Phase 1 Complete

After a long few months away from Teresa and the kids, I found my way home again. My Final test went well eventhough it was on a Monday.......who really works well on Mondays? I worked hard on concentrated extra hard, being a Monday and all. Apparently my aerobatics were the best part of my test and the lazy 8, not so much. It took a day and a half to clear out and get on the road home. The drive was extra boring and very uneventful, just what I needed. I did hold my breath going through Kalamazoo though!!! The border crossing was yet a challenge again. Even the passport didn't preclude me from being pulled inside for an encore appearance!! I guess James Brown is in fact a common name that needs to be clarified who I really am each time!!! Oh well this time it was only 30 mins or so. I was very glad to be home and welcomed with open arms all around, not to mention the comfort of my own bed.

Thanks for reading and sharing my adventure for Phase 1. I start Phase 2 back in Portage the end of Aug. Hope you pick up my blog for the continuation of my training.

Loops Rolls and Coverleafs

Well the aerobatics are stepping up. I've being doing loops, rolls and cloverleafs (integration of a loop and roll). Lately I've had to put them all together in a sequence starting with a loop to a cloverleaf then finishing off with a roll, very cool!!! So far the best and most fun I've ever had flying!!! Still does not give me any interest in flying fighters though!!! Just the other day my instructor asked me to show her a loop, it went well, some debrief points. Then she asked for a roll, but I heard loop in my head (I was having a blast, like a kid with a new toy), so as I was pitching up for my loop...... which is the same start as a roll, I kept pitching (pulling back on the stick) for the loop. She was saying too much pitch, stop pitching, at this point I was thinking it was looking good for the loop.......but I stopped pitching to where we were perfectly vertical looking at the sky!!!! She said I have control after she realised I was doing a loop, not a roll but now I had stopped the loop and she was then left with the plane looking up vertical.......here comes the hammerhead turn, way cool. We both laughed!!!! She's a very talented pilot!!! After that I did a roll with little debrief.
My last flight was a solo flight out the practice area. So far to date the other 2 solo flights I've had have been in the circuit doing touch and go's. This time I was on my own with the plane out to the area about 20miles to the west of the airport. It was amazing experiencing the freedom and knowing that I can do it by myself. I practised my Lazy 8's and a couple other test items to get me ready for my Final Clear Hood Test (FCHT) that marks the end of Phase I. As of now I have just two days of flying left and I'll be heading home for the summer, back here end of Aug for Phase II.

Solo Pics

My Solo Pictures

Tyler's Solo Pictures