Career Change with ATP Blog

June 15 -- Day 10

The news this morning said it's going to be another scorcher. So, I rushed off to the airport and told my instructor, Victor, that I wanted to get off the ground ASAP before it gets to hot. Unfortunately, the airplane didn't cooperate because it was low on oil and one of the fuel tanks had water and sediment which I kept draining until I finally got it all out. But, I came armed with extra water and Gatoraid, which seemed to help me cope better with the heat. We went from Craig to Fernandina Beach airport and did touch and goes for a while. Then, when it got too hot, we went up where it was cooler and practiced S-turns over the beach. Then went back to Craig and practiced landings a few more times before going back to ATP. Victor told me that he wanted to get me back up again to reinforce some of the things I learned--so, I went back up after lunch break and practiced more landings, stalls, and steep turns. What a workout, Victor! Today, I logged over 5 hours and came back exhausted, but my confidence is increasing. Victor says he plans to solo me on Friday "if I don't come up with another creative attempt to kill the instructor". If I can polish my approaches and radio calls, I'll be ready to solo.

Advice for those who join ATP in the summer: On hot days, when water is not enough--Gatoraid is your friend.

It turns out that I was the only one who had a good day. I returned to the apartment and found that my three other classmates were not as satisfied with their flying today. Well, guys, it was a hot day--I'm sure you'll do better tomorrow. Other students I have met who have been in the Private Pilot program have told me that the ups and downs we are experiencing during the first weeks are normal. Today, is the first day that I felt that maybe I was really starting to get the hang of this flying thing. Well, let's see what tomorrow brings!
 
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Zippi,

your posts have been some good reads so far, keep it up...as for your training, take it one day at a time and enjoy it!

are you going to stay at jax for all of your training or are you going back up to TIW for some training? I used instruct for ATP up there and it was the most scenic area i've ever flown in......


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Somehow I missed your question from last week. At the moment, my plan is to go to Sacramento, CA for the Career Pilot program when I am done here in JAX (it is closer to home). But, I may change my mind and stay here in JAX.

Anyone have an opinion on the pros and cons of staying in Jacksonville vs. going to Sacramento?
 
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Zippi...I just found your blogs and I will anticipate them each day!!!

It sounds like you are doing great and keep up the good flying.

Thanks again for the updates, but don't let them interfere with the real reason you are there!


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Thanks for the encouragement. I hope my experience, whether for better or worse helps others who are making a decision about where to get training.

I have read some of the posts that say the training here is too fast to be effective. But, I have always excelled in this kind of environment. Also, I think the fast pace can only prepare me for the pace of training I will receive when I do go work for an airline or whomever I decide to work for. I have heard that no one holds your hand through the airline training, You have to be fast on the uptake to get through their training.
 
June 16 -- Day 11

Went out for 2.8 to polish up landings and manuevers. I was submitted for solo which looks like will happen tomorrow. Two of my other classmates were also submitted.


June 17 -- Day 12

Those of us who were scheduled to solo today sat in the classroom on edge waiting for the moment we were called to go solo with Rich. But, that never happened. Not sure why. So, at the end of the day I went up for 1.5 to practice touch-and-goes here at Craig when it wasn't so busy and I can get some more tower experience. This is my first time to fly with Cory--his style is definely different from Victor. But, he is an excellent instructor too. It is probably a good thing I didn't solo today because I discovered that I need some work on setting up for manuevers. I have no problem doing the manuevers--but, I need to spend some time "chair flying" the set ups. My radio usage is continuing to improve, but I am not satisfied with it yet. I am really squeaking off my landings now!!!

We are told that our cross-country training will begin tomorrow and to expect to be licensed private pilots within 8 to 9 days. Because Rich was not available today for solos, we are moving on to that phase of our training anyway. Solo will now be on Monday instead, weather permitting.
 
Hey Zippi, slacking off here.
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Good Luck Zippi and don't let Rich get into your head.

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Easier said than done! LOL!!!

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Hehe.. Rich isn't that bad..
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June 18 -- Day 13

The weather today was a bit iffy. But, I did get out for some more practice for 1.5. I have improved on my setups for manuevers. Still practicing radio calls. Spent most of the day studying.

June 19 -- Day 14

The first two of our class went on the cross-country in the morning. I could have gone up with Steve for a cross-country or practice for solo, but I felt my time would be better spent "chair-flying". Later, after the other two guys came back I decided I was ready to go cross country, but the thunderstorms started rolling in. After an hour, the weather cleared and I got 2.2 cross-country between Craig (CRG) and Lake City (LCQ) with Victor. This was a very interesting flight because we dodged clouds all the way there and back. Also, on the way back, two things happened that turned out to be a good learning experience. We were warned about traffic to our left, but could not see it due to the haze. Then, we saw a Cessna pop out of the haze and we went into a decent. Every time Jacksonville called out the other craft's altitude, it was the same as ours, so he was decending as well. At this point, we dove down and watched the other Cessna pass 200 feet directly overhead. This shows the importance of flight following. Then, as we neared Craig, we had to duck under a class-1 thunderstorm and flew over Jacksonville downtown at 1600 feet being sure to clear 2 television towers. It is important to know where these things are because I watched one on our left go by only about 300 feet below our altitude. When we landed at Craig, conditions went to IFR almost as the moment we touched down. Victor made it a point that I should not try to fly in these conditions alone until I have lots more experience. I totally agree.


June 20 -- Day 15

Rich only had time to solo two students today before the weather went south, so I spent the day studying. By late morning, the wind was gusting. Rich promised that we will go up in the morning tomorrow, weather permitting. Looks like tomorrow is the big day! I feel ready now.
 
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Hang in there buddy, I'm sure you'll do great!

Did you get to solo today?


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Did not solo due to WX. Looks like tomorrow is it!

Thanks!
 
Sounds like a couple of pretty close calls, but like you said, thank goodness for the learning experience.

Did you offer to buy a six-pack for the traffic control guys??
 
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Sounds like a couple of pretty close calls, but like you said, thank goodness for the learning experience.

Did you offer to buy a six-pack for the traffic control guys??


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Yes, the other Cessna definitely came close. We definitely should have shipped a six-pack to the guy at Jacksonville center for that warning.

We were sure to stay well away from the towers both horizontally and vertically, so they were not close. But, I could definitely see the danger towers would pose if you are not paying attention and/or are not aware of their locations.
 
June 21 -- Day 16

Went up with Rich today (1.5) with the intention to solo. I got through all the manuevers, but botched up one of my landings. So, I have a little bit more practice to do. I've never had this happen before, but I must have hit the brakes while landing. I guess I need to keep my toes lower on the rudders. It was fun flying though.
 
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June 21 -- Day 16

Went up with Rich today (1.5) with the intention to solo. I got through all the manuevers, but botched up one of my landings. So, I have a little bit more practice to do. I've never had this happen before, but I must have hit the brakes while landing. I guess I need to keep my toes lower on the rudders. It was fun flying though.

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I always had that same problem and still have to double check the position of my feet to this day! Do you happen to be tall (over 6') by any chance? I've always wondered if that has something to do with it. Remember to keep those heels on the floor.
 
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I always had that same problem and still have to double check the position of my feet to this day! Do you happen to be tall (over 6') by any chance? I've always wondered if that has something to do with it. Remember to keep those heels on the floor.


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I am almost exactly 6' tall. But, Rich told me that taller guys do need to watch the feet on the rudders more than shorter guys.
 
June 21 -- Day 16

Went up with Rich again today and flew to Keystone. Did a few touch and goes there and came back. We also did a quick touch and go at Cecil (I was in the back seat at this time with another student at the controls). I have never seen such a big runway! We were at 1000 feet and still had runway in front of us.
 
Note: The previous post should have been June 22, not June 21.

June 23 -- Day 17

My landings have sucked all week, so I went up with Steve and ironed that out. I have to say that no one teaches landings better than Steve. He is also the guy to see if you need to learn how to fly more coordinated. You cannot imagine how happy I was that my good landings are back. Thanks, Steve!


June 24 -- Day 18

We have another tropical storm on the way and the weather was forecasted to deteriorate after 11am. So, I went looking for Steve to practice more touch and goes while I still had a chance. He was not around, so I went up with Corry who was impressed at the improvements I made with my landings and radio calls. I did some really nice landings, even with wind gusts! When we got on the ground, the clouds and wind were definitely kicking up more. So, everyone in the class went home early.


June 25 -- Day 19

WX day off. Stayed home and studied.


June 26 -- Day 20

OK, things are getting weird now. I got in this morning and found that both Victor (who was recently promoted to work in the Career Pilots program) and Steve are no longer working at ATP. I went to the airport for a while--but, the weather was crappy in the morning and with only one instructor, I doubt I would get up today, even if the weather improved. So, I went back to the apartment in the afternoon, grilled myself a steak (early) dinner and began studying the Private Oral Exam Guide. At the end of the day, I heard that Victor had already lined up a multi-engine job in his home town. Congrats Victor!
 
June 27 -- Day 21

Today, Rich went with me to Herlong airport where he sent me up on my first solo! I would have to say that I'll never forget Rich and the three instructors, Victor, Cory, and Steve who all contributed to getting me to this point. Interestingly, I did not even really think about the fact that I was alone in the aircraft until I was 500 feet up and looked over at the empty seat. It just seemed so strange to not have someone there. But, I just stayed relaxed, followed my training, and everything went well. Thanks ATP! I am looking forward to the cross-country training which starts next.
 
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June 27 -- Day 21

Today, Rich went with me to Herlong airport where he sent me up on my first solo! I would have to say that I'll never forget Rich and the three instructors, Victor, Cory, and Steve who all contributed to getting me to this point. Interestingly, I did not even really think about the fact that I was alone in the aircraft until I was 500 feet up and looked over at the empty seat. It just seemed so strange to not have someone there. But, I just stayed relaxed, followed my training, and everything went well. Thanks ATP! I am looking forward to the cross-country training which starts next.

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Did you get that "wow" feeling, like a top gun pilot, when you were cleared for takeoff and applied the throttle on your first take off solo? Where all the nervousness gives way to exhiliration?
 
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Did you get that "wow" feeling, like a top gun pilot, when you were cleared for takeoff and applied the throttle on your first take off solo? Where all the nervousness gives way to exhiliration?

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Honestly, I think all of my nervousness went out with Rich when he stepped out of the plane. LOL!!! The exhiliration came the moment I knew I made my first successful solo landing! It was a wonderful feeling to know that I reached this first important milestone!
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