MD90 Landing and the FMS!

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The FMS system is such a great way to navigate in a jet, that is once you understand all the qwerks about it. From inputting, calibrating the IRUs to just setting up your route is a small pain at first, but I'm sure it'll all come together soon enough.

You have to love that CBT (computer based training) lab that we have for the MD90 FMS system. "There are alphanumeric keys on the MCDU. You have Alpha keys on the right and the numeric keys on the left." Seriously, that's what it is. You can't speed up nothing either. But you do learn a lot. It just drags quite a bit. CAPT really needs to move the MD90 CBT to Flagler.

Today was the first day that we got to sit inside the sim and actually punch in numbers and "execute" navigational commands. I got to rotate and actually even land the plane. It was an KLAX 24R Departure followed by an ILS back in. We programmed the FMS for the KLAX Loop4.Dagget route, etc, but didn't really need to fly the path so we just turned around. Landing was pretty neat, but once I disengaged the autopilot, the corrections that I made were too much. I wasn't on centerline and I started to oscillate a little back and forth. All of this plus the fact that I was below glideslope the entire time. The landing was that smooth, but I got it down without a bunch of shaking going on. I'm sure that it'll get better with practice. I didn't red screen the thing, so, so far so good! I can't wait to actually learn more about flying this airplane.

in

Just an update on the New Washer... I love it! It's so fast and I finally gave in and ditched the downey ball for the round middle spinner thingy. Good stuff! Go Whirpool.

I still wouldn't mind the front loading LGs. My friend in Boston got a new television over the past week or so. He went all out with the a 32" Samsung LCD. Its freaking kick ass too! I wonder how much stuff inside current my house and my old room I have to sell (maybe on ebay) to upgrade to that thing. I still have one of the original HDTV Built-in TVs from Sony. It's definitely one of the best tube televisions out. I even bought it for the full intro HDTV price. Its the 34" XBR WideScreen, but for $4000, definitely not the same when the new Samsung only costs $2K. Gotta love the advancement in TVs and the decline in prices. I do have to admit that my TV at home is probably 5 years old or something. So, I guess you can say that it did its job.

Oh yeah...the new USPS postage stamp fee is now .39 cents. Don't forget those awesome .02 cent add-ons.

121 Regs...

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DONE!!! I didn't pass with the greatest of grades today only scoring a 90%. Remember that 90% is the passing score here at CAPT. It's an awesome standard and only makes you want to strive harder and work at it more and more. Tomorrow morning is going to be our first hands-on on the MD90. We're not going to be too much flying but instead we're going to be punching buttons into the FMS and learning how to preflight the plane. I'm loving all the new information that I am learning. I just wish that I can swallow the food before I get another mouthful. I'm sure that this is just going to make us deal with it better than others without this kind of firehouse experience who apply to the airlines. =)

Today was the first day that two of us were approached with some antagonism around the Main Campus at Daytona Beach Embry-Riddle. To think that some of these individuals were also graduate studnets. It's ridiculous that there is that animosity in the college itself about a sister program. I mean, at UCSD, when we opened the new Business School, expanded other things around campus, students were envious but not hating new. Is it partly due to the fact, student at main campus do not know that we did our time finishing up our BS degree already? We are already accomplished individuals who decided to change career paths. Give it some rest already. There are going to be a lot jobs available for everyone in the next few months. Just think though, the bonds that CAPT is building now will only strengthen ERAU as a whole! Get this too folks: The first main campus graduate just graduated from the CAPT program last week. What does that tell you? Please, lets just all get along.

Focus Air anyone?

Feature Film: The FBO

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Have any of you watched "The Terminal" with Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones? Just imagine camping out at a little FBO, in Naples, Florida, with no bags, in full CAPT uniform for more than 24 hours.

The rising action: After the exciting graduation and insightful visit from the Chief Pilot at ExpressJet, Captain Joe Seitz, Ryan, Kurt, Manoj and I hoped on a DA40 to burn off some LOFT time. After a careful weather analysis, we left X47 for what would be a clear, flight to Naples, Florida. Along the way around the Orlando area, we got into some IMC that bumped us quite a bit, but it wasn’t anything too bad. We got in around 1830 on Friday, 13th of June after a 2.6 hour flight and checked out the crew car to grab a quick dinner. After driving for a little while, we sat down at a Cheesecake Factory outside in the patio to only find ourselves getting drenched by the pop up Florida Thunderstorms. Lightning was visible throughout the vicinity and with that observation, we headed back to the FBO to wait out for the weather to clear up. Prior to the FBO closing at 2200, we jumped in our aircraft at 2145, powered up, and just listened to the AWOS hoping for the best. The lightning had stopped, but the cloud layer was coming in like a fog of war. The AWOS was calling for a cloud layer that was below the minimum approach MDA. A limitation in the CAPT FOM states that a crew cannot takeoff if the ceiling is reported as being lower than the lowest altitude on an instrument approach. On our way back to the FBO, we actually heard a Falcon Jet go missed because the soup was just so thick! Apparently because of that, a CRJ200 diverted to another airport due to the WX. Being unlucky on Friday the Thirteenth, we shut down and just sat ourselves outside on the benches underneath the awning, waiting. Around 2300 or so, we were approached by some good men of the FBO and were offered to come inside and stay in the Pilot Lounge. We couldn't get enough of it. We moved sofas around and finally got comfortable. Looking forward to departing early in the morning on Saturday, we went to sleep with knowing that the TAFs were calling for good weather. That couch wasn’t comfortable at all, but it was something! Thanks for the mouthwash in the bathroom. I went to sleep thinking that I love adventure.

We awoke to winds howling and people bustling around the FBO. After checking the WX, the TAFs said that the winds wouldn’t calm down until 1800. Hoping that the WX would change, I grabbed whatever caffeine I could to help me for the flight home (Venti Java Chip from Starbucks). I ended up passing out on the recliner for a couple of hours while the other guys just watched television. I caught the last part of Conan: The Destroyer on HBO which was interesting. Throughout the day, we met some interesting pilots and two that come to mind were NetJets pilots. Chuck Fox and Eric Knott both were really cool to talk to. They even gave us a tour of their Citation XLS and that probably made our trip worth while. It’s always nice to talk to really happy pilots that enjoy what they do. You can’t blame the bitter ones for the position that they are in, but I like to remain as positive as I can. I’ll tell you though, it can be really difficult at times. I hope that I won’t ever be that way.

Finally, as the night wore on, we ended up eating at Dairy Queen for a snack, and then headed over to Mickel Bobs for “America’s Finest Ribs.” We saw it on along the road, and kind of laughed at the assumption that they made. After Gordon a pilot from AirNow and Tonya, a dispatcher from CAPT recommend the place we decided to give it a try. The ribs were soft and the coleslaw was great! Good stuff. We did have BBQ from Woody’s at graduation again, so I guess the whole BBQ thing was kind of played out for me.

Sitting around at 1900 once again in the Pilot Lounge, the ATIS was still reporting some gusty winds. Still a no go per CAPT FOM which states that a crew cannot leave with winds gusting greater than 20 knots. It’s a good limitation, but I guess it seemed as if, we would be able to handle the situation and takeoff safely. Oh well, we the TAF was calling now for 2100 calm winds. Did it happen…nope…what can you do with unforecasted weather. Nothing apparently besides just wait and watch some football. Finally nearing close again, we were forced to just hang outside this time around, but I made friend with Joy and Chris from the European-American Flight School next to the Naples Air Center where we were hanging out all day. They were a blast to talk to and were surprised at how well and disciplined we were for abiding to our FOM.

Finally, after the executive decision was made to stay, we got a room for $55.00 at some local in. I was able to ask them for a student-pilot discount and she was kind of nice. Prior to leaving the FBO, the front clerk called for us and she said that they were charging $119 for a room. I guess we were lucky!

We left the next morning as early as we could and caught a $10 cabbie ride to the Naples Air Center. There was a good headwind forecasted the entire way up. I logged 2.8 hrs on the Hobbs and was happy that I was once again able to take a shower and sleep on my own bed. I took a 6 hour nap and studied the rest of the night to only find out that we were able to postpone the test for Tuesday. So, with that being said, I should get back to studying my 121 Regulations (CAPT 501 Final). On another note, I love the CAPT 504 course too. The FMS system is awesome. I just wish that we were able to actually press some buttons to get familiar with …

Laundry Anyone?

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Well, after only having to go one day without a laundry washing machine, it was time to get a new one. Learning from two different resources and the fact that Maytag Legacy Series was a piece of junk, I decided that it would be beneficial to buy a brand new one. Needing a new transmission, knowing that it would break again because of the faulty design, and having a ridiculous cost of labor to replace, I found a good one at Best Buy.

Most of you know me and although I always want the best, money has really been an issue lately. Spending has been curbed and the ideas of the awesome front loading LG machines will have to wait unitl I start earning some cash. So, I went with this one. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077628669210&type=product. I was able to find an Open Box Buy (supposedly damaged cosmetically, but nothing that I didn't see) and they discou nted it to $330.99. I'm a maniac! I also had Matty P and JZ to help me regain my senses into practicality. Thanks guys. I was in the dilemma that it would be smarter to buy a better one that would last longer for renters in the future, but of course, its not always wise because you never know what may happen or whether or not they would take care of it the same way when you are present in the house.

Here's a picture of it. Moral of the story?! --> buy only Whirlpool, LG or Roeper (not familiar with the last one)

1st Weekend back...

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One of our recent graduates, William Wang, is moving back home to New York for a little bit and planned to drive home today (Saturday). So a bunch of us got together at Chi-Ling's for some good sushi dinner. We had about somewhere around 17 people there at one time. Just imagine how separate checks looked like. Food was good as always and the shots of sake kept us going. It took somewhere around 30 minutes to get the orders. It was ridiculous. But we had a good time at the restaurant. I think that we were the last ones there again. Here's a shot of the gang at Chi-Ling's. Nearing the end of the dinner, Matty P came up with a bet that if Matty E (Elliott) would put a teaspoon size chunk of wasabi in his mouth, he would give him $5. Peterson also chipped in $5 and some others threw in dollar bills to raise the stakes. After a little convincing...He did it! This is shot of right after the fact. You can see that he was just beginning to realize what he did.

What do you do when you come home to Daytona? You hit up Mai Tai's Bar and Grill. For everyone in San Diego, its a cheap shot at PB Bar and Grill without the huge outside and dance area bar. With that being said, it's really a tiny place with an outdoor patio. And babe, don't worry, there aren't that many girls there as you already know. Mai Tai's upgraded all their furniture and is trying really hard to step it up a bit. They have a live band that plays inside which creates a huge racket throughout the entire place. Sometimes I just want to bring ear plugs so I don't become deaf. But its okay. The music they play apparently is repeated over and over again each week. They're just a cover band really.

Last night was the first time that I actually found my limits in drinking. It is the first time that I have ever rid my body of the alcohol by throwing up. Of course, it was just sushi rice with liquid spewing from my mouth. Exciting stuff. I just couldn't stop either. It was just a constant stream of junk. Not fun really. I also came to the realization that I still don't like beer. That's maybe the honest reason why I just down my beers every time I get them. It's just so hard for me to drink. I prefer water or diet coke and lately, sweet tea seems to be working out really well. :-)

Another good shot of the gang.

It's coming!!!

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Well, being that tomorrow is Friday already, I can expect this month to go by fast with the ATP test actually happening within the next two weeks. Am I ready? Not yet...but I am definitely getting there. It actually isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's good stuff. I mean, there are some really tedious questions. Just long computations and such. Not fun, but hey, you gotta do what every pilot must do in at point in his/her life. Class has been really fun with Dan Barnes and Randy Hetz. Rick and Jim are two new Jet IPs that are hanging out with our class. I definitely feel like this is what I have been waiting for. At the end of the month, we begin out King Air Simulation and LOFTs. That will be the next step in getting use to faster approach speeds and everything else. I can't wait!!! Oh the excitement!!!

Make sure you check out trelijah. I updated it with a picture with me in 06, with a new hair style, and three stripes. I also have 241 hours to date. Only 89.1 of those are Multiengine though. Anyone with a King Air and MEI time that wants to help me out?

Drew Brees also had a successful surgery today but the recovery should be a little longer than suspected. He is ready though for his aggressive rehab he says. Also in other Charger news, Shawne Merriman was nomiated NFL Rookie of the Year. I can't wait to see what other draft picks will bring the defense next year. There are quite a few good picks out there to chose from.

So, speaking of football, did anyone not figure out that after the 2nd TD from Vince Young, that he probably was going to go for it on fourth? Come on guys!!! I mean, definitely it was an exciting game, but you can't win unless your defense contains a man like that, but then again, who can? Next questions is, who will be the first pick in the '06 Draft?