Congrats to someone!

[Ian_J]

Y'all are awful nice. Thankya.

Yeah, finally had schedule, weather and working airplane today. Almost didn't have working airplane, but the mech sorted it out and got it back in my hands in time for the ride.

It was a good ride - fun even. The DPE is a good guy, and I liked flying with him.

Only maneuver I was worried about was the power-off 180 - it's a much harder maneuver in a 172 than an Arrow, and I was inconsistent. But I pulled it off within about 5 feet of my target and everything was easy after that.

A number of you are owed great thanks and many beers:

@hook_dupin @bucksmith for guidance, instruction and being willing to tolerate my incessant questions. Yes, I overthink things. It also made the checkride easier. Seriously, though - Hook taught me how to fly precisely enough to bore the instructor and keep things simple, and Buck taught me how to polish up the flying while talking incessantly through the maneuver when The Dutchman (my instructor) wasn't around.

Both those guys are great pilots. And tall. Weird. Just realized that.

@Screaming_Emu @milleR for insane levels of encouragement. (This CFI crap is hard, yo) and bizarre text exchanges at odd hours of the day.

@Derg for running this place.

Will eventually decide whether to do CMEL or -II next, but not going to worry about that. Instead, I'm going to drink a couple beers and think about going flying while having someone else pay for it and being a great teacher.

Congrats, Bill! Awesome accomplishment!

 

[bucksmith]

Y'all are awful nice. Thankya.
Both those guys are great pilots. And tall. Weird. Just realized that.

@Screaming_Emu @milleR for insane levels of encouragement. (This CFI crap is hard, yo) and bizarre text exchanges at odd hours of the day.

@Derg for running this place.

Will eventually decide whether to do CMEL or -II next, but not going to worry about that. Instead, I'm going to drink a couple beers and think about going flying while having someone else pay for it and being a great teacher.

You should see me in heels!
Well done man, it’s been a pleasure watching you move along and progress. I’m proud to have taken a small part in all that. It’s really all the small tidbits you pick up from so many places that add up to a final product. Just keep stealing all the best stuff and your students will think you’re a genius.
The point about your first few students and who should pay who is clearly understood, I know. It just takes time to gain the experience it takes to look at a person and get out of the plane. Then watch as they fly your certificates around the pattern a few times. It’s hard to imagine in this world of 141 training curriculums and endless stage checks that it does not take much for a student to accomplish the first solo. And getting to that milestone as quickly (and safely) as possible is a primary goal for the first stage of learning.
Do they understand the use of rudder, rolling in AND out of turns? Do they respond properly to loss of airspeed on final? What do they do when they bounce a landing? (Unload the elevator and bend a firewall or relax it a bit and add some power?) Can they find their way to another airport in case the runway gets closed by a disabled aircraft? Fill in some gaps and they are ready. For reals.
If the student asks when are they gonna solo, you’ve probably waited too long. When they are a little surprised about you getting out of the airplane, probably just right. That first lap around the pattern will be flown on your confidence (demonstrated by the mere fact you’ve gotten out of the airplane). The next two laps will be flown on their confidence. After that day, training them becomes a lot easier.
Sorry, that was the yappiest congratulations ever!
Well done Sir!

 

[Stone Cold]

Y'know, I should have added @Stone Cold, @Captain_Bob and @LoadMasterC141 to that list, too. They were the first 3 JC people I met at a short M&G back in...2006, I think. Can't remember, exactly. But all those guys were engaged, interested and encouraging.

Little things matter, folks. They really do.

God, we're getting old! Haha. Congrats on the accomplishment. It's one of those rides I still remember today. I can't tell you what day of the week it is, but I'll always remember my CFI initial.

Kick some ass and do a good job teaching future aviators.

 

[Boris Badenov]

It's one of those rides I still remember today. I can't tell you what day of the week it is, but I'll always remember my CFI initial.

Mega-dittos. Come on, that's still funny right? Anyway. Yeah, I remember my first solo like one remembers their first time getting to second base. Just unalloyed joy. The possibilities are limitless! You can only go up from here! Er, you know metaphorically. I remember my CFI initial more like the first time I slid in to home plate. Joy followed by deep and abiding CONCERN. Oh God, what have I done? What will be expected of me now? What if I got her preg...I mean what if I'm not up to the task? The overriding memory is one of sweat and fear. Which, come to think of it, fits the analogy rather well, wouldn't you say? In any case, it's behind you now, congrats. Now it's time to start Worrying. Rather a lot, it turns out. Enjoy!

 

[killbilly]

Mega-dittos. Come on, that's still funny right? Anyway. Yeah, I remember my first solo like one remembers their first time getting to second base. Just unalloyed joy. The possibilities are limitless! You can only go up from here! Er, you know metaphorically. I remember my CFI initial more like the first time I slid in to home plate. Joy followed by deep and abiding CONCERN. Oh God, what have I done? What will be expected of me now? What if I got her preg...I mean what if I'm not up to the task? The overriding memory is one of sweat and fear. Which, come to think of it, fits the analogy rather well, wouldn't you say? In any case, it's behind you now, congrats. Now it's time to start Worrying. Rather a lot, it turns out. Enjoy!

If I had taken my CFI initial on the floor of the living room this would make more sense.

 

[ozziecat35]

I'm late to the party, but I think I got ya on Facebook. Regardless, super happy for you man! As someone who couldn't hack it as a CFI, I know how hard that certificate it to obtain, well done!