Brain Cramp http://thefalken.flyblog.com My quest for the PPL! Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:11:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 en Flying the Radials http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/flying-the-radials/ http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/flying-the-radials/#comments Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:11:00 +0000 thefalken http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/flying-the-radials/ Well I have about three more flights before my first cross-country. Today’s flight was an introduction to VOR’s. Upon receiving my takeoff clearance from Gwinnett tower (LZU), he cleared me for a left turn to the southeast. After a simulated soft-field takeoff (must I mention I forgot to take out my 10 degrees of flaps till I was at about 400 ft. AGL), my instructor finally reminded me that since I was heading east towards Athens (AHN), that I should probably correct the tower and get clearance for a left turn to the east. So simple mistake, but that led to many more communication errors later. I intercepted the 085 degree radial for the AHN VOR. Upon reaching the intersection of Hwy. 316 and Hwy. 78 which is about 11 miles west of AHN I called the tower. I can’t help but laugh about it now because I sounded like Elmer Fudd calling the tower, “Athens tower N7262X 10 mi. west…I mean east….no west…. inbound for touch and go then departure to the west, with information X-ray.” After an uneventful touch and go at AHN, I headed west and used the ATL VOR to do a VOR cross check. Finished the flight with a soft-field landing back at LZU. Other than the helicopter pilot not looking before he took off and almost hitting me, the taxi back to the ramp was normal. Just a reminder to stay vigilant even during ground operations even if the tower clears you to taxi somewhere doesn’t mean someone isn’t going to do something unexpected. Will write again after a short solo lesson on Friday.

Blue Skies,
thefalken

]]> http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/flying-the-radials/feed/ My current position http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/my-current-position/ http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/my-current-position/#comments Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:25:46 +0000 thefalken http://thefalken.flyblog.com/2006/10/04/my-current-position/ I’m sure my pursuit is nothing original, at least if my Cessna syllabus truly is as popular as they claim, but I hope through this blog I can receive constructive criticism from other pilots. I’ll try to stick away from the one-liners and corny jokes that I’m sure we have all had enough of from King Schools.

Well lets get on course a little bit here. I guess I’ll start out with my background. My first real memory of aviation is from my early childhood. My dad took me by the Stone Mtn., GA, airport to greet one of his friends flying in from Knoxville. Now, some of you have probably already searched AirNav and are scratching your head wondering how a plane could be landed at a heliport. Well believe it or not, this small private heliport almost hugging the large granite, Stone Mtn. used to be at one time a busy civilian airport. As the pilot landed, you could see the pine needles flying off his wing tips….a picture that didn’t sit too well with my father.

At fifteen after making a move to Calhoun, GA, just north of Atlanta, I began flight training out at the local airport with a private instructor. He was retired Air Force and very strict, something I’m thankful for now. I had a dream deal. Once a week I would mow his lawn and in exchange he would give me free flight lessons. I did this till I was about sixteen.

I have since moved to Lawrenceville, GA, northeast of Atlanta. I started flight training in August at Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field (LZU). LZU is a moderate sized class D airfield with one runway 07-25. I’m about 35 hours into training and will soon be making my first cross country. After training I plan on going to college in Ohio and pursue an instrument, commercial-multiengine, and most likely a CFI certificate.

I hope no one will be afraid to comment on my blog and make recommendations. I actually will even demand comments from time to time :-). I will post a report about my lastest flight tomorrow. Till then.

Blue skies,

thefalken

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