NetJets!!!

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It's been a couple of months since the NetJets presentation at CAPT and today they flew in a Citation Sovereign Jet! It was awesome! This is a rough piece-together of two separate photos. I didn't want to do it in Photoshop or anything. I'm on a busy schedule. I got to tour the inside and took as many pictures as I could. Here are a few.


This is a picture of the cockpit area. It doesn't look that spacious but the equipment / avionics is freaking amazing! Look at all that glass.

The next two are the bathroom and the LED Right Wing Green Position Lights. It's a lot of wood for the banio eh? Clean and fresh looking.

The postion lights were even cool enough to take a picture of. I'm not sure if you can tell but they consist of two sets of 3 green LED bulbs. Good stuff huh?

Of course, we had to begin our flight after a short delay of oooo's and aaaa's and it started raining a little bit. It was the first time that I got to use my Sporty's headset adapter (actually second) where I hook up my cellular phone to my headset and communicate without all the jet noise. It worked seemslessly. I was able to clearly file an IFR flight plan with Gainesville Flight Service and get a clearance void with Daytona Approach. It was a good feeling where I was able to totally be part of the crew. Sadly enough, it was the first time that I ever filed a Clearance Void. We were at the end of the runway anyways, so Daytona Beach gave us from :27 after the hour until :30 to takeoff and contact Approach. It was good stuff. Here's a shot of the Citation departing right before we took the active Runway 11 at Flagler.

Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention that two of the CAPT graduates got to go for a ride to Virginia to watch the pilots training do practice approaches into some random airports with terrain variations. They also headed up to Columbus, Ohio which is the location of their headquarters. They will get a tour tomorrow and get to fly in a Citation X tomorrow back to Flagler. That's just freaking awesome. I hope that we can establish some relationship where they do start hiring us. That's the job that I would go after! Corporate all the way!

Cadets on Beach Street

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Well, after a long week of straight flying night after night and a Saturday Stage Check (which I passed by the way if you didn't read the previous entry) a bunch of us decided to check out the beer fest out in Daytona Beach. We had scheduled to get there before it ended, but things got shot down a bit and we ended up there around 10:00 PM. Little to say, we ended up at a place called Redtails then after much "hanging out," we headed over to an Irish pub called McK's just to wind down. Here's a picture of all of us. Yeah I look like a tool but I was squished in between a wall and hugging Matt, so it just came naturally to just leave my hand in that position. Don't comment on the Deb's Glamour Shots Pose.

Stage I complete and on to Stage II

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Stage 2 of Multi-engine commercial consists of just building up time. I mean a lot of time! We have a lof of multiple cross country flights that extend beyond 250NM and even farther. We have to accumulate about 2-3 hours on the HOBBS alternating between flights. With this all said, we have a great possibility of actually traveling across the country. Another crew is already on their way to Las Vegas and I hope that I might also have this oppurtunity in the following week. More on this topic later.

Today's flight was alright. Not my personal best but I guess that stage checks aren't ever that good anyways. My approach was a little sloppy in reference to altitude. It was really bumpy on my entire flight and I had a simulated broken HSI. That made the approach really exciting because it extends my normal scan outside of its boundaries back and forth between CDI #2 and the Garmin 430 stack. I definitely have to fine tune everything prior to the next two stages and the DE ride. But come to think of it, I only have 2 more in house checks and the DE + Adv. Meteorlogy then I'm done with piston! It's amazing!!!

Frustrating (part 2) and Otis Spunkmeyer

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So, Manoj and I got a Seminole today and guess which one?!?!?! N935ER! Apparently maintenance fixed the problem. So, it was my turn to go first because of the make up time I needed from the night before. I take my time setting up the Garmin GS430 and complete a good runup, get lined up for 29 at X47 and execute a short field take off. Engine instruments in the green...opps, in the yellow...crap in the red...damnit it peaked past! It's the same damn instrument: Left Oil Pressure Gauge. I abort a total of three times after trying to do a static run and cycle the prop a few times. That doesn't help at all. I actually spent a totally of .6 doing that too and just taxied back to the CAPT ramp and asked for another plane. That's always a good way to start a flight.

We get N926ER: the mildew infested aircraft. I do a preflight and notice that the flight controls weren't "free and correct." We got them lubed up and the plane then smelt like mildew/grease. It was great! We discussed those issues on our departure briefing and headed for the fuel farm. We got gas, took off, did some maneuvers in the North Practice area before heading on our trip to Tallahassee (KTLH). It was a nice chill ride there with all my checkpoints lining up nicely. Finally when we were clear to land on 36, it a while for me to see the airport because it was just really dark. I spotted it after a while and did three landings. Got those out of the way and landed and taxied to Flightline FBO. It was awesome! Pool table, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, leather ottomans...it was gorgeous! Fuel wasn't that much either at $3.64 /gal. Good stuff. I met a gentleman by the name of Colt who flies the Citation II out of X47. It was a nice contact and hopefully I'll be able to meet up and talk to him more often. Anyways, if anything, I got some good night time flying in and am pretty close to reaching my Stage I check before the week's end.

Frustrating!

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Another frustrating day of PA44 flying. Piper, ERAU, & CAPT really have to get together and figure out what the hell is going on with the stupid oil pressure indicator. There has been a few times already where this would cut the lesson short. There also have been crews that do not down the airplane because this problems arises so much that it might not be all that risky. Shoot, I'm not going to take this risk. I guess next time I should take a picture or something.

To top it off, Diamond Aircraft came by with their DA42 Twin Star and did a quick show. I didn't have a chance to check it out because I didn't even know that they were coming. The had it on the ramp for a while too. I mean, what is ERAU trying to do to the new students? First they promise it from the beginning of our training and now (10 months into it and almost done with the multi-engine phase) they are taunting us again. The last few months have just been full of rumors and comments on our situation with any plane with G1000 Garmin Equipment. We are suppose to be the leaders in education and training and technology?! I don't think so. I know that the training is the best, but the equipment? Two out of out 4 PA44 are just dirt and full of mold/mildew. It makes me sick. I mean, the two planes really make me feel physically sick. Oh well, almost done. I hope that I get to experience a long cross country soon. But until then, resources, resources, resources. We'll see. Help pray for the best! I can almost see the end.

Oh yeah, Diamond Aircraft delievered the first one already in the US to a gentleman in St. Petersburg. I want to fly it sometime! The DA42 is such a sweet plane! I want a DA42 when I grow up. It just awesome! Check out the specs by clicking on the picture above!

The Weather Man

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Umm...I actually just watched this movie and have to say that it was bizarre. I don't know what category of good / bad to put it in. I mean, its a story but one that is very bland or mopey as one critic called it. I guess if you really want to look at the artistic nature of the film, it does the job?! I don't even know what I'm talking about. I definitely would just have to advise to perhaps, watch something else a little bit more cheerful. Not loving this one too much. For more reviews from other people, click the poster. (It'll lead you the review page under Rotten Tomatoes.)

Go Chargers!

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Yet again, another close game. All of the Chargers losses have come down to it being decided in final minutes of the game. Today, was yet another one of those nail biting experiences. I have to admit that my heart dropped right around the same minute mark as last weeks game against the Eagles.
LT got a record four touchdowns today which was awesome! The first half was definitely the Chargers at their best, but you can argue that it was the Jets defense at their weakest because they shaped up really well for the second half.

Okay, so they are saying that the game ball goes to 23 - Quienten Jammer? Oh please...once San Diego acquires a new CB, he better be the first to go. The first play of the game, he gets a face mask call and then a pass interference call a just a little later. He is ridiculous! Every single game, he gives up a crucial defensive play. Now, Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo...that's a whole other game! Shaun Philipps too?! Man, we just making some good moves up there. Donnie Edwards definitely needs to keep his cool. But all in all, it was a good game. Now, I can rest for one weekend! Oh yeah, I forgot that Reche Caldwell made up for those two lost fumballs. Well, not really. He's still not out of my dog house. Gates seems like he's on the ball!

Random Saturday in Daytona Beach

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So, I woke up today learning that my Charger hat sold on eBay for just about what I paid for which was good. I wanted to ship it out today but I woke up late and the post office closes at 12:00 pm along with UPS stopping at 13:00. I didn't wake up that late, but I wouldn't have time to get ready and head to Palm Coast. It's about a 15 - 20 minute drive to the PCP.

After I did that, I cooked a good breakfast meal. I had rice, Vienna sausage with some Montreal steak seasoning along with scrambled eggs with onions, green onions, pepper, and salt mixed in. I have to say that I was even impressed with how good it tasted! I just might do that again tomorrow.

Then, JZ (Jon Zimmerman) came over and all three of us (Matt included) headed to Daytona to go hit some golf balls at the Daytona Beach Public Golf Club. I did okay, but wasn't consistent. I was using an old school wooden driver that they had for those without clubs. We then hung around for a bit and I found a place in Port Orange with a batting cage. We headed there and on the way saw a good place to eat. Or what we thought we be a good place. Here's a picture of me in the batting cages.

After finding out that we we were not that good we left and headed to that place that looked pretty interesting. Oh yeah, I was able to bat lefty pretty good tonight too. Much better at hitting left handed with the fastballs than the right. This picture is me hitting righty.

We got a little lost along the way, but managed to find the restaurant that looked like it was in the middle of a bayou or something. Before we entered through the chain link fence, a gentleman that looked like Rip Van Winkle greeted as he walked out of the place. I mean, his beard long and white. I passed by a Red Ford Ranger with an awesome American symbol. Check it out! Gotta love the Daytona Beach!

Flying last night at Savannah was pretty fun too. I landed straight in for Runway 36 and then made a left turn to join the left downwind for runway 9 with an MD 88 following in close. With him following me, I made a very short approach as what tower advised me that I do. After doing a quick touch-n-go, tower then told me to make a right turn and join the right downwind for 36. We did a go around, because there was another plane on final for 9 and the two runways intersect. I actually went around because my instructor pulled a fuse that indicated our landing gear wasn't functioning properly. It was convenient. Of course, tower then told me to turn left again for 9 and the last one, we headed back for 36. It was some awesome pattern work at KSAV. I loved doing that. I was a little confusing at first, but I was able to tune in both ILS freq. and switch between the two on every approach. We fueled at Signature FBO which was great. The iced tea, hot cocoa, little indoor putting area and couches were great. We even got .75 cents off with the Embry Riddle discount. Along the taxi way were 4 harriers and when we were preparing to leave, we saw a C130 taking off. It was a good night. Here's the picture of the runway layout.

a party without me

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Hope you are all ready to party like ROCK STARS because we are rollin out in the biggest Limo Bus in San Diego to celebrate me & Vince's engagement! The party will be RAGING with over 80 ft of black leather couch seating, a 42" plasma, a stripper pole and most importantly.... a BATHROOM! We will cruise the city and make stops at our favorite beaches. Charging all night is priority so make sure you BYOB and BYOW!!! No charge for the limo bus...just pitch in for the driver's tip $5/person. Please let us know asap only if you can DEFINITELY make it as seating is VERY limited. Hope to see you there!

So, this is the evite for my godson's engagement party! Look at what I'm missing! This is ridiculous! Take lots of pictures Vincenzo! That sounds like so much freaking fun!

Opa Locka

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This was my first flight to the area of Miami and I have to say that it is damn busy. There are so many lights around that its really hard to find and distinguish an airport. The only way I was able to find the airports were by spotting the aerodrome beacon but even that didn't help me orient myself for a VFR approach around the runway.

Gas prices are pretty steep these days. We filled up at $3.99 at the self serve as compared to $5.65 at the FBO (Miami Executive). Of course there was no Belgian Coffee or leather recliners to sit on, but hey, got to save the school some money and be wise about things right? I filled up the Seminole and got ready for my flight. Taxiing was fun as it was my first large airport to 'wander' around. I mean, the instructions were pretty simple, but I really had to mentally be aware of where I was on the map while moving on the ground. I wish that I could just taxi around large airports with different instructions to help myself learn how to navigate larger areas. I'm looking forward to going to Savannah, Georgia tomorrow.

I climbed to 8500' for my cruising altitude and was able to maintain 155 ground speed. On the way back home, I had a chance to skirt a cloud layer while on a local IFR clearance at 6000 feet. That was awesome because we just kept popping in and out of it at that altitude. I also got to see a rather long streaking shooting star! That pretty much topped off the trip. I did try to take pictures and stuff, but my point and shoot can't handle the longer exposures like an SLR.

I landed pretty smoothly at X47 which reminds me that I heard another pilot at Opa Locka tell the tower to, "Clean up the grease on the runway." I just thought that was waaaay cheese. For those who don't understand that lingo, greasing it means touching down at an optimum setting. Another way to describe it would be a 'feather-like' landing. It does feel good when you touchdown and barely feel the wheels touch, but come on, that's just cheese. Of course, if it was his friend or something in the tower, that would be more of a camaraderie type deal, but no. =)

VFR Night flying

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I have to admit that everytime I get to fly around a large populous area at night with clear skies still excites me! I sit there and just realize that this is really what I want to do. Its amazing to fly over Downtown Orlando while trying to find the stupid airport beacon and runway identifier lights. I voluntarily turned off the map screen on the Garmin 530 (GPS Map system) so that I can just level up my night vision skills. It was awesome how situationally aware I was. I skirted around town at about 1400 feet which is right under the Bravo air space around that area and headed towards a good 45 entry for a left downwind for runway 7 at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL). As we got closer, we could see the airport lighting system for Orlando International Airport (KMCO). Its awesome just 'noticing' these things. The lights really kind of distract you more or less.

Flying back to Flagler, I did some commercial steep turns (not to PTS standards) and executed an awesome emergency descent. My landings (I did 6 in all) were awesome! I was feeling each one of them compared to the other night. These were definitely comparable to my day landings. I also asked to land at Flagler twice at night because of how different the environment is without lights and with the shorter, narrower runway. I transitioned accordingly and successfully executed both of them.

Tomorrow night, we're going to head to Opa Locka which is just north of Miami. I'm definitely looking forward to that flight because I have never gone south of Vero Beach. Miami, here I come!

Rod Machado and Me!

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Today was President's Safety Day at ERAU - CAPT. We had a great talk from the Main Campus Safety Advisor, the President and Vice President of ERAU, Our Executive Director and Safety Advisor and Mr. Rod Machado himself. For those who may not know him, Rod Machado is a well known pilot within the GA (General Aviation) Community and is a big contributor to the overall awareness of aviation in the public sector. He is also a motivational speaker and has authored many books on "How to Fly" type scenarios.

Rod Machado spoke for quite a while today emphasizing on different aspects of complacency. The five different points all basically came down to asking yourself: What am I going to get out of the situation? In other words, if you are iffy on executing your flight, you should maybe just stand down and wait out the weather. Or if anything, just try to make a decision that you'll be better off with by staying in your realm of comfort

The rest of the time, there was a huge emphasis on safety. CAPT is a young program but with the culture that it posses, we have a bright future. So far, we have flown approximately 15,000 some odd hours, approximately 2 years and 3 months, and have been accident free. We are looking to keep that tradition going.

Of course, as you are reading this, you might ask, what I am not flying. If you aren't, just look at the time. I'm suppose to be in the air practicing night landings in the PA44. (It's 2006 EST) We have two front converging and they just felt like placing themselves right over my area. So, the minimums went down below our standards for dispatch and we were put on hold. Again, putting what Rod Machado emphasized today, we felt that it wouldn't be a good idea to go flying because of how we felt about it in the first place. I call up Gainesville Flight Service and they weren't too keen on VFR or even IFR (winds at 6000 were around 60 knots out of 270) and cloud coverage was just all over the place with embedded thunderstorms. Not a fun thing to fly around especially without any weather data on board. So, we made the decision to just wait it out till tomorrow night. It should be nice.

Adelle went home this morning. I had to take her to KDAB around 500 EST which was great fun. She spend the night before flying with Manoj and I. Last night we flew around and did night time maneuvers for the first time in a while in the PA44. Emergency Descent was fun along with the Commercial Standard Steep Turns. I fly second to kind of give Adelle a heads up on what I would be doing come my turn. She clasped my hands for some of the maneuvers but relaxed after she got use to it. It was fun sitting in the back of the Seminole just her and I. We never got a chance to fly just the two of us in the back of a small plane. Of course, I was still acting as pilot monitoring and made my necessary call outs so Adelle and I didn't speak to each other that much. We did an approach in KSFB (Sanford Executive, Orlando) followed by 3 stop and gos.

Now, when it came around to my turn, I got ready to go and after the first take off made a turn to stay in the pattern. It was great flying at a towered field again, at night, but I was definitely not ready for it. I haven't flown like this in quite a while so I was making myself really alert and trying to stay on top of things. All three landings at KSFB were okay, but not to my day standards. The ground would always just pop up out of nowhere about 2 seconds prior to me expecting touchdown. I could never get use to it. On the way back home to Flagler, I once again tried to settle it down slowly, but because the change in the sight picture, I wasn't ready again and still landed okay, but not to my standards of feather like. I have a lot to work on, but the next few lessons are on night proficiency. That hopefully will take care of it. Till then!