I have had another hour of dual circuits today and then solo circuits which were cut short due to the ever descending cloud base and seeing as TPA (traffic pattern altitude) isn't variable, I came back in to land and taxiied back to parking.
I have my first progress test tomorrow, PT1. Basically just circuits and an Emergency drill, demonstrated as best as possible. Have to answer a few technical questions and the like however, nothing too much to handle!
I'll let you know how it goes
Sam
Happy 19th Birthday Mr Wallace
Monday 7 November 2011
Thursday 3 November 2011
So here we go....
Well, where do I begin? It has been a while and I am sorry for those who check this regularly to see what I have been up to for keeping you waiting. I'm just having so much fun out here it's hard to find the time to write, what can only be called an essay due to me letting events that need to be reported, back up.
Firstly, I went on a road trip with four of my friends, Jai, Sari, Ashley and Matt to the Grand Canyon, stopping overnight in Flagstaff, continuing up to Williams and then on up to the Canyon. We hired a car, which was basically a tank with armchairs, a great sound system and such a smooth ride. The time in the car flew by, putting on songs, watching the temperature continually fall due to a continual climb in altitude heading towards Flagstaff. One thing we really noticed was how clear the sky was, it was just incredible. It was clear enough to see the milky way, which I have never seen before and would never get tired of seeing again.
We checked into the the hotel hassle free and went out to get some food. We stopped to eat at a place called the lumberyard which was so cool. Good food, fire pits and six mile trains rumbling past the front. Just the job.
The next day we headed out to Williams and Grand Canyon. Williams is a typical old style, almost wild western town which is so small, everyone knows each other and is on the world renowned Route 66. Everyone we met there were really friendly and when taking photos across a road, people stopped their cars so they didn't spoil your shot, which just blew my mind, you really wouldn't get that back home. We stopped at a diner there and got milkshakes and met a few locals, filled ourselves up before moving on towards the Canyon.
Driving from Williams en-route to Grand Canyon National Park, we came across a museum of vintage aircraft which, when a car full of student pilots approaches, is a must see attraction. Despite it being cheap, there was a multitude of all sorts of aircraft which would even keep the non aviation lover interested and inquisitive.
Firstly, I went on a road trip with four of my friends, Jai, Sari, Ashley and Matt to the Grand Canyon, stopping overnight in Flagstaff, continuing up to Williams and then on up to the Canyon. We hired a car, which was basically a tank with armchairs, a great sound system and such a smooth ride. The time in the car flew by, putting on songs, watching the temperature continually fall due to a continual climb in altitude heading towards Flagstaff. One thing we really noticed was how clear the sky was, it was just incredible. It was clear enough to see the milky way, which I have never seen before and would never get tired of seeing again.
We checked into the the hotel hassle free and went out to get some food. We stopped to eat at a place called the lumberyard which was so cool. Good food, fire pits and six mile trains rumbling past the front. Just the job.
The next day we headed out to Williams and Grand Canyon. Williams is a typical old style, almost wild western town which is so small, everyone knows each other and is on the world renowned Route 66. Everyone we met there were really friendly and when taking photos across a road, people stopped their cars so they didn't spoil your shot, which just blew my mind, you really wouldn't get that back home. We stopped at a diner there and got milkshakes and met a few locals, filled ourselves up before moving on towards the Canyon.
Driving from Williams en-route to Grand Canyon National Park, we came across a museum of vintage aircraft which, when a car full of student pilots approaches, is a must see attraction. Despite it being cheap, there was a multitude of all sorts of aircraft which would even keep the non aviation lover interested and inquisitive.
Me With an Ex-Blue Angels Aircraft
Once we had secured our fix for not being involved in anything aviation related for at least one day, we continued towards the 'main event'.
We arrived at the Canyon from the South and therefore parked up on the South Rim. We went to see the sunset, so we got to witness the breathtaking sights during day, dusk and night, which was definitely the best way to do it for sure! We were told that the best place to see the sunset was a point on the rim called Mohave. Sunset was at 17:43 and we reached it at approximately 17:30, taking pictures the whole way up and chatting with some Americans who had travelled to see the sights too.
If you have never visited the Grand Canyon, despite my boldest effort to try and master the description of emotions and sights, I really just can't emphasise how vast and overwhelming it is. I'll just let some pictures do the talking...
We ended up being the last people at the Canyon and we headed back towards the bus stop. There was a stage where I thought we had missed the last bus and were therefore stranded at Mohave point needing to walk about 5 miles back to the car, but luckily the last bus passed and picked us up! Phew, the black bears that live in the wild around the canyon were on my mind, wandering down an open road in the moonlight....at the Grand Canyon. Sometimes I really do need to pinch myself.
Overall, the trip was well worth all the driving and expense and I will never ever forget it.
The following day I flew in the morning, just performing emergency checks and practicing my circuits, which was just a normal flight. However, once I had finished my flying for the day, I headed to the Aeroplane Graveyard in Tucson. The museum there is unreal. It has all retired aircraft, including an SR-71 Blackbird, military, commercial, political and NASA aircraft. The phrase, kid in a candy store comes to mind. It's a really cool place to visit if you're ever out here!
Yesterday (1/11/11) I had my first solo flight. It was just one circuit out of Goodyear which only lasts five minutes or so, but it was the most awesome 5 minutes I have had out here so far. To finally get my first input in the 'Pilot in Command' column felt so good and all the hard work and revision all came together and was truly worthwhile. I have many more solo flights ahead however, I have put together a cool video of my very first solo and me having the traditional celebration at the end. I am having trouble uploading it to Youtube video site. I will upload it to here once I get it sussed and if it doesn't upload after trying as hard as I can to get it to work, I will burn it to a disc and send some home for Mum and Dad to show or distribute to anyone who would like a copy (e.g. Grandparents).
Pretty much all I have been up to, oh and I went to play trampoline dodgeball again tonight, which is basically what it says in the title... I told you life out here was tough.
Any comments are completely welcome. It will be nice to hear from anyone who reads this, I see I had a view in Saudi Arabia, which I can only put down to Google and Oxford Aviation popularity.
Stay safe everyone and I'll speak soon
Sam
P.S Happy Birthday Helen :)
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