could start that up in the new year. He started talking about all sorts of Aviation museums in Georgia that I've never even heard of. I mentioned that I set up field trips for my school as part of my job, so I could do that for them as well. He said they could arrange the transportation, if I called the places, collected money and got group rates. Then he told me to think of day trips I'd like to go to... and reminded me we have airplanes available... and he'd talk to the Commander. My eyes glittered, "Is Pensacola a day trip?". He asked if I was talking about the Blue Angels museum and said "You betcha", bringing up Fun & Sun (week-long air show in FL) as well. I held my breath - "Oshkosh too?". He laughed and said it could be. I was over the moon, pleased as punch, happy as a clam and everything in between.
Then the guy who was shouting obscene (but funny) things at the restaurant after last meeting walked up with his wife. She was drop dead gorgeous and you could just tell she was a pilot the way she carried herself. I swore she was my age, but was actually 40-45. I wanna be her when I grow up! Then after talking with her, I recognized her name and only later realized that she was the one who allowed me to go play on all of the flight sims at Flightsafety over a year ago, even though I didn't have my license yet. I wish I had remembered at the time - I might have hugged her. Maybe it was good I didn't put two and two together then...
In studying news, I got stuck at one part involving a weight and balance problem. The book had you set it up and answer 4 questions from the one problem, adding onto the original setup. I messed something up in the very first step and all of the answers were wrong from there. I wrestled with it for an hour... before walking away for a little bit to get a fresh start. I promised myself I'd scrap the work I did and start over. The small break helped, I saw what I did wrong and moved on quite quickly into the section on flight computers.
Now some of this, you can solve with simple math. The book indicated to use the flight computer to solve the problems. It's good for practice and I'll need to learn how to use this thing cold. I got stuck in the mud again. Wrestled with it for a bit, walked away and tried again. Got more stuck in the mud. Trudged through anyways. 4 questions until getting to Chapter 9... and the mud turned into cement Friday night (granted I had just come home from a work Christmas party and was tired). I got sick after that and since then, so haven't had a chance to go back to it yet.
Everyone keeps telling me that it's not a race and it's ok to take my time through the harder portions. I've worked this hard so far, so no need to ruin all of that hard work by racing through something I don't quite understand. I agree fully, but at the same time, I'm almost there - I can see the finish line finally and it frustrates me to be held up or knocked off pace. Get-there-itis; the downfall of all pilots and can cause mistakes in the plane. I know - very bad. I'll get there. Might not be as soon as I'd like, but I'll get there. And I'll be totally stoked when I do because I'll remember how much I struggled to get through it! :)
Anyways, early to bed for me tonight. I'm not quite fully recovered from being sick yet and need my energy for the next few busy days! Plus, I started reading a new book - Letters Home: 1944-45 by Bernice Falk Haydu. It's about the WASP pilots in WWII. I got to meet the author at Oshkosh and she signed the book for me. She was more than just a WASP though - she led all of them when they went to Washington DC in the 70's to fight for recognition. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I liked hearing her speak at Oshkosh and this book reminds me of that. It's like listening to a Great-Aunt or Grandmother telling you about her adventures when she was younger. The book is a collection of letters she wrote to her parents while training to be a WASP, and she goes back to elaborate on things.
Speaking of Oshkosh... I really need to write up my 2nd update, don't I? Oooooo, and speaking of air shows, the Thunderbirds are going to be at the Rome, GA air show next year too!!!!!! I'm gonna get to see the TWICE!!!!!!!!!! =)
Btw, the Wright Brothers made their first powered flight on this day in 1903. Thank you Wright Brothers for all that you did for aviation! <3
The CAP Christmas party was fun. Still don't know a lot of people, but had a good time nonetheless. I officially transferred on the day of the party, so they welcomed me as the newest member. :) I also confirmed what I kinda thought earlier - they were just being overly nice to me to get me to join, but not in a bad way. The Commander told me that they used to get complaints that people ignored the new members, so they've made an effort to reach out to people more and now that I'm a member, I need to make an effort to reach out to those I don't know (which right now... is basically everyone). So it doesn't mean they are going to stop being nice to me, but I need to make more of an effort to overcome my shyness and be all nice and welcoming to others.
Also!!! They asked me what position I wanted - Mission Observer. I'm mere steps away from getting it!!! No, no, no they said... what position did I want? Like everyday job. Observer is just what I do during missions. The Commander said the reason they all worked so well together is that everyone is a leader in their everyday position. He might be the Commander of the group, but another member (like the other female there) was in charge of the Communications. They really want me to train under her so I get certified in communications as well (I think it's good too - helps with flying and all), but still needed some leadership position. One of the ones they don't have filled was in Personal Development, which is training everyone else to advance in the organization. They already mentioned me teaching the upcoming Scanners and Observers.
Then it came up about how once they went to Hartsfield and got to play on the 747 sims!!!!!!!!!!!! My eyes bugged out of my head and I just about fell on the floor. NO WAYYYYYYYYY!!!! So I asked about what other field trips they do and if there's a lot of them. The guy I spoke to said they don't do much because they are busy, but was mentioning maybe we could start that up in the new year. He started talking about all sorts of Aviation museums in Georgia that I've never even heard of. I mentioned that I set up field trips for my school as part of my job, so I could do that for them as well. He said they could arrange the transportation, if I called the places, collected money and got group rates. Then he told me to think of day trips I'd like to go to... and reminded me we have airplanes available... and he'd talk to the Commander. My eyes glittered, "Is Pensacola a day trip?". He asked if I was talking about the Blue Angels museum and said "You betcha", bringing up Fun & Sun (week-long air show in FL) as well. I held my breath - "Oshkosh too?". He laughed and said it could be. I was over the moon, pleased as punch, happy as a clam and everything in between.
Then the guy who was shouting obscene (but funny) things at the restaurant after last meeting walked up with his wife. She was drop dead gorgeous and you could just tell she was a pilot the way she carried herself. I swore she was my age, but was actually 40-45. I wanna be her when I grow up! Then after talking with her, I recognized her name and only later realized that she was the one who allowed me to go play on all of the flight sims at Flightsafety over a year ago, even though I didn't have my license yet. I wish I had remembered at the time - I might have hugged her. Maybe it was good I didn't put two and two together then...
In studying news, I got stuck at one part involving a weight and balance problem. The book had you set it up and answer 4 questions from the one problem, adding onto the original setup. I messed something up in the very first step and all of the answers were wrong from there. I wrestled with it for an hour... before walking away for a little bit to get a fresh start. I promised myself I'd scrap the work I did and start over. The small break helped, I saw what I did wrong and moved on quite quickly into the section on flight computers.
Now some of this, you can solve with simple math. The book indicated to use the flight computer to solve the problems. It's good for practice and I'll need to learn how to use this thing cold. I got stuck in the mud again. Wrestled with it for a bit, walked away and tried again. Got more stuck in the mud. Trudged through anyways. 4 questions until getting to Chapter 9... and the mud turned into cement Friday night (granted I had just come home from a work Christmas party and was tired). I got sick after that and since then, so haven't had a chance to go back to it yet.
Everyone keeps telling me that it's not a race and it's ok to take my time through the harder portions. I've worked this hard so far, so no need to ruin all of that hard work by racing through something I don't quite understand. I agree fully, but at the same time, I'm almost there - I can see the finish line finally and it frustrates me to be held up or knocked off pace. Get-there-itis; the downfall of all pilots and can cause mistakes in the plane. I know - very bad. I'll get there. Might not be as soon as I'd like, but I'll get there. And I'll be totally stoked when I do because I'll remember how much I struggled to get through it! :)
Anyways, early to bed for me tonight. I'm not quite fully recovered from being sick yet and need my energy for the next few busy days! Plus, I started reading a new book - Letters Home: 1944-45 by Bernice Falk Haydu. It's about the WASP pilots in WWII. I got to meet the author at Oshkosh and she signed the book for me. She was more than just a WASP though - she led all of them when they went to Washington DC in the 70's to fight for recognition. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. I liked hearing her speak at Oshkosh and this book reminds me of that. It's like listening to a Great-Aunt or Grandmother telling you about her adventures when she was younger. The book is a collection of letters she wrote to her parents while training to be a WASP, and she goes back to elaborate on things.
Speaking of Oshkosh... I really need to write up my 2nd update, don't I? Oooooo, and speaking of air shows, the Thunderbirds are going to be at the Rome, GA air show next year too!!!!!! I'm gonna get to see the TWICE!!!!!!!!!! =)
Btw, the Wright Brothers made their first powered flight on this day in 1903. Thank you Wright Brothers for all that you did for aviation! <3
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Update
I'm a bad little pilot - I haven't updated in over a week.
Things are continuing to look up. Not quite where I want to be, but everyday is better than the day before and I'm constantly moving forward.
- DB Merlin is gone for good. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
- I have a new fan page on Facebook. 50 fans and counting! Go check it out if you haven't already.
- Holding short of Chapter 7, Section 2 in my Jeppesen Book (out of 11). It's going MUCH faster since I finished the King Videos. I've seen everything before, so it's like a review. Up to 19 pages (front & back) of answering questions from the back of the book too!
- Taking practice tests as much as possible. Got my very first 90% score the other day!!! I've also been increasing the total number of questions bit by bit. The real exam has 60 questions, so I need to build up until 60 questions is no big deal, just like where I'm at right now. Between the progress in the textbook and getting better on tests, I am feeling more empowered by the day and it's absolutely fantastic. :)
- Christmas Party with the PDK CAP this weekend. I <3 those guys!
We were supposed to listen to an F-16 pilot speak at Dobbins AFB this past week, but it got postponed until January.
Last meeting of the year next week. Which reminds me, I have to give permission for them to start the transfer. I was holding off... Dunno why... Hope, maybe. Hope that the last squadron would turn into a Disney movie or something. I need to just get moving and email the new commander.
- I'm feeling better lately too. Had a good doctor's visit today. We're aiming to go anti-biotic free for awhile, considering I've been on them off-and-on since August. Blah. I need to start training for the Spartan Sprint again.
-2013 Oshkosh passes went on sale today!!! I may have to wait until January to get mine with Christmas coming up and all. 243 days until Airventure!! =)
~*~*~*~
I've learned a couple of things recently, too:
Lesson 1: In aviation, we have to take the weight & balance of our airplane, passengers and luggage (supposedly) before every flight. The reason for this is because everyone and everything weighs differently and the aircraft can only take so much weight. Even if they weight is within limits, it can change your center of gravity(CG) and that's important to know for take-offs, landings and stall speeds. As pilots, we cannot control the weather or the air pressure once in the air, but we can control who we let in the plane to make it as safe as possible for things under our control.
So the plane represents our life. We cannot control the weather or pressure we might face once in the air, but we can control who we let into our airplane. Physical weights don't matter so much in the life airplane, however, emotional heavyweights can do havoc to our CG. Don't prejudge people, but weigh each person carefully before taking them up in your airplane.
Lesson 2: It doesn't matter how bad things are/were or how you look back on something and regret the time wasted. Did you learn something? If yes, then time wasn't wasted. Yes, it was horrible but if a lesson was learned, it had purpose. And yes, it was awful, but it's over now - time to move onto the next lesson and learn something new.
And on that note, of learning something new - I've got to wrap this up and get in some studying for tonight! Always, always go for your dreams - no matter how long it takes you. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it or let them try to take it away from you. Glow so bright that your nay-sayers are blinded by the light and those that would encourage you are attracted by it, letting their own light glow as well.
Blue skies forever!
-
Things are continuing to look up. Not quite where I want to be, but everyday is better than the day before and I'm constantly moving forward.
- DB Merlin is gone for good. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
- I have a new fan page on Facebook. 50 fans and counting! Go check it out if you haven't already.
- Holding short of Chapter 7, Section 2 in my Jeppesen Book (out of 11). It's going MUCH faster since I finished the King Videos. I've seen everything before, so it's like a review. Up to 19 pages (front & back) of answering questions from the back of the book too!
- Taking practice tests as much as possible. Got my very first 90% score the other day!!! I've also been increasing the total number of questions bit by bit. The real exam has 60 questions, so I need to build up until 60 questions is no big deal, just like where I'm at right now. Between the progress in the textbook and getting better on tests, I am feeling more empowered by the day and it's absolutely fantastic. :)
- Christmas Party with the PDK CAP this weekend. I <3 those guys!
We were supposed to listen to an F-16 pilot speak at Dobbins AFB this past week, but it got postponed until January.
Last meeting of the year next week. Which reminds me, I have to give permission for them to start the transfer. I was holding off... Dunno why... Hope, maybe. Hope that the last squadron would turn into a Disney movie or something. I need to just get moving and email the new commander.
- I'm feeling better lately too. Had a good doctor's visit today. We're aiming to go anti-biotic free for awhile, considering I've been on them off-and-on since August. Blah. I need to start training for the Spartan Sprint again.
-2013 Oshkosh passes went on sale today!!! I may have to wait until January to get mine with Christmas coming up and all. 243 days until Airventure!! =)
~*~*~*~
I've learned a couple of things recently, too:
Lesson 1: In aviation, we have to take the weight & balance of our airplane, passengers and luggage (supposedly) before every flight. The reason for this is because everyone and everything weighs differently and the aircraft can only take so much weight. Even if they weight is within limits, it can change your center of gravity(CG) and that's important to know for take-offs, landings and stall speeds. As pilots, we cannot control the weather or the air pressure once in the air, but we can control who we let in the plane to make it as safe as possible for things under our control.
So the plane represents our life. We cannot control the weather or pressure we might face once in the air, but we can control who we let into our airplane. Physical weights don't matter so much in the life airplane, however, emotional heavyweights can do havoc to our CG. Don't prejudge people, but weigh each person carefully before taking them up in your airplane.
Lesson 2: It doesn't matter how bad things are/were or how you look back on something and regret the time wasted. Did you learn something? If yes, then time wasn't wasted. Yes, it was horrible but if a lesson was learned, it had purpose. And yes, it was awful, but it's over now - time to move onto the next lesson and learn something new.
And on that note, of learning something new - I've got to wrap this up and get in some studying for tonight! Always, always go for your dreams - no matter how long it takes you. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it or let them try to take it away from you. Glow so bright that your nay-sayers are blinded by the light and those that would encourage you are attracted by it, letting their own light glow as well.
Blue skies forever!
-
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