Texas sky

I started my CFI training. Right now it involves lots and lots of studying. I took the fondamentals of instructing written exam 3 weeks ago and I am preparing for the second written test. After that I need to get my single engine commercial add-on which means learning new maneuvers and preparing for another oral.

Once these two things are out of the way I will be able to concentrate on the CFI training itself, preparing lesson plans and learning to fly from the right seat.

My plan is to be done by the end of the year...

We just spent a long weekend in Whistler. This place is the best ski resort I have ever been to. There are two mountains to chose from and the slopes are great. I recommend going there to anyone who likes skiing.

That's it I finally got back inside an airplane and started flying in Washington State.

 

We started from Renton airport where the Boeing 737 is built. My instructor was really nice and is a retired Boeing employee named Bob Guthrie. After take off we took a left turn to a downwind east of 405 and then a 45 degrees right turn toward the North East. We first went to Smoqualmie Falls it was a beautiful sight. Further to the East the mountains loomed in the haze they looked really impressive, I can't wait to start mountain flying training! After the falls we started taking the rust off my flying skills with slow flight, power off stalls, power on stalls, steep turns, and unusual attitudes. It was far from perfect but I think good enough for not having flown for nearly 8 months.

We then headed back to Renton to pratcice landings, and I got my first (and probably not last) brain freeze repeating to the tower the assigned approach following the eastern shore of Mercer Island. For the first landing I came too high and way too fast. I spent so much time in ground effect that I had to abort the touch and go and taxi back to the end of the runway. The next landings got better tough still a bit rough on touch down, I got to practice slipping on one of them. For my fifth and last landing the tower told us that the wind was 320 at 8 knots, since we were landing on 15 that meant I had been practicing with an 8 knots tailwind. This last landing was much better, still not a greaser but after touch down I maintained the front wheel up as long as I could before taxiing off of the runway and to parking.

 

Next flight is scheduled for June 9th with a VFR transition over SEATAC, then Bremerton airport, Tacoma Narrows, Boeing Field, and back to Renton. Promises to be entertaining...

One of my favorite bands is Texas (they actually are from Glasgow Scotland). Their Guitarist Ally McErlaines just started a new band called "Treasure Tones". I really like the songs they put online. Check it out!

 

This is a video of the last flight I did in College Station. It was filmed and edited by Gary. We took the Duchess to Lake Sommerville to meet up with Tim in his 210 and then flew together to Brenham to have dinner. We were also joined by John Romero who flew my favorite 152 (93124) there.

 

It was a great flight, thanks Gary for putting this together! 

 

  

 

Through the 14 years I have been flying I never got a chance to take my dad flying by myself. He did not like flying after an experience he had during his military service in the air force. He always encouraged me though and made it possible for me to fly without ever questioning it.