Career Change with ATP Blog
- Thread starter ZippiGuy
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ZippiGuy
New Member
July 5 -- Day 29
Finally a good VFR flying day! Took off this morning with my instructor, Justin, and flew "the kite" which is the following route: Craig - Brunswick Golden Isles - Jessup Wayne - Waycross Ware Co - Craig. We stopped in Waycross for free popcorn and a Coke and then two of the other students in my class caught up with us. On the way back we flew in between two thunderstorms. What a sight! Logged 3.5 for the day.
July 6 -- Day 30
Flew Craig to Lake City, 2.3. For some reason I had trouble keeping the plane straight and level. I don't know if it was the weather or possibly pilot induced turbulence?
Things just did not seem to go smoothly and I missed a couple of radio calls too!
July 7 -- Day 31
Tried the Craig to Lake City route again with Justin. After reaching our cruise altitude, Jacksonville vectored me at 310 degrees, directly towards a towering cumulus. So, I made it 320 degrees until I was past it and then went back to 310. After a few minutes we were allowed to go back on our original course. In front of us and 2000 feet below was one of the other students from my class. He stayed below the clouds and I flew above. It made the trip more interesting knowing that one of my friends was making the same trip. Everything went so much more smoothly than yesterday! If I can do this again, my instructor will sign me off for cross-country solo.
Alas, we are now beginning to see the effects of hurricane Dennis. It looks like we won't be flying for a few days. So, I probably won't be able to fly another cross country until Monday at earliest. All I can say is I'm glad that Dennis is headed for another part of Florida. But, we do expect lots of rain and some winds.
Finally a good VFR flying day! Took off this morning with my instructor, Justin, and flew "the kite" which is the following route: Craig - Brunswick Golden Isles - Jessup Wayne - Waycross Ware Co - Craig. We stopped in Waycross for free popcorn and a Coke and then two of the other students in my class caught up with us. On the way back we flew in between two thunderstorms. What a sight! Logged 3.5 for the day.
July 6 -- Day 30
Flew Craig to Lake City, 2.3. For some reason I had trouble keeping the plane straight and level. I don't know if it was the weather or possibly pilot induced turbulence?
July 7 -- Day 31
Tried the Craig to Lake City route again with Justin. After reaching our cruise altitude, Jacksonville vectored me at 310 degrees, directly towards a towering cumulus. So, I made it 320 degrees until I was past it and then went back to 310. After a few minutes we were allowed to go back on our original course. In front of us and 2000 feet below was one of the other students from my class. He stayed below the clouds and I flew above. It made the trip more interesting knowing that one of my friends was making the same trip. Everything went so much more smoothly than yesterday! If I can do this again, my instructor will sign me off for cross-country solo.
Alas, we are now beginning to see the effects of hurricane Dennis. It looks like we won't be flying for a few days. So, I probably won't be able to fly another cross country until Monday at earliest. All I can say is I'm glad that Dennis is headed for another part of Florida. But, we do expect lots of rain and some winds.
Timbuff10
Well-Known Member
Yeah! The Kite, I loved the free popcorn!
When I did it, I bought about 6 of those glass bottle cokes and brought them back for the instructors. I walked in the door back in jax with the bottles clinking in my bag and everyone though I went flying with beer bottles till I pulled them out of the bag.
Good times!
When I did it, I bought about 6 of those glass bottle cokes and brought them back for the instructors. I walked in the door back in jax with the bottles clinking in my bag and everyone though I went flying with beer bottles till I pulled them out of the bag.
Good times!
ZippiGuy
New Member
July 8 -- Day 32
Dennis is definitely affecting our weather. Lots of low clouds and occasional wind today. Went out to Borders for a book on radio communications and spent a good part of the day studying.
July 9 -- Day 33
Now we are getting more rain and more wind. Another study day. Actually, I got some needed rest and relaxation today too!
July 10 -- Day 34
Dennis still having an effect here. Another study day or a day off, however you want to look at it.
July 11 -- Day 35
The weather is gradually improving and Dennis has done it's worst. But, it was not quite good enough to fly. Amazing the effect such a distant hurricane can have from hundreds of miles away. I did go to Craig today hoping to get the weather break needed to fly, but it never materialized.
July 12 -- Day 36
Flew the Craig to Brunswick (Golden Isles) cross country with Justin. I felt very competent and even relaxed on trip. Sounds like Justin is going to sign me off for my first solo cross-country! Due to this afternoon's thunderstorms, it looks this will happen tomorrow morning!
The bad news is that there's another named storm and several yet to be named tropical depressions out in the Atlantic. I intend to make the most of any nice weather we get.
I guess I picked a strange year to be in Florida. We have had more named storms than any time in history for this early in the season!
Dennis is definitely affecting our weather. Lots of low clouds and occasional wind today. Went out to Borders for a book on radio communications and spent a good part of the day studying.
July 9 -- Day 33
Now we are getting more rain and more wind. Another study day. Actually, I got some needed rest and relaxation today too!
July 10 -- Day 34
Dennis still having an effect here. Another study day or a day off, however you want to look at it.
July 11 -- Day 35
The weather is gradually improving and Dennis has done it's worst. But, it was not quite good enough to fly. Amazing the effect such a distant hurricane can have from hundreds of miles away. I did go to Craig today hoping to get the weather break needed to fly, but it never materialized.
July 12 -- Day 36
Flew the Craig to Brunswick (Golden Isles) cross country with Justin. I felt very competent and even relaxed on trip. Sounds like Justin is going to sign me off for my first solo cross-country! Due to this afternoon's thunderstorms, it looks this will happen tomorrow morning!
The bad news is that there's another named storm and several yet to be named tropical depressions out in the Atlantic. I intend to make the most of any nice weather we get.
ZippiGuy
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah! The Kite, I loved the free popcorn!
When I did it, I bought about 6 of those glass bottle cokes and brought them back for the instructors. I walked in the door back in jax with the bottles clinking in my bag and everyone though I went flying with beer bottles till I pulled them out of the bag.
Good times!
[/ QUOTE ]
Good times, indeed! I think the cross-country time is the best part of this 60 day private pilot program! And, there's certainly something special about a Coke in an old-fashioned glass bottle out in the country at Waycross with the county sheriff stopping by to say hi! It was like stepping back into the 50's!
Yeah! The Kite, I loved the free popcorn!
When I did it, I bought about 6 of those glass bottle cokes and brought them back for the instructors. I walked in the door back in jax with the bottles clinking in my bag and everyone though I went flying with beer bottles till I pulled them out of the bag.
Good times!
[/ QUOTE ]
Good times, indeed! I think the cross-country time is the best part of this 60 day private pilot program! And, there's certainly something special about a Coke in an old-fashioned glass bottle out in the country at Waycross with the county sheriff stopping by to say hi! It was like stepping back into the 50's!
ZippiGuy
New Member
Hi all,
I could use your help now. If anyone has trained with ATP in Sacramento or Seattle, I would appreciate your input on the following:
I need to make a decision soon on where I will train for the Career Pilot program. At the moment, I am looking at Sacramento, CA for the 90 Day fast-track. But, I really miss my family in Seattle, WA. How would the training in Seattle compare? I know it's not the fast-track program. Does anyone know if I would be able to finish in say 4 months with ATP in Seattle if I really pushed myself? Also, does ATP have simulators in the Seattle area? How are the ATP facilities in Sacramento and Seattle?
Thanks in advance,
Zippiguy
I could use your help now. If anyone has trained with ATP in Sacramento or Seattle, I would appreciate your input on the following:
I need to make a decision soon on where I will train for the Career Pilot program. At the moment, I am looking at Sacramento, CA for the 90 Day fast-track. But, I really miss my family in Seattle, WA. How would the training in Seattle compare? I know it's not the fast-track program. Does anyone know if I would be able to finish in say 4 months with ATP in Seattle if I really pushed myself? Also, does ATP have simulators in the Seattle area? How are the ATP facilities in Sacramento and Seattle?
Thanks in advance,
Zippiguy
ZippiGuy
New Member
July 13 -- Day 37
Not much to report on today. Went to the airport ready to fly. But, my flying instructor was busy with other students today. When he finally came back, the usual thunderstorms were building earlier than usual.
July 14 -- Day 38
Today, I took off at 9am for my first cross-country solo. Flew from Craig (CRG) to Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) and back. I was excited to go and my instructor seemed a bit nervous about letting me out of the nest. But, everything went super smoothly! The radio calls came and went without a hitch, I maintained altitude and course the whole way, and all of my planning helped the flight go super smoothly! In Brunswick, I got a good picture of the local traffic by listening to the radio and made my entry into the pattern and had one of the best landings I have made so far. The highlight was watching a jet land in front of me in Brunswick while I was holding short of runway 25. The only mistake I recall making was forgetting to let the tower know I had information Golf on approach to Craig. All of my training kicked in and it was a great time! This is the point where everything came together and I started feeling like a real pilot! It's a great feeling to reach this milestone! I now have about 8 more hours of solo cross-country to look forward to.
Not much to report on today. Went to the airport ready to fly. But, my flying instructor was busy with other students today. When he finally came back, the usual thunderstorms were building earlier than usual.
July 14 -- Day 38
Today, I took off at 9am for my first cross-country solo. Flew from Craig (CRG) to Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) and back. I was excited to go and my instructor seemed a bit nervous about letting me out of the nest. But, everything went super smoothly! The radio calls came and went without a hitch, I maintained altitude and course the whole way, and all of my planning helped the flight go super smoothly! In Brunswick, I got a good picture of the local traffic by listening to the radio and made my entry into the pattern and had one of the best landings I have made so far. The highlight was watching a jet land in front of me in Brunswick while I was holding short of runway 25. The only mistake I recall making was forgetting to let the tower know I had information Golf on approach to Craig. All of my training kicked in and it was a great time! This is the point where everything came together and I started feeling like a real pilot! It's a great feeling to reach this milestone! I now have about 8 more hours of solo cross-country to look forward to.
BrianNC
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
July 13 -- Day 37
Not much to report on today. Went to the airport ready to fly. But, my flying instructor was busy with other students today. When he finally came back, the usual thunderstorms were building earlier than usual.
July 14 -- Day 38
Today, I took off at 9am for my first cross-country solo. Flew from Craig (CRG) to Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) and back. I was excited to go and my instructor seemed a bit nervous about letting me out of the nest. But, everything went super smoothly! The radio calls came and went without a hitch, I maintained altitude and course the whole way, and all of my planning helped the flight go super smoothly! In Brunswick, I got a good picture of the local traffic by listening to the radio and made my entry into the pattern and had one of the best landings I have made so far. The highlight was watching a jet land in front of me in Brunswick while I was holding short of runway 25. The only mistake I recall making was forgetting to let the tower know I had information Golf on approach to Craig. All of my training kicked in and it was a great time! This is the point where everything came together and I started feeling like a real pilot! It's a great feeling to reach this milestone! I now have about 8 more hours of solo cross-country to look forward to.
[/ QUOTE ]
Congrats!
That must be a pretty nice scenic flight along the coast there. Hard to get lost too: On the way up, coast on right. On the way back, coast on left.
July 13 -- Day 37
Not much to report on today. Went to the airport ready to fly. But, my flying instructor was busy with other students today. When he finally came back, the usual thunderstorms were building earlier than usual.
July 14 -- Day 38
Today, I took off at 9am for my first cross-country solo. Flew from Craig (CRG) to Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) and back. I was excited to go and my instructor seemed a bit nervous about letting me out of the nest. But, everything went super smoothly! The radio calls came and went without a hitch, I maintained altitude and course the whole way, and all of my planning helped the flight go super smoothly! In Brunswick, I got a good picture of the local traffic by listening to the radio and made my entry into the pattern and had one of the best landings I have made so far. The highlight was watching a jet land in front of me in Brunswick while I was holding short of runway 25. The only mistake I recall making was forgetting to let the tower know I had information Golf on approach to Craig. All of my training kicked in and it was a great time! This is the point where everything came together and I started feeling like a real pilot! It's a great feeling to reach this milestone! I now have about 8 more hours of solo cross-country to look forward to.
[/ QUOTE ]
Congrats!
That must be a pretty nice scenic flight along the coast there. Hard to get lost too: On the way up, coast on right. On the way back, coast on left.
ZippiGuy
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
That must be a pretty nice scenic flight along the coast there. Hard to get lost too: On the way up, coast on right. On the way back, coast on left.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, very scenic. The coast does help with navigation. But, so does the GPS.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, I will solo to Lake City. Then, it's the "kite".
That must be a pretty nice scenic flight along the coast there. Hard to get lost too: On the way up, coast on right. On the way back, coast on left.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, very scenic. The coast does help with navigation. But, so does the GPS.
Hey ZippiGuy. Nice avatar. Regarding Sacramento, I did my training there and found it to be a nice training environment. The number of instructors and students is less than that in Jacksonville; so, it is not so chaotic. Also, Sacramento Executive is a great airport. I can't speak for Seattle. I think it is even smaller than the Sacramento location (based on one visit there). Congrats on the x-country solos!
Steve
Steve
ZippiGuy
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Regarding Sacramento, I did my training there and found it to be a nice training environment.
[/ QUOTE ]
I decided to do my training in Seattle. According to ATP, I will still see plenty of Sacramento and other places because once I reach a certain point in my training, I will be flying a lot of cross-country. I will devote 6 days a week to my training, so I should be able to complete my training in about 4 months, which is not a huge difference from the 90 day program. The big advantage for me is to be able to see my wife and daughter.
[ QUOTE ]
Congrats on the x-country solos!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks! Cross-country solos are a lot of fun!
Regarding Sacramento, I did my training there and found it to be a nice training environment.
[/ QUOTE ]
I decided to do my training in Seattle. According to ATP, I will still see plenty of Sacramento and other places because once I reach a certain point in my training, I will be flying a lot of cross-country. I will devote 6 days a week to my training, so I should be able to complete my training in about 4 months, which is not a huge difference from the 90 day program. The big advantage for me is to be able to see my wife and daughter.
[ QUOTE ]
Congrats on the x-country solos!
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks! Cross-country solos are a lot of fun!
ZippiGuy
New Member
Hi all,
Sorry that I have not been keeping up with my posts the past few days. My internet connection has been very unreliable and I have not had time to trouble-shoot the issue. I am very lucky to get this post in.
I have just finished my 10 hours of solo cross-country time today and just got in my 3 hours of night flying as well.
I am told that my checkride is next Tuesday. So, I am going to be very busy preparing for that.
I will provide more details on my daily activities soon.
Sincerely,
Zippiguy
Sorry that I have not been keeping up with my posts the past few days. My internet connection has been very unreliable and I have not had time to trouble-shoot the issue. I am very lucky to get this post in.
I have just finished my 10 hours of solo cross-country time today and just got in my 3 hours of night flying as well.
I am told that my checkride is next Tuesday. So, I am going to be very busy preparing for that.
I will provide more details on my daily activities soon.
Sincerely,
Zippiguy
Rocketman99
Frozen Guppy Manipulator
Have fun with Ernie.
[Ernie]Dude, what are you freakin' doin'? I'm throwin you every bone in the book.[/Ernie]
[Ernie]Dude, what are you freakin' doin'? I'm throwin you every bone in the book.[/Ernie]