tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87997320515456471792011-09-21T08:54:30.609-06:00Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-87070467239269497772008-09-16T00:00:00.000-06:002008-09-18T20:16:42.187-06:00

Weather: KBJC 131349Z 23004KT 60SM SKC 15/03 A3002The airport in Alamosa, CO possessed two rewards for me, that lifted it from a small town airport no different from any other, to something I actually wanted. The first reward was nothing different from any other airport, but just so happened manifest itself at Alamosa: completing my first long cross-country flight after getting my pilots license.

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-85069435955649874022008-07-03T00:00:00.003-06:002008-07-03T19:06:31.879-06:00

Weather: KBJC 281547Z VRB03KT 20SM BKN030 OVC039 18/08 A3037Not that I was taking note, but on Saturday at 12.04 pm I became a private pilot. This happened to be the exact time I shut down the engine and turned off the master switch in the plane. My DPE, Bev Cameron said she never tells a student they passed until both of those two tasks have been completed. There has only been one time I

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-75675593268513550912008-06-25T00:00:00.001-06:002008-06-25T15:43:12.714-06:00

Weather: KBJC 251551Z 00000KT 50SM SCT070 27/03 A3016The stage 3 flight went by without too many nerves and with even less mistakes. As suspected, my shortfield landings caused the greatest problems of anything. The flight was as expected as far as what was being tested. I started with a shortfield takeoff, in 9kt gusting to 20kt crosswinds and got up to altitude for an otherwise smooth ride.

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-17527537534404464422008-06-22T00:00:00.002-06:002008-06-22T22:27:46.970-06:00

Weather: KBJC 201848Z 02007KT 12SM SCT080CB 24/11 A3028Bout that time eh chaps? Right-o!It's been quite a while since I last wrote. Progress was slow and flying not too often after my long cross-country flight. Work and life seemed to be getting in the way of flying and life. Since May I have been consistently flying again, and everything has come back now. I spent a while in April getting

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-45270509727539306272008-03-14T00:00:00.002-06:002008-03-14T14:59:10.776-06:00

Weather: KBJC 231650Z 35003KT 25SM FEW070 SCT100 BKN200 07/M06 A2983Flying alone still carries a sort of magical charm that is so difficult to describe. The feeling of being able to fly yourself places gives you a feeling of freedom that is very difficult to match. The restriction of 5 hours of usable fuel, and the even tighter cost of that fuel, is the only thing that keeps me in check. As I

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-36116134388150785822008-02-12T00:00:00.001-07:002008-02-14T16:16:36.679-07:00

Weather: KBJC 101448Z 00000KT 80SM FEW000 FEW060 BKN200 04/M07 A3018 RMK FEW0000 HZMy instructor is gone. I've know this for a few weeks now, but am just getting around to relaying this. She accepted a new job in Florida as a flight instructor. Teaching never really picked up for her out in Boulder and she was working another part time job, as the flight instructing wasn't really full time.

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-34249201388454964702008-01-27T00:00:00.000-07:002008-01-29T09:00:58.473-07:00

Weather: KBJC 271854Z 09008KT 50SM FEW060 SCT120 SCT200 17/M14 A2983Winter has presented quite a few problems when it comes to flying. Snow, clouds, frost, and worse yet, wind. In the past month and a half, I think I am about 4:1, flights scheduled to flights actually flown. Winds contribute to most flights missed, but snow on the runway has caused a few problems as well, since they don't seem

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-74318218942976408052007-11-26T00:00:00.000-07:002007-11-28T15:26:55.060-07:00

Weather: KBJC 242147Z 18008KT 60SM SKC 07/M13 A2997There is a special joy you get when flying someone around. It may be the fun in sharing this amazing experience of flying. It may be the fun in exhibiting your newfound piloting skill. Whatever it is, it was great to get to take my parents up for a flight. They are the first family/friends I have had a chance to take in the sky. They came

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-75581973566373619902007-11-16T00:00:00.000-07:002007-11-21T09:49:49.535-07:00

Weather: KBJC 152045Z VRB03KT 40SM SCT120 BKN200 14/M08 A3005The feeling of flying with just me in the plane has yet to get old. Not even close. At certain moments during the flight I remember it's just me up there and get a quick swell of excitement. It is additionally satisfying to think for a second that you are the only one in the plane, have a brief moment of concern thinking that you

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-68999535033665327312007-11-14T00:00:00.000-07:002007-11-15T13:26:03.839-07:00

Weather: KBJC 151947Z 00000KT 60SM FEW150 BKN220 12/M08 A3007Any nervousness that was present the first time I soloed, is completely gone now. I have two scheduled solos before beginning my cross-country work. The first is to accomplish two things, practicing flying by myself and getting in the required three solo takeoff and landings at a tower controlled airport. Before getting a private

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-11705443398146431612007-11-08T17:46:00.001-07:002007-11-08T17:46:38.570-07:00

Weather: KBJC 082346Z 28012KT 60SM FEW080 FEW200 18/M12 A3008My last flight was to review navigation strategies as I prepare for some cross country flights. Temporarily forgetting how early the sun sets now that we are back on Standard time, I scheduled the flight for late afternoon, which is now early evening. When I took off, the sun had already dipped behind the mountains. Flying out of

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-78545798271871863022007-10-30T16:34:00.000-06:002007-10-30T16:34:40.104-06:00

Weather: KBJC 302153Z 27018G27KT 60SM SCT080 SCT150 23/M07 A2994I'm going to try flying out of the Airport in Boulder, CO (BDU) for a while. My flight school just opened a new FBO there and they operate one of the older 172s out of there so it's perfect for me. It is nearly the same distance from my house to the airport, but the distance that matters more is the distance from the airplane

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-16972900145575677542007-10-29T16:25:00.000-06:002007-10-29T16:25:19.268-06:00

Weather: KBJC 282148Z 12004KT 15SM FEW200 22/M03 A3040So my lack of recent posts is only an indication that I haven't been flying recently. I have made two flights since my last post. One more practice flight to get ready for my Stage 1 check and then finally the stage check.The weather hasn't been conducive to flying, as anyone on the front range in Colorado will have noticed. The winds have

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-57594094464434067472007-10-17T12:28:00.000-06:002007-10-17T12:28:55.349-06:00

Weather: KBJC 171746Z 28020G27KT 30SM OVC070 15/M01 A2952I’m in the process of flying and studying to pass my stage one check. I can do the maneuvers and I know most of the knowledge, so as long as I don’t make any stupid mistakes, I should be fine. I have one more practice flight before setting up my stage check. That flight is scheduled for tonight but the weather doesn’t look like it’s

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-85879706070231708992007-10-09T10:17:00.001-06:002007-10-09T10:17:00.711-06:00

Weather: KBJC 051255Z 25004KT 60SM FEW080 SCT120 12/03 A2983This is going to be very hard to describe to you, but I have completed my first solo flight. Amazing and incredible are two words that quickly come to mind. It was just such a fantastic feeling to be alone in the airplane, flying by yourself.I scheduled the plane from 6.30 am to 8.30 for another morning flight. The weather was

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-8586320411775705772007-10-04T09:54:00.000-06:002007-10-04T09:54:22.428-06:00

Weather: KBJC 041249Z 26005KT 75SM SKC 12/M04 A2993So I finally got the sign-off for flying my solo. I was scheduled for a morning flight at 7 am for my check ride. This is usually a good sign for calm winds and clear skies, but as we get further away from the summer, this isn't the case. This morning, the skies were beautifully clear, but the wind was up at 6.30 already. I was nervous, yet

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-26103512330842089282007-09-27T16:54:00.000-06:002007-09-27T16:54:49.005-06:00

Weather: KBJC 272045Z 09007KT 50SM FEW080 23/M03 A3023When people say that, how long do they mean? Today I was scheduled for my pre-solo. It was at 4 pm. It's now 4.50 pm. You're thinking I should be in the air flying right now and you're right. The plane I was scheduled in today, 5222D is overdue for some engine oil additive and because it doesn't have it, is non-complaint with some FAA

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-68555391911907736012007-09-19T17:05:00.000-06:002007-09-19T17:05:18.130-06:00

Weather: KBJC 182250Z 00000KT 30SM SCT070 25/M04 A3004So this is just making me tired now. Another pre-solo down (kind of) and no closer to any a completion. Keep in mind I have really only flown in a slight crosswind once. Not that I haven’t been trying to schedule a flight when I would get one, but it just hasn’t worked out yet. I was scheduled again for yesterday at 5. Check the weather,

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-78423700782618333812007-09-18T14:40:00.000-06:002007-09-18T14:40:14.065-06:00

Weather: KBJC 172316Z 26014G20 60SM BKN060 BKN110 22/10 A2992Basically the weather line above just says "no flying for Pete." If you calculate out the crosswind component for runway 29R/L, you get about a 7 KTS crosswind. 5 KTS is the most I can fly in. So no flight last night. I got a call from the chief flight instructor on my way to the airport. We rescheduled for today at 5 again. The

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-53337635291245692242007-09-17T12:19:00.000-06:002007-09-17T12:19:17.741-06:00

Weather: KBJC 171654Z VRB05KT 15SM FEW030 BKN070 BKN100 15/12 A3000So I don’t know if this is a sign of anything other than an awesome cake, but here it is. This cake is amazing. It even has the tail number of the plane I usually fly. As a huge fan of most everything airplanes, this is great. A coworker made this for me. She is notorious for baking a lot. Recently there has been cookies or

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-31557378110678090292007-09-17T11:51:00.001-06:002007-09-17T11:51:51.154-06:00

Weather: KBJC 171654Z VRB05KT 15SM FEW030 BKN070 BKN100 15/12 A3000Have I mentioned that I’ve been doing a lot of landings lately? Yeah. I like landings. I actually like just flying the pattern. I’m flying, practicing, having fun. It’s good. I still want to progress though. So that brings me to last Friday. I’ve got a pre-solo scheduled for 5pm. I’ve also got a practice flight scheduled

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-1109468551343945672007-09-11T12:08:00.000-06:002007-09-11T12:08:12.214-06:00

Weather: KBJC 102245Z 21008KT 12SM SCT030 16/08 A3037So I’ve been slacking lately. I haven’t been writing much (obviously), I haven’t been flying as much (a few busy weekends), and I have been a bit discouraged. So I’ll step back for a minute and take it from the top. This is going to be a long one so you may want to refill that coffee cup now. I’ll wait for you… Ok?Landings, landings,

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-59710116289404534542007-08-21T16:33:00.003-06:002007-08-21T16:33:53.568-06:00

Weather: KBJC 211150Z 00000KT 20SM SKC 21/03 A3008Today was a day to practice pattern work, takeoffs and landings, and get ready for my solo flight. Right now I am really good from the parking spot, to the ramp, to takeoff, through final (and all my maneuvers in between). That takes me to about the flare. I am even getting good at reading when to flare. But at this point, I flare a bit too

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-6850446439141359352007-08-20T14:30:00.001-06:002007-08-20T14:30:43.756-06:00

While drinking (responsibly) this weekend, I came across a wonderfully inspirational item. I was sipping on the delicious Full Sail - LTD 02 beer. After removing the bottle cap, on the underside of the cap, I noticed that “LIVE THE DREAM” was printed. Such a prodding inspirational directive while sipping on a delicious brew is quite wonderful in and of itself, however it got me to thinking for

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-33630557599272145452007-08-15T14:34:00.000-06:002007-08-15T14:34:53.332-06:00

Weather: KDEN 141153Z 22003KT 10SM FEW090 BKN140 BKN200 22/11 A3016Nothing of great interest after today’s lesson. More practice and I’m definitely seeing improvement in my flying. Wait, there is one thing. Definitely the greatest flying day I’ve yet had.Today, I landed. All by myself. Let me tell you about it.After practicing go-arounds and pattern work up at LMO (Longmont’s Airport), I was

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-28825086239690000902007-08-15T11:30:00.001-06:002007-08-15T11:30:55.592-06:00

Weather: KBJC 121350Z 32006KT 60SM SCT080 23/09 A3029Fear is a necessity. Without a bit of fear every now and again, I seem to develop an unhealthy hubris; a comfort that takes away my concentration. I relax my guard too much. Due diligence takes a back seat in situations where it should always stay in the forefront. I have not yet lost my fear while flying, however I did plan on writing a

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-21405747821571701982007-08-09T11:04:00.001-06:002007-08-09T11:04:22.048-06:00

Weather: KBJC 091258Z 00000KT 60SM BKN120 19/08 A3018Wow! I still can’t believe I’m actually learning how to fly. Wait. I can fly already. I just can’t really fly well… or land. Anyhow, learning how to fly well. Things are great. There is little better way to remedy waking up at 5 am, than going flying at 6 am. I can’t think of a better way to start my morning. I can ride this high

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-69377719107572088412007-08-07T16:32:00.002-06:002007-08-07T16:32:28.798-06:00

Weather: KBJC 071155Z 33010KT 25SM SCT150 BKN250 19/13 A3002Another beautiful day in the air. The flight started off wonderfully as I had full control of the plane from it’s parking spot at the school to until we were cruising. As this was my first unassisted take-off, it felt pretty good. It’s nice to know you can fly a plane all by yourself if you had to, (we’ll get to that landing part

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-5223065337097215432007-08-06T11:38:00.001-06:002007-08-06T11:38:30.443-06:00

Weather: 021053Z 16005KT 10SM FEW040 SCT090 BKN120 16/13 Today’s lesson was much better than the first. The flying is still great. The feeling of flying is so different than anything else, and when you get to fly from the front seat, it’s really amazing. Flying commercially, looking out the side window of an airplane is enjoyable to me, but sitting in the front seat, watching ground

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799732051545647179.post-17939018351276194922007-08-06T11:38:00.000-06:002007-08-06T11:38:10.028-06:00

Weather:KBJC 311150Z 36006KT 15SM FEW150 18/10As I expected, last nights sleep was bad. Constant thoughts of everything flying kept me in a very restless sleep all night. It’s difficult to just relax and sleep when your mind is trying to focus on multiple things at the same time.I took a discovery flight 6 months ago and it was an amazing experience. Just flying for the joy and entertainment

Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726845429967895171noreply@blogger.com0