Return to flying status!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Well I just got back from my first flight lesson since September 28th.  And man, did it feel WONDERFUL!  The last nine... well, 13 months actually I've been dreading having to go and fly, thanks to one particular instructor and some very poor decisions on my part.  I took all last school year off from flying because I just wasn't in the mindset to look at another airplane, and finally (only in the last month or so) actually wanted to fly again.

Today I went out with my new instructor and did WONDERFUL!  She had me stay in the local area and shoot some approaches into Ellensburg here, and about 1/2 through it she was saying how impressed she was that I haddn't flown since September.  Almost didn't believe me.  She said that had she known I was going to perform this well we would have gone to some other airports and done some more difficult approaches to get me ready for my instrument checkride!  It was great, i did 4 turns in the hold here.... the first time was about 30 seconds off because I was unsure of the winds and just did a standard one, but on the next times around the time hit 1 in exactally as the cross radial went through the center, and rolled out right on heading.  mmmm, what a wonderful feeling that is! Altitudes were, marginal... it was within the +/- 100 but it was close. lol  I just need to relearn how to scan again.  And I found that every time I get tense, I start to push the nose either up or down, even when it's trimmed, so I need to pay attention to that.

I was of course a little rusty, but things started coming back in a quick rush.  And to be in the cockpit and NOT stressed was, sadly, an unfamiliar feeling to me!  It was easily one of the best flights I've ever had.  Now I just hope it wasn't "beginners" luck and am able to keep up with tomorrows 8AM flight. lol  it'll be great... all I needed to get my cheesy grin back was take in a nice smell of that cockpit.  Home sweet home... at last.  


Oh, and also, my instructor also said that if I wanted to start doing some cross-country flights for my commercial rating, she'd sign me off to fly to any airport I want so I can take advantage of the wonderful weather over the summer.  Wow, what a blessing that is!  She rocks, and is a nice, CALM person to fly with.  (my former fight instructor (aka numb-nuts) should take a lesson from her.)


Anyway, it feels wonderful to WANT to go flying again!  Wohoo!!

[jrpilot]

Are you just flying for fun, or do you plan on going farther for your Private (unless you already have that) and eventually getting a job with a regional?

[beaky]

Congrats, and man, I feel where you're coming from. I've flown only twice in the last four years (been over 2 yrs. since my last flight)!! My reasons are different, though: time and money.
 But I'm almost ready: hoping to renew my medical this week, then if I can get some insurance in time, I might book some dual for this weekend or maybe early next week... can't wait!!!

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I'm actually finishing up my instrument rating.  I'm reviewing for my stage check.  Back in September the idiot instructor I had then actually filled out my 8710 form and had me inthe book for the checkride, when he changed his mind thinking i was not ready for the checkride.  So I was just this close: | |  lol  

And yeah, while i'm here I will do some cross country solo flights to work on my Commercial ratings.

During my private training I went about two years between lessons once for the money reasons. lol  Other times it was 3 months, 4 months... lol  SOMEHOW I still got my license with only 50 hours.  

[TacitBlue]

So, whats the story with your former instructor? if you don't mind telling, that is..

[Boss_BlueAngels]

It's a long story but I can sum it up with one three letter word.  ;D He was an @$$.

Well, I had a great instructor two years ago when I started my instrument rating.  I passed my stage III in june the last week of school and my instructor got hired on to an airline and left.  I had 3 review flights to go for my EOC/Checkride then I was done.  Well... the new instructor I got, I didn't feel confident in him from the get-go.  I just figured I'd put up with him for these 3 flights and be done.  Boy was I wrong!  He was as wound up as  a drum in the cockpit nit-picking at EVERYTHING I did. I'd turn the landing lights on and he'd ask why... because I'm landing numb-nuts! lol  

He had some issues with the way my previous instructor was having me fly and pretty much made me change all my habbits on the spot.  And they were very minute details too... nothing that even effected safety.  Another thing was how often he'd change his mind.  The first time I flew with him we were going to do a Localizer back course and I loaded it up in the GPS just for backup and as a second reference.  The dude flipped out and was like, "don't you know that's not a GPS approach?  Tell me where on your chart it says GPS approach."  I tried to explain it to him, but he just went into the Nav page and deleted the approach... well, won't do that agin!  So, two days later, exact same profile, this time I do not load the approach.... he flips out again asking why I don't have it to back up what I'm doing?  

Crap like that for FOUR MONTHS!  Add in the fact I had a full time job at a local airport and had to keep driving to the college to do the flight training, which was over 2 hours away!  

Needless to say, I got angry, and burned out VERY quickly.  When I got back to school the teachers were thinking I had some sort of test anxiety because the freakin idiot made me go on one last flight with him THE MORNING OF MY CHECKRIDE!  The flight went terrible so he took me back out of the schedule for the checkride.... THAT is how close I was, 9 months ago!  

Also, I didn't like him because he was there for one thing only.  Hours.  The FIRST thing he did after EVERY flight was bust out his fatty logbook, fill in all his precious hours, fill out his time sheets, THEN started talking to me and almost forgot to fill out MY logbook several times.  

This is why I have now dubbed him, "Numb-nuts"  lol  I cannot stand the man, and if I am EVER getting on an airplane and find out he's the pilot, I will wait for another plane.  And pray for the poor sap sitting next to him!  His CRM would freak out the most laid back, calm person in the world in mere seconds.  

[beaky]

Amazing that despite the magic of flight, the dedication it takes to earn any kind of living doing it, and the natural cameraderie of pilots, there are so many self-centered jerks in the business. I've had my share of them in the right seat... don't get me started!!
Thank goodness I've also had some real gems as instructors...

[Ben_M_K]

Congrats man! I hope you get all your ratings and get your dream job!

Me? I'm going into the Air Force.

[TacitBlue]

Wow, sorry to hear about that. I can't stand people like that. You story makes me grateful to have the instructor that I do. He owns the plane, and the airport, and he is pretty old, so you know he doesn't care about his hours. On top of that, he's just a really nice person. Anyway, goodluck with the rest of your training. Don't let numb-nuts ruin flying for you.

[beaky]

Congrats man! I hope you get all your ratings and get your dream job!

Me? I'm going into the Air Force.

Oh yeah, I remember you mentioned that before, right? So are you researching your options? Anything specific you want to do (other than the obvious-flying!)?

[Ben_M_K]

Ok here's the rundown.

I'm gonna try and get into ROTC at some college in the US. I'm not sure yet. I have 4 years! If I can't get that, I will go to a local college and get a 4 year degree, then try for Officers Training School, and after one of those, become an officer in the USAF, then hopefully get a flying slot, and then if everything goes well, fly the A-10.

AND, if I can't get into one of those(which I will work my butt of in high school to get), I will enlist in the USAF, and do somehhing, I'm not sure yet, but probably something dealing with aircraft.

I know I want to go into the USAF, and fly, but if that doesn't work, I'll still enlist. I don't want to fly for the airlines, not right away at least. Maybe after my 20 years are up, I'd fly for the airlines. But not with the market the way it is now. I don't want to retire without a pension!

So, that's it!

Ben

[TacitBlue]

Goodluck Ben! If you don't get to be a pilot for the AF, then be an electrician. Companies needing maintenance electricians are always impressed with Airforce experience.

[beefhole]

Yeah, I'm with Ben... my reasons for choosing the AF are inumerable, ranging from the broadest "I want to serve my country, etc." down to the very defined "I don't want to do much else other than fly" and "I don't want to CFI or come up through GA".  Like Ben, I plan (and fully expect) to do an AFROTC, and get a degree in something useful.  With a little luck, I'll get into the flight program and cruise from there.  I'll fly anything with fixed wings, or, if it is absolutely my only choice, choppers.  Doing it the civilian way will be a severe last resort for me.

Glad to hear your back in the cockpit and not too rusty, Boss.  I haven't flown in three weeks and I'm already feeling the effects