Today my student and I got to fly--it was BEAUTIFUL! Light winds, blue sky, and an absolutely perfect day!
I am always humored by people's responses to me being so young, female, and an instructor. So, I just try to lay low and stay out of trouble : ) even though it is my middle name : ) I met some of the other instructors at work today and am feeling more like one of the gang, even though it is only week 1.
Tomorrow I get to fly 2 times!!! It's nice having time off...and it's weird not doing like 40 million things. I suppose it's good to kick back a bit and slow down. Tonight I even dusted off my sewing machine and worked on a long awaited project. Amazing how a little down time allows us to do the things we forgot that we loved to do...now only if the weather would stay good...and temperature rise a few more degrees, I could break in those running shoes again...but I suppose I should be thankful for the beautiful day we had, and look forward to the good weather this spring.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Waitin on the Weather
Update via last week since Tuesday...
Friday finally came...and I had been waiting to see if the snow was going to pass or if it was going to snow me into Salina. My luck...it teased me. The snow didn't come and I awoke around 5 am...only to wait until 10:30 am to prepare to depart Salina for Wichita. As patient as I am --AHEM-not-- I twiddled my thumbs, drank lots of coffee, and attempted not to float away while the sky went from dreary gray to FANTASTIC blue, clear skies.
I watched the weather in Wichita and Hutchinson all morning, waiting for a break...and finally, it came. Another instructor and I headed off for Wichita, only to get there and shoot an instrument approach in--I hadn't done an approach in the Baron in at least a year! What good practice, right?!
Well, long story short, by the time the examiner and I completed the preliminary paperwork and discussion, the skies had mainly cleared off and we were off. I completely rocked the maneuvers that I had botched just a few days earlier. My landing was flawless and I have to say, I feel I definitely earned this Multi Instructor rating.
So, after my successful pass, we headed back to Salina and I said my farewells to the flight department and offices on campus. I have officially quit. Wow...weird feeling...but...not for long. Tomorrow I start a new job here in the KC area...back on my feet instructing.
Chris is headed off to the west coast again...I think he likes his job because he gets to eat seafood on a regular basis...but who knows--maybe I'll get to tag along one of these days to enjoy the 70 degree sunshine he's headed off to.
Friday finally came...and I had been waiting to see if the snow was going to pass or if it was going to snow me into Salina. My luck...it teased me. The snow didn't come and I awoke around 5 am...only to wait until 10:30 am to prepare to depart Salina for Wichita. As patient as I am --AHEM-not-- I twiddled my thumbs, drank lots of coffee, and attempted not to float away while the sky went from dreary gray to FANTASTIC blue, clear skies.
I watched the weather in Wichita and Hutchinson all morning, waiting for a break...and finally, it came. Another instructor and I headed off for Wichita, only to get there and shoot an instrument approach in--I hadn't done an approach in the Baron in at least a year! What good practice, right?!
Well, long story short, by the time the examiner and I completed the preliminary paperwork and discussion, the skies had mainly cleared off and we were off. I completely rocked the maneuvers that I had botched just a few days earlier. My landing was flawless and I have to say, I feel I definitely earned this Multi Instructor rating.
So, after my successful pass, we headed back to Salina and I said my farewells to the flight department and offices on campus. I have officially quit. Wow...weird feeling...but...not for long. Tomorrow I start a new job here in the KC area...back on my feet instructing.
Chris is headed off to the west coast again...I think he likes his job because he gets to eat seafood on a regular basis...but who knows--maybe I'll get to tag along one of these days to enjoy the 70 degree sunshine he's headed off to.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Beautiful Day 2 Learn
I awoke early this morning for my MEI (multi engine instructor) check ride. I went to school, completed the required paperwork, prepared the airplane and flew to Wichita with my instructor. We got there in plenty of time and I was patiently waiting for my examiner to drill me from head to toe with questions that I may or may not know the answer to.
The time came, and they stole me away from the deafening silence of the lobby. After taking me through the oral portion of the examination, we headed outside for the flight. We loaded up and were on our way. Takeoff: beautiful—right on up and away to the practice area—altitude was perfect! Bring it on…I think. We began some maneuvers and it was going smoothly…until…yup…I said something that I thought was correct about a specific descent/procedure and nope…in an instant…I was insanely confused about what I had done wrong (re-thinking and re-thinking it). So that was it. Snap. Done. So I had officially failed my first check ride.
I am given the opportunity to continue and complete as much as I can, so I do. We continue on to another maneuver and I was still doing ok-but on the recovery, I let the airplane fly me instead of me fly the airplane and I lost too much altitude and got out of the standards required for the maneuver. Of all things to mess up on, this specific maneuver was the last one that I was worried about! I had done this maneuver perfectly and smoothly over the past week in practice…and I guess I must have still been a bit shaken up and just didn’t get it done right today. We finished up everything except my last landing-which we will complete when I go back on Thursday morning. I appreciated this, as they saved me some money in not doing the extra pattern and landing.
Overall, I am disappointed that I failed in the specified areas—but in the end, it will make me a better pilot. How does that phrase go? You learn more when you fail than if you had done everything right.—or something like that? No, I haven’t forgotten how to fly, but I just didn’t do it right or well enough today. Yes, I am disappointed that I’m not all done—but am I ever really done? There will always be another flight, another landing, and other student, another day. So, I take it in stride, learned my lessons and will wake up with a new day ahead of me tomorrow.
The time came, and they stole me away from the deafening silence of the lobby. After taking me through the oral portion of the examination, we headed outside for the flight. We loaded up and were on our way. Takeoff: beautiful—right on up and away to the practice area—altitude was perfect! Bring it on…I think. We began some maneuvers and it was going smoothly…until…yup…I said something that I thought was correct about a specific descent/procedure and nope…in an instant…I was insanely confused about what I had done wrong (re-thinking and re-thinking it). So that was it. Snap. Done. So I had officially failed my first check ride.
I am given the opportunity to continue and complete as much as I can, so I do. We continue on to another maneuver and I was still doing ok-but on the recovery, I let the airplane fly me instead of me fly the airplane and I lost too much altitude and got out of the standards required for the maneuver. Of all things to mess up on, this specific maneuver was the last one that I was worried about! I had done this maneuver perfectly and smoothly over the past week in practice…and I guess I must have still been a bit shaken up and just didn’t get it done right today. We finished up everything except my last landing-which we will complete when I go back on Thursday morning. I appreciated this, as they saved me some money in not doing the extra pattern and landing.
Overall, I am disappointed that I failed in the specified areas—but in the end, it will make me a better pilot. How does that phrase go? You learn more when you fail than if you had done everything right.—or something like that? No, I haven’t forgotten how to fly, but I just didn’t do it right or well enough today. Yes, I am disappointed that I’m not all done—but am I ever really done? There will always be another flight, another landing, and other student, another day. So, I take it in stride, learned my lessons and will wake up with a new day ahead of me tomorrow.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Pilot Benny
This morning Grandpa and I posed for a quick photo session. I always wanted to take him for a short flight, but the older he gets, the less mobile. So, instead, I borrowed a friend's pilot shirt and Chris' epaulettes and voila! Here you have 2 good looking pilots. You'd almost think he's some airline captain eh?
Tonight we have dinner with family and friends here in Wichita. (I drove down Saturday morning from Salina...Mom said that she was cooking turnkey because Karen and Erik, etc were going to be in town. I heard turkey, and I came runnin! Too bad Chris will have to cook for himself : ) Theresa will be coming over too : )
Counting down until dinner time...it's 4:28 on my computer...
gobble gobble
PS: So I have been informed that it's OK to eat turkey other than Thanksgiving...who'd have thought?! I thought it was limited to one holiday...I suppose not. : ) yum!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
San Diego
So on Thursday I was at work at 5:30 to fly to Denver and then San Diego. Upon landing in snowy, cold Denver we ate a quick breakfast and then onto San Diego. San Diego was nice and warm compared to KC but not as warm as I would expect in Sunny CA. After resting up in the hotel room for a few hours we went out to dinner at The Fish Market. I had the Hawaiian Ono and it was amazing. After dinner I went back to my room watched some tv for bit and headed to bed. I also received a phone call from a good friend of my who is stationed in San Diego. It turns out that her ship made it into port early so we were about to meet up on Friday morning. On Friday morning I got picked up by my friend and then headed to the Naval Station for a personal tour of the USS Bonhomme Richard. It was amazing. It is hard to believe how big those ships are until you are next to them. After the tour we ate a quick lunch and then headed back to the airport so I could come home. After a quick fuel stop in Pueblo CO I was home in time for dinner, gourmet hot dogs.
Helicopters don't fly....they beat the air into submission : )
Yesterday was my 2nd ever helicopter flight and the 1st time I actually got to fly it! K-State Salina acquired the helicopter last fall, and mainly started student training this spring. Since I don’t plan on getting any more ratings after this MEI, I figured it is my last opportunity to fly the KSU-S helicopter.
My friend and fellow CFI (rotor wing, of course), Daniel went up for a short flight yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful and winds calm. After following him around on a quick preflight, we were buckled in and ready to roll…or whatever they call it in a whirly bird. : )
Since I was only taking one flight, we decided for times sake, he would start it up and do the checks so that I could go put-put around Salina and have fun. He hovers it momentarily then hands the Cyclic (stick that controls the rotor blades—allowing you to rotate the blades forward, backwards, right and left) over to me. EIK! What am I doing? He talks me through it all and I am sure to any and all people watching, I looked like a drunk pilot! I swaggered the helicopter over so we could get clearance to depart the area. (Niki said she saw me just after lift off and knew it couldn’t have been Daniel flying at first, due to the zig-zagging motion across the ramp! Lol.)
We got our clearance and Daniel used the Collective (lever by his left hand that allows the helicopter to go up and down) to gain altitude until we were up where he let me take over some more control and get a feel for what flying a helicopter is all about. We hovered around down-town area and I practiced each control, one at a time to get the feel of what they all do. Then we came back to the airport to do some landings. He demonstrated how to do so and what speeds to be looking for. I watched attentively, feeling like a private pilot all over again. Landing 2, here I go! I had the cyclic and attempted to hold the correct speeds coming in…with help from Daniel, I landed. Lift off, and a few more landings later, we came in.
We did a hover taxi across the airport back to the ramp to do more practice with the Tail Rotor Control (AKA-rudder pedals by my feet). Unlike an airplane, the control of these pedals are OPPOSITE! So my left foot moved us right and visa versa. Talk about negative transfer of learning! I had to think about the feet before I touched the controls. I still didn’t quite get the hang of that completely, but I’m sure that is something that can be taught and mastered with practice. On the way in, I definitely realized how hard it is to use each hand and foot individually and how the coordination and individual use of your limbs to multitask this aircraft (if I can call it that) would take several hours to get completely used to.
Over all, Daniel said that I did well for my first flight. Although, I felt like I could use more work on the controls, but for day 1, it was not bad. It was fun, and that’s what I had wanted from the start, a short fun intro flight—and it was.
I don’t know if I will get to fly a helicopter again, but when I get that opportunity—I’m definitely going to take it! I highly recommend any type of helicopter ride—whether you go on a sightseeing tour or actually get to fly it—it is an amazing experience!
Cheerio,
~Robin
My friend and fellow CFI (rotor wing, of course), Daniel went up for a short flight yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful and winds calm. After following him around on a quick preflight, we were buckled in and ready to roll…or whatever they call it in a whirly bird. : )
Since I was only taking one flight, we decided for times sake, he would start it up and do the checks so that I could go put-put around Salina and have fun. He hovers it momentarily then hands the Cyclic (stick that controls the rotor blades—allowing you to rotate the blades forward, backwards, right and left) over to me. EIK! What am I doing? He talks me through it all and I am sure to any and all people watching, I looked like a drunk pilot! I swaggered the helicopter over so we could get clearance to depart the area. (Niki said she saw me just after lift off and knew it couldn’t have been Daniel flying at first, due to the zig-zagging motion across the ramp! Lol.)
We got our clearance and Daniel used the Collective (lever by his left hand that allows the helicopter to go up and down) to gain altitude until we were up where he let me take over some more control and get a feel for what flying a helicopter is all about. We hovered around down-town area and I practiced each control, one at a time to get the feel of what they all do. Then we came back to the airport to do some landings. He demonstrated how to do so and what speeds to be looking for. I watched attentively, feeling like a private pilot all over again. Landing 2, here I go! I had the cyclic and attempted to hold the correct speeds coming in…with help from Daniel, I landed. Lift off, and a few more landings later, we came in.
We did a hover taxi across the airport back to the ramp to do more practice with the Tail Rotor Control (AKA-rudder pedals by my feet). Unlike an airplane, the control of these pedals are OPPOSITE! So my left foot moved us right and visa versa. Talk about negative transfer of learning! I had to think about the feet before I touched the controls. I still didn’t quite get the hang of that completely, but I’m sure that is something that can be taught and mastered with practice. On the way in, I definitely realized how hard it is to use each hand and foot individually and how the coordination and individual use of your limbs to multitask this aircraft (if I can call it that) would take several hours to get completely used to.
Over all, Daniel said that I did well for my first flight. Although, I felt like I could use more work on the controls, but for day 1, it was not bad. It was fun, and that’s what I had wanted from the start, a short fun intro flight—and it was.
I don’t know if I will get to fly a helicopter again, but when I get that opportunity—I’m definitely going to take it! I highly recommend any type of helicopter ride—whether you go on a sightseeing tour or actually get to fly it—it is an amazing experience!
Cheerio,
~Robin
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Back in KSLN
GOOD MORNING! Over the next week or so, I am in Salina, KS finishing up yet another flight rating (MEI). Yes, I’m graduated, but this one is the icing on the cake.
I got into town last night after dropping through Manhattan, KS on the way. I had dinner with a good friend of mine, Jourdan. After arriving in Salina and having a brief reunion with some friends at a meeting last night, I came over to my old roommate’s house, Rob and Niki for the rest of the evening. It is SO GREAT to be back in the comforts of home with my good friends. There is just something about being back with the people you shared so many good times with that just sets my anxious heart at ease as I begin to study for this new rating. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being in KC with Chris, but it is nice to get out and see the old gang again.
I was up early this morning, but a couple of cups of coffee has definitely wiped my sleepiness away. Well, it is going to be a GREAT day-watch out Salina, here I come!
~Robin
PS: I ask for some extra prayers for a family-church friend of ours, whose sister passed away over the weekend. Her funeral is today.
I got into town last night after dropping through Manhattan, KS on the way. I had dinner with a good friend of mine, Jourdan. After arriving in Salina and having a brief reunion with some friends at a meeting last night, I came over to my old roommate’s house, Rob and Niki for the rest of the evening. It is SO GREAT to be back in the comforts of home with my good friends. There is just something about being back with the people you shared so many good times with that just sets my anxious heart at ease as I begin to study for this new rating. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being in KC with Chris, but it is nice to get out and see the old gang again.
I was up early this morning, but a couple of cups of coffee has definitely wiped my sleepiness away. Well, it is going to be a GREAT day-watch out Salina, here I come!
~Robin
PS: I ask for some extra prayers for a family-church friend of ours, whose sister passed away over the weekend. Her funeral is today.
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