Monday, October 31, 2005
Burke Lakefront Flight
When my mom was in high school, her family had a foreign exchange student live with them. Her name is Sinni and she is from Finland. Well, she has been here in the States since the beginning of the semester. Yesterday was her and her daughter’s last day here, so we went for a quick plane ride. We left at 5:00pm and got up to Cleveland right at sunset. It was my first time to Burke Lakefront airport. I’ve gone there in flight sim, but it’s not quite the same. The buildings are so much closer to the airport than flight sim shows. Even crappy old Cleveland looks sweet at sunset at 500 feet. I thought they were going to get some pictures, but they apparently forgot. Oh well. I love flights like this because it reminds me why I’m putting so much time and effort into this profession. There’s nothing else in the world like it.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Flight Team results
Back in Spring Semester of 05, myself and the other flight team officers looked to each other and set a goal for our team. We decided that this year, we were going to do well enough at the Regional NIFA Safecon Competition that we would be invited to the national competition. The KSU flight team has not been to the national competition in 19 years. So, let me tell you that this was no small feat; to revamp the team, practice, learn, and keep up with everything else in our lives. A lot of you all know that I haven’t been around a lot for a while. This is why. October 9-16 was the Regional Competition at Western University in Battle Creek Michigan. It was one of the best expiriences of my life. It was cool to see all the other teams and planes and talk to them. It was also really cool to see our team come together from almost nothing and perform so well. Usually 3 teams from our region (about 7 colleges) make it to the national competition. This year they were only going to take the top two. Western Michigan always wins first. Ohio State University always wins second. The third place spot is always fought for. Last year we lost the third spot to Ohio University by 6 points out of hundreds. This year Ohio State University is hosting the National Competition, so it turns out that they go to nationals no matter what. This means that there was still a spot even with W.M. in 1st and OSU in 2nd. Well, this year we worked our asses off all semester and all week. It came down to the awards banquet Saturday night. Our hearts on the line as they announce each of the top 10 winners of each event. When it came down to it, the Kent State University Precision Flight Team….came in second place! We even beat the “unbeatable” Ohio State! That means that the only reason Ohio State will be at nationals is because they are hosting it! It’s so awesome! If you work hard enough for anything you can do it - ANYTHING!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Flight Team Regional Competition 1
Today was the first day of competition here at Western Michigan University. We practiced E6-B for months straight for this. KSU hasn't placed in E6-B in.....maybe forever....I think I did pretty well. Normally these tests are so difficult (35 Questions in 60 minutes), but this time it seemed so easy. I don't know if we did especially well, or if there will be a lot of people who scored very well at the top. Everyone except one person ended early. Won't find out results until Saturday. I just want a medal, and to help the team go to nationals. Such pressure...Still have Simulator, Navigation, and Landing Competitions until Friday.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Commercial 2 - Done!
I passed my Commercial 2 checkride on friday, which is good news although I would have liked to do better. There are always 2 parts to a checkride, the oral exam and the flying exam. I know, I know, everyone makes jokes at the oral exam. Anyways, the oral part was mostly a joke were we sat there reading some weird legal definitions from part 1 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The flying part was worse. I had never flown with, or even really talked to the instructor I was doing this with. I didn't understand a lot of what he was asking and he mumbled a lot. All that on top of my anxiety and bad decision making and you have one lousy checkride. Still managed to pass and I guess that's all that matters. I hate commercial manuevers. Now I'm flying the retractable landing gear Cessna 172's for Commercial 3 for about a month until my Commercial 3 checkride where I will become a commercial pilot and can be paid to fly.After that, on friday we went to see Serenity. It was just Rick and Alison and me. It was a really good movie, but they killed some characters I liked. I was hoping another tv network would pick it up, but I don't know if I want to see any more without them. He didn't even need to die. There was no point. But I guess there never is...
Friday, August 05, 2005
Instament
I flew for the first time today using my instrument rating without the foggles (foggles make it so you can only see the instruments and not outside). It was totally weird being in the clouds and you lose your balence with your inner ear and all that. I did well though and it was cool and I can’t wait to do it again! My hard work this summer has paid off somewhat then!