Up Up and... over to Tooele... AGAIN

Well… I got the ride done two weeks ago, but it took me until now to actually sit down and write about it. It’s cool, I budget time well.

Starting it off… Flight was Monday March 16 in N978WC with Chandler Jones and Mike Leaver. What a duo.

I think this was Jones’ second flight so the stuff we did was pretty basic. No engine failures or anything like that, but it was beneficial nonetheless. We trucked on out to the Bolinder Field or whatever the hell it’s really called for some basic maneuvers in the twin (stalls, steep turns, cool stuff like that). Steep turns are pretty much exactly the same in the twin as they are in the Arrow, big surprise, and Jones nailed them on the first go around. Now the stalls, they were… interesting. They don’t joke around when they say don’t take it to the full stall. That thing was rocking like a leaf on the wind as we did the maneuver. The landings are pretty much exactly the same as well, except for the slight increase in speed and the necessity for a bit more power all the way to touchdown. The flight went really well.

Big things I took away from it. Stalls are serious... like seriously serious, in the twin. The checklists are a little bit longer now. The autopilot is crappy, so you really have to pay attention to it. Really have to pay attention to altitude as you first get used to the Seminole, it can climb a lot faster than we are used to. Going to have to really be on top of your game in that plane because everything happens faster, and there is double going on.

BTW… I passed my Commercial Checkride on Monday! Woot!

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Ah yes, and so we conclude this chapter in our lives. What have we learned...

1. Obviously I learned how to operate a multi-engine aircraft and the proper procedures for responding to emergency in said airplane. I feel very confident going into the flying stages.

2. I learned group study sessions rock. Getting together with the guys before the test was probably the best decision I could have made. Those study sessions were invaluable.

The class went pretty well, I wouldn't change much. This was the ground school I think I took the most from. I think the small class size really helped. Most westminster classes are small, but I think five was a great number. I would think about limiting the number to something around there if it is possible. No overall complaints. It was sweet...


I end this journey with a lasting question.... You are taking off and experience an engine failure.. to your left is a pissed off Warlock, straight ahead is a colony of Umpa Lumpas, to the right... is Bigfoot... WHAT DO YOU DO!