Who Here's A Pilot?
 

Just wondering who the other fellow aviators here on MT. I'm currently going to school to be a professional pilot. I got my private checkride coming up this Saturday and am transitioning into instrument at the first of the year.

Got my PPL years ago just for fun, never bothered with instrument or multi. Haven't been up in over a decade, though. Not even sure where my logbook is.

Where are you attending?

I'm at Middle Tennessee State. Haha, you should probably find your logbook man. My uncle lost his logbook when he moved, over 5,000 hrs... gone. I couldn't stop flying if I tried. That and my Miata are my only forms of stress relief up here.

Private Pilot here. 450 hrs. mainly in Piper Cherokee and Cessna 172. 15 hours instrument training then stopped. Too costly and will not utilize it enough to justify it. Also very unsafe IMO if you do not use it frequently. Possibly doing some tailwheel training soon.
Have done quite a bit of cross country flights and really enjoyed the challenge of learning to fly. Coolest flight was with a friend of mine who owns an FBO here in Jersey. We flew to Kansas to pick up a new 172 from the factory, and had a tour while we were there and then flew the plane back to Jersey. Second favorite was going to First Flight(Kitty Hawk)with my 2 boys, great trip.

My buddy has his, I plan on getting my private license after I graduate. Any advice?

200 hours, just finished my Multi IFR Commercial licence. Won't lie after not flying for the last month or so I've been going through withdrawl. Can't wait to find a job and start flying again.

Yeah, the one that really kills me is about 7 years ago I was doing a job down at the Seminole reservation in Florida, and their chief pilot (who is also an instructor) took me up for a spin in their Gulfstream III and let me fly it left-seat. I'd have loved to have had him sign my log for that one.

You'll really enjoy tailwheel, that's what I started out in. They just have more of a "feel" to em. I'm going to finish my tailwheel endorsement and knock out my high performance and complex endorsements as soon as I get my license. My buddy has a new PA-46 Meridian that I can log some time in as soon as I get those. I'm soo looing forward to some turbine time. I've got time in about 6 different aircraft, but most of it is in a Diamond DA-40 G1000.

I personally, would opt for a part 141 school instead of a part 61. I've done both and it seems, at least in my case, that a good deal of part 61 instructors just want to build time in order to get a commercial job. I've learned so much more when I started a part 141 school. Plus, it's profiency based, not hourly.

You going through a 141 school?

I'm jelly. How did that feel compared to a single engine prop? I've never been in a jet smaller than a MD-80. We do have a brand new CRJ-200 sim here at school that I can't wait to get ahold of.

141 school?

Live in Canada did it through a flying college program.

In normal flight, it was pretty much what you'd expect; stable as hell, very comfy, and yet surprisingly responsive. It was the only "large" airplane I've ever flown, so I can't compare it to much, but I expected it to feel a lot bigger than it did.

Although he let me fly the approach, the chief had the controls for takeoff and landing. I think he was trying to impress me on climbout, because all I can say is that compared to the ole' 172, that sucker climbed like it had a JATO pack strapped to it.



FYI, in the US, the FAA has two general classifications for flight training programs, which are defined in part 61 and part 141 of title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. They vary with hours required, structure of classes, etc. As a broad simplification, part 141 schools are more rigidly structured and "collegiate" in nature, while part 61 schools are more your local "learn to fly" program at the FBO. So, Embry-Riddle University, for instance, is a part 141 school.

I started to train, but got involved with too many other things and never fully completed my training. Flying solo as a student is as far as I have gone so far. Would love to get back into it someday.

I just broke out the pilot log, and I have logged 30 hours.

Save enough so you can fly as much as possible during the first 30 or so hours of training. It is much more difficult IMO to spread it out over a long period of time. Training is a lot of fun once you start to "get it".

Hi guys

Current 737NG Captain with Virgin Australia based in Brisbane.

Have a few hours and even did a US ATP at Riverside In 2001 and added the 737 to it in 2003 in Seattle at Boeing

Keep the faith it will be the best career choice you ever make :)

More than happy to offer advice if asked, just hate sounding like a know it all

Justin

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...232_4641_n.jpg

Sorry man, but I gotta do this.
http://cdn.costumesupercenter.com/cs...x432/28339.jpg

Reality sux. Long white socks and shorts. Only in the tropics :)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...239_7159_n.jpg

That is without a doubt the smallest 737 I have ever seen. Never even realized they made a turboprop version.

I think I have about 300 hours. Have owned three planes - Grumman AA1, Mooney M20A and Luscombe 8A. I'm out of them now but will get back in. My neighbor is an A&P, just put in a heated 50x70 hanger and is putting in a grass strip. When done we are splitting a plane. So, I have my own strip, hanger and mechanic 1/4 mile away and only pay half of the costs.

Very cool! I'm shooting for the airlines after I graduate. Most likely I'll be headed overseas, apparently the need for pilots in the middle-east and China is pretty strong. I can't wait till I actually land a paying gig.

Nice, very nice! You have any idea of a particular plane you're after yet?

Oh, BTW, my checkride is in 8 hrs. My nerves are shot :noes:

You will be fine. It was the most nervous I have ever been as an adult. Any FAA examiner worth a damn will understand this and try to help you through it.
Good luck and be safe! Keep us posted.