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So what's a better time for Piedmont Senior Care
than now?...
QUESTION: I took my private checkride on Feb. 3 of 2000. After I took my ride, I figured
"hey, I'm going to take a rest for a while, relax, and I'll go for my
instrument in 6 or so months." Soon there after, I had the opportunity to fly
right seat in some C-340's and a C-414. I started to realize that I needed an
instrument rating if I was going anywhere in aviation...So what's a better time
than now?...
In May, I figured it was time to start on the IFR. After 5 hours of dual, and
about 1 hour of actual instrument, I started to realize how dangerous I "am" as
a VFR pilot. To be any sort of a pilot, you have to be IFR rated. The bad
weather flying, as I soon learned, is very important for any pilot to
experience.
So it is Aug. 2000. I finally got my IFR written out of the way, so I scheduled
the checkride. Aug. 27 with the D.E. was the date. Within the next three weeks,
I learned what hell was. Working with 3 instructors, they ran me through the
wringer, or so I felt. From one hold to another, in actual IMC with a covered
DG and Att Ind...That was "real life experience." So two days before my
checkride...
3:00 PM in Florida. T-Storms building everywhere. My instructor gets me into
the middle of a level 1-2 cell. Couldn't hold alt., heading, hit my head on the
roof three times, and crushed a hand mic into the roof while trying to make a
radio call...Watched the VSI peg at both extremes. I finally realized, after 3
months of training, what the older (not bolder) pilots were talking about when
they said that "After enough times of almost pulling the wings off, I learned
to stay away from that weather!" It never really hit me until that day. I
realized how fragile, ignorant, and dangerous I would become when I finally got
my IFR ticket. I knew I could handle IFR...Assuming everything goes right.
Aug 27. 6:00am, couldn't sleep. Get up, at airport at 7:15am. Get breakfast,
and a buddy of mine walked in. I was all dressed up for the ride, trying to
look as "professional" as I could be. So my buddy knew I was nervous, so he and
I went up in his 1956 C-182...it is a PERFECT airplane...Absolutely flawless!
So we buzzed a couple private strips, landed on the bank of a river in the
middle of nowhere, fished for 20 minutes or so, and flew back. That took my
mind off of the ride a little, and I was pretty glad.
So now comes the ride. 1:30pm, the D.E. shows up. I'm nervous as hell. My voice
is starting to crack a little...All the well wishers were wishing me good luck,
etc. Finally, the door closed for the oral exam, and I was locked in a room (as
most of you have been) with a 30,000 hr. 727 captain. Still nervous, 1 hour
later the oral was over and I passed! (PHEW!!) (Only 95% more to go!)
So we met at the airplane. I preflighted, and took about 15 minutes getting the
cockpit set up just right. Finally, I started the engine, and I did my
checklist(s). Took off, and the instrument RIDE was now going...
I had filed earlier, then after taxing out, I got the clearance (which was a
completely different route than I had filed), and took off. Constant airspeed
climbs, descents, compass turns timed and by compass only, partial panel,
unusual attitudes, steep turns, etc. Boy was it a fun time (NOT!).
An ILS, VOR partial panel, and an NDB approach later, we were on the ground
safe and sound...Not yet knowing if I passed. Still shaking, he says with a
deep voice, "Son, you're not a bad pilot. Assuming you don't hit anything, taxi
into a ditch, and you can park the airplane, you passed."
WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINALLY, I have a single engine land private/instrument rating. It was a lot of
hard work, extremely challenging, but most of all, it was a life saving
experience. I think I have only started to grasp the idea of how dangerous
instrument flying is, but I have a pretty good idea how dangerous VFR pilots
really are!
So now, I've got a license to either learn, or to die...In the clouds.
Hopefully I can keep my head above water and keep smart enough to save my life.
So what's next? Probably Multi/Instrument. Then as soon as I turn 18, I'll be
taking my single/multi commercial.
But out of all the things I have to say, this is the most important thing...:
Thanks to all of those (again) who helped me get started in flying. If it
wasn't for Badwater, Bob Barbanes, Fred. S., Joe Rinke, Tommy Cooper, BOb U.,
and the rest, I wouldn't even have my private license. I owe my entire flying
"career" (either lack of or future of) to the mentors of this website. I
sincerely thank each and every one of you that has helped me along the way. The
@$$ whoopings, the pep talks, and the advice given is priceless. I hope that
someday I will make those who helped me, proud.
For those of you who may care, here is an update on my situation. I am working
full time at the Piedmont/Hawthorne FBO here in Ocala on Line Service (pumping
gas). I am still doing homestudy just getting into my senior year. I just
bought and airplane. I bought a 1969 Cessna 150J model. I am leasing it back to
the flight school so it will help pay for itself. Its a pretty airplane and
good flying...I am very proud of it. I am hoping to build some time in it for
my commercial and CFI ratings. Its flying quite a bit, and I really enjoy the
pride in owning and airplane. And as was expected, am finding out how expensive
they can be.
Another license to learn, another way to kill myself (hope not!).
ANSWER: Congratulations on your continued progress as a pilot and your obvious growth
as a young MAN. The changes over the last couple of years are showing and look
good from this view. The lessons have not always been easy but you seem to
have learned from them and moved forward. You should be proud of yourself but
NOT TOO proud. Keep up the good work and the sky will not be the limit.
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