Hey guys. Surprised and glad to see people are still taking a look at this thread... I'll definitely continue the updates... not every day like I originally planned though, just no time for it (anyone who is in the program knows why)! So instead of a day-to-day synopsis, this will be more of a general picture of each portion of the program kind of thread. Again, if anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask! So heres an update:
I have finished instrument traning and passed my Instrument Checkride (first time) on 6/14/2013 (see picture below). The examiner I was assigned gave a good checkride... About a 2.5 hour oral and a 2 hour flight. For those of you in the program or thinking about the program, here's my advice for the instrument portion:
1. Complete the Instrument App on thr iPad ASAP. Some of it is decent information, but there is much more studying to be done and you don't want admin emailing you about your progress with the app constantly.... get it out of the way and take notes.
2. Don't bother with the ASA instrument oral prep book. Waste of time in my opinion. You get most of that information through other studying. If you have extra time (which you won't), then maybe take a look...but really not necessary.
3. There's a packet floating around the schools and internet called "The All You Need To Know Instrrument Handout." Get it. Memorize it...All of it. It is a very good summary of most of the basics for the oral/knowledge requirements. Again, there is a lot more you have to know which you will pull out of the FAA Instrument Flying Handbook and through ground school (if you're lucky enough to have a good instructor that is willing to give ground school [I am lucky enough to have a very good instructor who goes well beyond what he is paid to do to make sure his students are well prepared]).
4. I recommend grouping up with other students and teaching different subjects to each other (for any portion of the program). The best way to learn is to teach. If you can successfully and concisely teach something, then you understand it.
5. Lastly, the simulator is your best friend. Pair up with other students, get your instructor to teach you how to work the sim and "play ATC," and shoot as many unfamiliar approcahes with as many engine and system failures as you can. It only makes you better. I was in the sim constantly and it was a direct factor in helping me be as well prepared as I was for the checkride.
After my Instrument Checkride, I completed the short crew cross-country training sims and flight and then headed out on my x/c's with a fellow student at the RIC location on 6/20/2013. I took off of work the following Mon-Wed so I could throw 10 straight days at the x/c's in an attempt to get them without taking a month (remember I'm self-paced). My partner and I flew all over the place... TX, LA, MS, GA, NC, SC, FL, NJ, NY etc... A lot of fun but also completely exhausting. You fly from 8am-8pm most days with short breaks for refueling/lunch here and there. We were lucky enough to get grounded for weather one afternoon/night in Jacksonville, FL and were able to hit the beach. Two more x/c flights (I will probablty fly down to LZU and then back to RIC) and I will be finished....a month ahead of schedule! On to Commercial Training next week....wish me luck. We have a new examiner in the RIC location and he does not have a good reputation.... Should be interesting.
So heres some advice for your x/c's:
1. Pack for a week trip, but as light as you can. Its a pain lugging around a lot of baggage.
2. Get on Flight Ops good side early and they will be more willing to send you to far off locations (i.e. westward if you are based on the east coast and eastward if you're on the west coast).
3. Don't be afraid to tell Flight Ops you aren't flying through that... There are three dispatchers and I will let you have your own opinions about each of them. My opinion is that two of them were great/understanding and one was very much the opposite. We were pushed to fly through thunderstorms on several ocasions and had to simply say "I'm PIC and I'm not flying through that weather." Its your call... not theirs. Obviously if the weather is good you need to fly... but if there is solid justification as to why you should not fly, then don't fly. Seminoles and thunderstorms won't get along. I found it annoying when I would be asked repeatedly "hey...don't you want to get done sooner.... can't you just find a hole and punch through it?" Be safe...bottom line.
Overall though, the x/c's were a lot of fun. Best part of the program in my opinion. Take the oportunity to meet as many other pilots/students as you can...networking can never hurt.
Lastly... If you're taking the time to read all of this and are thinking of this program (or something similar at another school)...please make sure you are preapred for whats ahead. This is not for the faint of heart... It is A LOT of work and you must take it very seriously. Its frustrating to see zero experience students come in with the "flying airplanes will be cool...I think I'll do that" mentality and then wash out of the program becasue they had no idea what they were getting into and didn't take it seriously. I've seen it happen to several people so far....don't be one of them. If you're gonna do this, put your big boy (or girl) pants on. You can't screw around and succeed. Thats my two cents...
Let me know if you guys have any questions about anything.... Take it easy!
Mike