So I checked the FAA airmen database today and my status officially updated from student pilot to private pilot single engine land. Woo Hoo baby, I am a pilot!
This weeks weather looks pretty crappy. Probably decent enough VFR but I want to take the hubby for a ride on a nice day so he has a good first experience. Hopefully next week. Cross your fingers for good weather on Tuesday, because I am growing impatient.
So I haven't gotten to fly lately, so I thought I would entertain you with this video I found from the Day I was at Clow International, February 5, 2011. I flew in there on my first Cross Country as a private pilot, you can read that story here. I always give credit when I steal a video because then I feel like it isn't stolen anymore, thanks Skip Talbot, www.skip.cc
Since I am no longer a student pilot I thought it was time to change the name of the blog. Instead of "Getting a Private Pilots License" I have changed it to "My Aviators - A woman pilots journey as a general aviatrix". It's kind of long. I may need to work on that, suggestions are welcome.
Also, I got the final bill for my flying lessons a few weeks ago, I decided I had to bite the bullet and open it this week. Looks like I am grounded for a while while I rebuild the savings account. I am hoping to get up a couple times a month throughout the end of winter and spring. Then when summer comes I hope to have the money to do my taildragger training!! I was going to do it in the next couple of months, but I don't think it is feasible right now :(
I can't wait to get back in the air! Maybe next Friday :)
I finally got to take my first flight as a Private Pilot on Saturday February 5, 2011. I had a bridal shower in Naperville, IL so I figured if the weather was nice it would be a perfect chance to take a quick flight, get some cross country time and pilot in command time.
I took off about 11:30am after a quick pre-flight and visit from the fuel truck. I hadn't flown since my test (about 17 days) which is the longest I had gone without flying since I started training. So to shake a few cobwebs I took a trip around the pattern to make sure I still knew how to land. Good news, I did!
I departed the area to the east and headed for bolingbrook, IL, Clow International Airport. This was also my first chance to use my iPad with Foreflight. I had charted my course via paper sectional and in the foreflight program and came up with the same headings, and almost the exact same times and fuel burns which had me pretty impressed with both myself and the foreflight program. I planned to fly east to the Joliet VOR and head into Clow International via the 041 radial. That plan went flawlessly! I hit the VOR and turned toward clow and descended to avoid the Class Bravo airspace around O'Hare. I came in on runway 18, which is the smallest runway I have landed on to date. Yay! First flight was successful and I really enjoyed it despite being a bit anxious, which I think if I am ever not a bit anxious it might be time to give up flying :)
I went to the bridal shower, which was, well, a bridal shower. Then I headed back to the airport. I opened the door to the plane and my heart sank. I pulled the newest of newbie moves and left the master switch on, I could still hear the gyros running. I quickly flipped it off and hoped I had enough battery left to start the plane. I did a preflight and hopped in hoping it would start. Of course it didn't. So I had the nice guys at Bolingbrook jump it. Despite feeling stupid, no harm done and not the worst mistake I could have made.
After the jump I sat a couple minutes to make sure I was getting a good charge from the alternator and all was well. So I headed out.
I departed to the west, staying under Class Bravo airspace until I was a few miles to the west. I headed up to 4500feet and enjoyed the view. It was a bit hazy on the ground but the sunset on the way home was beautiful! It was truly a reminder why I love to fly. No where on the ground could you get the same effect as you do in the sky at sunset. My only regret is not having a decent camera with me to catch the moment.
I landed back in Davenport right about 6pm, my first night landing in a while. It was a good one and I happily taxied back to the ramp and gathered my stuff. All in all it was a successful flight and I learned a very valuable lesson. I am looking forward to the day where I don't end my post saying that, but I plan to learn forever, I just hope my lessons stop making me feel like a noob at some point.
Below is a picture my sis-in-law snapped before I headed home.
Also, I would like to note that next time I will just have them plug the plane in and charge it that way for about an hour. The jump isn't worth the hassle or potential problems. Just consider it another lesson learned.
So I have mentioned it before, but it is very apparent these past few weeks that living in the midwest can put a damper on flying activities. I have been trying to take my husband up for a ride since the day I got my license. Although we had a couple of decent days scattered in the past two weeks they weren't at times in which we could go. And then yesterday a nice blizzard dropped 16" of snow on our doorstep and closed most of the airports in the vicinity and they have yet to reopen.
I am anxiously watching the weather and hoping that Saturday stays clear. Although my husband won't be around to take a flight with me, I am hoping to take a cross country to Bolingbrook, IL for a bridal shower. It seems almost too perfect. The shower is only 4 miles from the airport. The airport is one I haven't been to and I want some practice on different and smaller runways. The weather is looking good. I am really crossing my fingers that I can make this happen. With all the airports closed I can't get a plane booked or any information on parking/landing fees though. Hopefully I can make some progress on this tomorrow.
