This is an interesting PIREP from Eastern Alabama:
PIREP 16:31Z 01/27/12
BHM UUA /OV VUZ090030/TM 1631/FL320/TP E190/TB SEV/RM ACFT ROLLED 12-15 DEG. ZTL
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Night Cross Country - Athens' Style! 1/24/2012
Today was my first night cross country to Athen's. Originally, it was suppose to happen tomorrow, but due to the possibility of rain, my flight instructor came in on his weekend so we could go up tonight. Beautiful night! Pretty much cloudless until we were about 25 miles coming to KRYY, and then I just saw some high cirrus clouds. Couldn't figure out which planet it was, but heading west, towards the Southwest was this bright star, it was beautiful! You can see a lot more stars up in the air, than on the ground at night. A lot more easier to see other aircraft too. Atlanta, and northern Atlanta is beautiful at night (wish I could say the same for the day, lol!) Who's ready to join me in a flight at night?
Coming out of KRYY we took off from runway 27, so about 300 feet from pattern altitude, we started to make our right turn to get on course and to get to our altitude of 3,500 feet. At first, it was difficult for me to find Gwinnett County Airport, but I finally spotted it. Overflew that (as planned.) Flew south of the Winder Airport; was able to turn on the runway lights via our radio, which is pretty cool. Made it to Athens with no problem. Landing was kind of fast, but the recovery from it was pretty good. We landed on Runway 9, and took off from runway 27. The air traffic controller sound so sleepy. I felt sorry for her. According to my flight instructor, most of his students have a problem landing for the first time at night, as they are wary of where the ground is (making sure they don't crash into the ground,) and do a high flare. He said besides the fast landing, it was overall impressive. Coming back we were at 4,500. Going and coming, smooth as silk up there, didn't feel a single bump. (I know this might sound weird, but turbulence, within reason, is kind of fun, but there's a limit of course.) Landing on 27 at KRYY was pretty much flawless. Flare was good, and smooth touchdown. Winds were very light.
So, what's next? Next Wednesday (weather permitting) is another night flight. This time, we are staying local. Per FAA regulations, you must get at least 10 night landings completed, well, I've gotten 2 down, and my night cross country completed. So, I have to do 8 more. The plan is for us to do 4 at Cartersville, and 4 at KRYY. After that, I have to do a cross country stage check with Hutch (who is our ground instructor,) to make sure I know how to do a flight plan (all students have to do this.) After that, will be my first solo cross country, which I think will probably be to Chattanooga.
Bookwork is coming along. I'm still having problems with the mathematics of it all. I will have to take my time, and go step-by-step/equation-by-equation to get it. Still planning for late-March or April to get my license. First trip: Myrtle Beach, SC. Anyone wanna join me?
Jet outside the gate to get into the airfield. N227LA - 1976 Gulfstream Stream II... has 22 seats, weight is over 20,000lbs. Two Rolls-Royce engines, horsepower: 1140 (Turbo-jet.)
Notice the military helicopter in the distance, he took off while we were preflighting our plane at 6:45PM.
Coming out of KRYY we took off from runway 27, so about 300 feet from pattern altitude, we started to make our right turn to get on course and to get to our altitude of 3,500 feet. At first, it was difficult for me to find Gwinnett County Airport, but I finally spotted it. Overflew that (as planned.) Flew south of the Winder Airport; was able to turn on the runway lights via our radio, which is pretty cool. Made it to Athens with no problem. Landing was kind of fast, but the recovery from it was pretty good. We landed on Runway 9, and took off from runway 27. The air traffic controller sound so sleepy. I felt sorry for her. According to my flight instructor, most of his students have a problem landing for the first time at night, as they are wary of where the ground is (making sure they don't crash into the ground,) and do a high flare. He said besides the fast landing, it was overall impressive. Coming back we were at 4,500. Going and coming, smooth as silk up there, didn't feel a single bump. (I know this might sound weird, but turbulence, within reason, is kind of fun, but there's a limit of course.) Landing on 27 at KRYY was pretty much flawless. Flare was good, and smooth touchdown. Winds were very light.
So, what's next? Next Wednesday (weather permitting) is another night flight. This time, we are staying local. Per FAA regulations, you must get at least 10 night landings completed, well, I've gotten 2 down, and my night cross country completed. So, I have to do 8 more. The plan is for us to do 4 at Cartersville, and 4 at KRYY. After that, I have to do a cross country stage check with Hutch (who is our ground instructor,) to make sure I know how to do a flight plan (all students have to do this.) After that, will be my first solo cross country, which I think will probably be to Chattanooga.
Bookwork is coming along. I'm still having problems with the mathematics of it all. I will have to take my time, and go step-by-step/equation-by-equation to get it. Still planning for late-March or April to get my license. First trip: Myrtle Beach, SC. Anyone wanna join me?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Got Grounded Due To Weather
Well, I was really hoping to go play in the land of the birdies today, but weather has grounded that idea.
As of 1650/1655Z
KRYY - Temp 54; Dew Point 52; Winds ESE @ 12 Gusting to 17; Visibility 2 miles; ceiling 500AGL
KMGE - Temp 54; Dew Point 53; Winds E @ 12 Gusting to 17; Visibility 10 miles; ceiling 300AGL.
As of 1748/1755Z
KRYY - Temp 54; Dew Point 50; Winds ESE @ 15 Gusting to 21; Visibility 2 miles; ceiling 500AGL
KMGE - Temp 53; Dew Point 53; Winds E @ 15 Gusting to 21; Visibility 6 miles; ceiling 300AGL.
So, I'll be staying on the ground today. Gives me more time to study I guess... :-(
Next flight will be on Tuesday, staying in the area, and next flight lesson is on Wednesday. We will see what happens.
As of 1650/1655Z
KRYY - Temp 54; Dew Point 52; Winds ESE @ 12 Gusting to 17; Visibility 2 miles; ceiling 500AGL
KMGE - Temp 54; Dew Point 53; Winds E @ 12 Gusting to 17; Visibility 10 miles; ceiling 300AGL.
As of 1748/1755Z
KRYY - Temp 54; Dew Point 50; Winds ESE @ 15 Gusting to 21; Visibility 2 miles; ceiling 500AGL
KMGE - Temp 53; Dew Point 53; Winds E @ 15 Gusting to 21; Visibility 6 miles; ceiling 300AGL.
So, I'll be staying on the ground today. Gives me more time to study I guess... :-(
Next flight will be on Tuesday, staying in the area, and next flight lesson is on Wednesday. We will see what happens.
Friday, January 20, 2012
To Athens and Back - 1/19/2012
We went to Athens, GA yesterday in good ol' 707PD, but I marked a first yesterday, as it was the first time I had a passenger (besides the instructor) with me... my buddy Adam. God bless his soul, he is a nervous flier, but he got up the nerves and flew with me to Athens. Going there, we were cruising at around 3,500 feet (non-autopilot.) It was a bit choppy, but not the worst chop I've been through. The Flight Service Station was having major issues yesterday, and apparently they were going old school when we called to get our Weather Briefing, and took one hell of a long time to get them on the radio to open up our flight plan. We flew out of KRYY on Runway 9, headed East, south of Roswell, just north of KPDK, right over Gwinnett's airport, south of Barrow County airport, and landed on Runway 27 in Athens. We decided to take a quick break at the Athen's FBO, Athen's Flight Center. The lineman was very nice, and so was the young lady at the front desk. Usually on cross-countries we don't make a stop at the FBO, but I'm glad we did this time. For some reason, my back was getting very tense, so I need to get out anyways. My instructor informed me, that this was the busiest that he's ever seen Athens. A bit later we took off from Athens Runway 27 and went to a cruise altitude of 4,500. Much smoother ride at that altitude, and I decided to engage the autopilot for a bit. We did some autopilot work all the way till we got about a mile from runway 27. Atlanta Center was one of the busiest that I've heard it in awhile, no issues though, but we had to pay extra close attention while listening for our call sign. We had a nice crosswind landing, and a smooth touchdown. Pretty nice in my opinion.
We saw a Mitsubishi MU-2 at KRYY, that thing is so freaking cute! It was on the South Ramp.
Looks like some nasty weather will be moving in the next several days. Rain moving in this afternoon, and a chance of rain all the way up until Monday night. A chance of storms tonight, and a better chance of severe thunderstorms tomorrow. I have some solo work on Sunday (707PD, I believe) but with the rain chances, I might just can it, and do some extra studying. The written test is getting much closer, but even though I've been studying and using practice test, I'm still not happy yet with my score. Right now, we do seem to be on track for taking the test in March or April (I'm hoping March.) I'd love to start the second phase of everything before June.
There is a concern that I'm having though... I'm wanting to go commercial with my pilot's license. The thing is, you need to build up hours. I've been reading post, that people say the best way to do this is via CFI. Well, I don't think I would be a good teacher, so this brings up a concern on what would be the best way to get my hours built up. I'm wouldn't say no to doing "regional" cargo flights, to build up the hours at first.
We saw a Mitsubishi MU-2 at KRYY, that thing is so freaking cute! It was on the South Ramp.
Looks like some nasty weather will be moving in the next several days. Rain moving in this afternoon, and a chance of rain all the way up until Monday night. A chance of storms tonight, and a better chance of severe thunderstorms tomorrow. I have some solo work on Sunday (707PD, I believe) but with the rain chances, I might just can it, and do some extra studying. The written test is getting much closer, but even though I've been studying and using practice test, I'm still not happy yet with my score. Right now, we do seem to be on track for taking the test in March or April (I'm hoping March.) I'd love to start the second phase of everything before June.
There is a concern that I'm having though... I'm wanting to go commercial with my pilot's license. The thing is, you need to build up hours. I've been reading post, that people say the best way to do this is via CFI. Well, I don't think I would be a good teacher, so this brings up a concern on what would be the best way to get my hours built up. I'm wouldn't say no to doing "regional" cargo flights, to build up the hours at first.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Skycrane @ Cartersville
Skycrane N4037S taken at Cartersville, GA Airport on 12/10/2011.
Instructor took this photo.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Interesting METAR
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METAR KPUJ 03:15Z 01/18/12
KPUJ 180315Z AUTO 33017G25KT 4SM RA BKN004
BKN012 OVC029 A2998 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE AND W
----------------------------------------
METAR KVPC 03:21Z 01/18/12
KVPC 180321Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW015
OVC033 12/10 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW RAE04 P0000
----------------------------------------
METAR KMGE 03:25Z 01/18/12
KMGE 180325Z AUTO 20007KT 10SM BKN008
OVC025 15/15 A2998 RMK AO2 RAE0323DZB0323E0325
SLP150 $
----------------------------------------
METAR KFTY 03:21Z 01/18/12
KFTY 180321Z 21007KT 5SM RA BR SCT009
BKN047 OVC085 16/14 A2999 RMK AO2 TS P0007
----------------------------------------
METAR KATL 03:26Z 01/18/12
KATL 180326Z 23005KT 2 1/2SM +TSRA BR
SCT008 BKN020CB OVC055 15/14 A3001 RMK AO2 TSB12
OCNL LTGIC W TS W MOV E P0017
METAR KPUJ 03:15Z 01/18/12
KPUJ 180315Z AUTO 33017G25KT 4SM RA BKN004
BKN012 OVC029 A2998 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE AND W
----------------------------------------
METAR KVPC 03:21Z 01/18/12
KVPC 180321Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW015
OVC033 12/10 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW RAE04 P0000
----------------------------------------
METAR KMGE 03:25Z 01/18/12
KMGE 180325Z AUTO 20007KT 10SM BKN008
OVC025 15/15 A2998 RMK AO2 RAE0323DZB0323E0325
SLP150 $
----------------------------------------
METAR KFTY 03:21Z 01/18/12
KFTY 180321Z 21007KT 5SM RA BR SCT009
BKN047 OVC085 16/14 A2999 RMK AO2 TS P0007
----------------------------------------
METAR KATL 03:26Z 01/18/12
KATL 180326Z 23005KT 2 1/2SM +TSRA BR
SCT008 BKN020CB OVC055 15/14 A3001 RMK AO2 TSB12
OCNL LTGIC W TS W MOV E P0017
Planning for Thursday...
On Thursday, January 19, 2012, I'll be taking my first passenger up into the bird's playing field with me. My buddy Adam will be joining my instructor and I on a cross-country trip to Athens, GA. Even though I have satisfied all flying hours needed for Cross-Country Daytime Travel, I wanted to do one more, so Adam could come along. He's a nervous flier, so I hope that with me piloting he will feel more comfortable. We will be using 707PD for our trip. Will be using 707PD for all Cross-Countries as it seems it likes it more. Next Wednesday my flight instructor and I are planning a Cross-Country trip to Athens again, but this will be a night flight. Very first night flight, excited about it.
I've already gotten our route mapped out for Thursday, and am going to finish the Weights and Balance. Based off early estimates, it looks as if we will be just under the max weight, so we will probably take a tad bit less fuel... still plenty to get to Athens and back. I've been keeping an eye on the winds, and early indications are showing that we will have winds from the West to Southwest. Speeds around 5-10 with gust up to 15. At the higher levels, can expect winds at around 20 or so. Will have a nice tailwind going there, but coming back there is a possibility of some chop. Will focus on this more as we get closer.
Very excited to be taking my first passenger up...
I've already gotten our route mapped out for Thursday, and am going to finish the Weights and Balance. Based off early estimates, it looks as if we will be just under the max weight, so we will probably take a tad bit less fuel... still plenty to get to Athens and back. I've been keeping an eye on the winds, and early indications are showing that we will have winds from the West to Southwest. Speeds around 5-10 with gust up to 15. At the higher levels, can expect winds at around 20 or so. Will have a nice tailwind going there, but coming back there is a possibility of some chop. Will focus on this more as we get closer.
Very excited to be taking my first passenger up...
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