I'm a Private Pilot!

Mike777 · 06-17-2009, 05:55 PM

Passed my oral and checkride today!!! I'm now a private pilot, airplane single-engine land.

I've looked forward to this day for as long as I can remember. I started my flight training January 14 of this year, and have logged 56.2 hours total time to date, including my checkride. At times I thought this day would never come, but it has, and it's amazing!

u.s.airways92 · 06-17-2009, 06:25 PM

Mike what a big accomplishment! CONGRATS BUDDY! Best of luck goes to you for further goals!

dylan · 06-17-2009, 06:28 PM

Congrats Mike! I remember the day I got mine like it was yesterday. On the way out to the practice area, the examiner fell asleep. He was about 126 years old, and I thought he might be dead.

Congrts again.....next up: Instrument!

Mike777 · 06-17-2009, 06:50 PM

Thanks guys! Dylan, that's hilarious!

yyzjo777 · 06-17-2009, 09:26 PM

Congratulations Mike, that's awesome! I'm happy for you!

Justino · 06-17-2009, 10:28 PM

Congrats Mike!!

What all did you have to do for your ride?

Mike777 · 06-18-2009, 12:28 AM

Thanks Jo-Anne and Justin.

Justin, here's a quick rundown of the flight. (Keep in mind I'm at a 141 school that does in-house checkrides for private and instrument.)

Did a short-field take-off initially, and proceeded to the first couple checkpoints of the cross-country that they had me plan for the oral. Basically they wanted to see that I can spin the whiz-wheel (E6-B) in flight and correctly crunch all the numbers (minutes of fuel left, ground speed, estimated times en-route to next checkpoint, to destination, etc.) as if I was on a cross-country. After that, I went under the hood for some simple turns, climbs, descents, VOR radial tracking, and unusual attitude recovery. After that was some airwork: steep turns, slow flight, stalls. He then killed my engine, so of course I picked a field, trimmed for best-glide, and ran through all the re-start and forced-landing procedures. After that, he took away my GPS and told me to find my way back to our home airport by pilotage (we were only about 15-20 miles away at the time, so it wasn't that hard to do.) Stayed in the pattern for some landings (soft, short, no-flap) and that was pretty much it. Pretty simple stuff in reality, but still stressful.

How bout you Justin? You doing your oral and checkride soon?

Justino · 06-18-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike777

Thanks Jo-Anne and Justin.

Justin, here's a quick rundown of the flight. (Keep in mind I'm at a 141 school that does in-house checkrides for private and instrument.)

Did a short-field take-off initially, and proceeded to the first couple checkpoints of the cross-country that they had me plan for the oral. Basically they wanted to see that I can spin the whiz-wheel (E6-B) in flight and correctly crunch all the numbers (minutes of fuel left, ground speed, estimated times en-route to next checkpoint, to destination, etc.) as if I was on a cross-country. After that, I went under the hood for some simple turns, climbs, descents, VOR radial tracking, and unusual attitude recovery. After that was some airwork: steep turns, slow flight, stalls. He then killed my engine, so of course I picked a field, trimmed for best-glide, and ran through all the re-start and forced-landing procedures. After that, he took away my GPS and told me to find my way back to our home airport by pilotage (we were only about 15-20 miles away at the time, so it wasn't that hard to do.) Stayed in the pattern for some landings (soft, short, no-flap) and that was pretty much it. Pretty simple stuff in reality, but still stressful.

How bout you Justin? You doing your oral and checkride soon?

I know what you mean...seems like so much, yet it really isn't! That all seems like easy stuff to do. My toughest thing is working the whizz-wheel while keeping the plane straight and level. The rest of the flying sounds fun actually.

All thats left for me is the oral and checkride, then I'll be joining the private pilot ranks as well!

BTW, what aircraft did you do your checkride in? C172?

Mike777 · 06-18-2009, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justino

I know what you mean...seems like so much, yet it really isn't! That all seems like easy stuff to do. My toughest thing is working the whizz-wheel while keeping the plane straight and level. The rest of the flying sounds fun actually.

All thats left for me is the oral and checkride, then I'll be joining the private pilot ranks as well!

BTW, what aircraft did you do your checkride in? C172?

Do you have a date set for your checkride yet? Best of luck to you whenever it happens! Just remember that they aren't necessarily looking for perfection on your checkride, just that you are safe, make good decisions, and are situationally aware.

I did all my training in a Garmin G1000 equipped 172R.

Rex · 06-18-2009, 03:59 AM

Good Job Mike. Way to go, happy wings, mate !

airbro · 06-18-2009, 07:40 AM

Congrats Mike My Uncle has a private pilot licence but hasent flown for a while couse he ate a hamburger before he went up and he was sick in the plane all by himself. Are you going for a commercial one?

1:200Freak · 06-18-2009, 10:10 AM

Wevy Wevy Noice! Congrats Mike777

Justino · 06-18-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike777

Do you have a date set for your checkride yet? Best of luck to you whenever it happens! Just remember that they aren't necessarily looking for perfection on your checkride, just that you are safe, make good decisions, and are situationally aware.

I did all my training in a Garmin G1000 equipped 172R.

Not yet, I'm waiting for my CFI to get back from one of his trips so we could go up and get signed off to do my checkride.

G1000 172R, huh? Nice! I'm flying in a old steam gauge 172N!

Mike777 · 06-18-2009, 02:14 PM

Thanks Rex, airbro, and Freak!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justino

G1000 172R, huh? Nice! I'm flying in a old steam gauge 172N!

Yeah, it's pretty nice. In a way it's overkill for private training though.

Here are a couple shots of the glass I took during my solo cross-country (GGG-PSN-LFK-GGG).

Justino · 06-18-2009, 02:52 PM

So umm....you still fly the plane, right? lol

Thats like an electronic kneeboard...very nice! I like how it maps out the route and has all your gauges displayed right there. I've heard that G1000 training is good from the get-go if your commercial pilot bound. That way your constantly using the displays and systems, etc.

Mystère · 06-18-2009, 02:56 PM

Congratulations ! Wow this glass cockpit looks so weird to me, it feels like you're playing FS !

I would feel uneasy if there wasn't one or two good 'ol gauges in my field of view !!

Justino · 06-18-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystère

I would feel uneasy if there wasn't one or two good 'ol gauges in my field of view !!

There are. They're just under the screens where you can't see them.

Mike777 · 06-18-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justino

So umm....you still fly the plane, right? lol

Haha, yeah. We don't have autopilot on our planes, but it is available for the 172.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystère

Congratulations ! Wow this glass cockpit looks so weird to me, it feels like you're playing FS !

I would feel uneasy if there wasn't one or two good 'ol gauges in my field of view !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justino

There are. They're just under the screens where you can't see them.

Yep! There are 3 standby gauges below the glass screens: airspeed, vacuum-driven attitude, and altitude.

That first pic I posted looks like I'm in solid IMC haha, but I'm not of course. I guess the outside is just overexposed/not in focus (I don't know much about cameras). Here are a couple outside shots...

airbro · 06-19-2009, 06:45 AM

Just like in the flight simmulator lol.

knma'91 · 06-20-2009, 03:01 AM

Mike777, Congrats on PPL. Fly High and Fast. Where are you training out of?

B773ER · 06-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Congratulations, Mike!! I know nothing about becoming a pilot (only that my loss of hearing and imperfect vision prevented me from becoming one), so how long will it be before you can apply to work for Continental?

Mike777 · 06-20-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knma'91

Mike777, Congrats on PPL. Fly High and Fast. Where are you training out of?

Thanks! I fly out of East Texas Regional Airport (KGGG) in Longview, TX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by B773ER

Congratulations, Mike!! I know nothing about becoming a pilot (only that my loss of hearing and imperfect vision prevented me from becoming one), so how long will it be before you can apply to work for Continental?

Hehe, thanks Randy! Still a LOOONG time before I can even THINK about applying for even a REGIONAL.

airbro · 06-20-2009, 11:35 PM

Hi Mike Just in intrest what subjects do you do to get a lisence? thanks.

06-17-2009, 05:55 PM	#1
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston Age: 21 Posts: 1,965	I'm a Private Pilot! Passed my oral and checkride today!!! I'm now a private pilot, airplane single-engine land. I've looked forward to this day for as long as I can remember. I started my flight training January 14 of this year, and have logged 56.2 hours total time to date, including my checkride. At times I thought this day would never come, but it has, and it's amazing! Last edited by Mike777; 06-17-2009 at 05:59 PM.

06-17-2009, 06:25 PM	#2
u.s.airways92 future commercial pilot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UTAH Age: 18 Posts: 854	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Mike what a big accomplishment! CONGRATS BUDDY! Best of luck goes to you for further goals! __________________ CHRIS TRUMBULL

06-17-2009, 06:28 PM	#3
dylan Village Drunkard Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert... Age: 32 Posts: 2,848	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Congrats Mike! I remember the day I got mine like it was yesterday. On the way out to the practice area, the examiner fell asleep. He was about 126 years old, and I thought he might be dead. Congrts again.....next up: Instrument! __________________

06-17-2009, 06:50 PM	#4
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston Age: 21 Posts: 1,965	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Thanks guys! Dylan, that's hilarious!

06-17-2009, 09:26 PM	#5
yyzjo777 Loquacious Jo, Rare Bird Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Age: 43 Posts: 1,226	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Congratulations Mike, that's awesome! I'm happy for you! __________________ Jo-Anne

06-17-2009, 10:28 PM	#6
Justino The Aviator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Skies above Orlando Age: 19 Posts: 2,307	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Congrats Mike!! What all did you have to do for your ride? __________________ Justin

06-18-2009, 12:28 AM	#7
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Houston Age: 21 Posts: 1,965	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Thanks Jo-Anne and Justin. Justin, here's a quick rundown of the flight. (Keep in mind I'm at a 141 school that does in-house checkrides for private and instrument.) Did a short-field take-off initially, and proceeded to the first couple checkpoints of the cross-country that they had me plan for the oral. Basically they wanted to see that I can spin the whiz-wheel (E6-B) in flight and correctly crunch all the numbers (minutes of fuel left, ground speed, estimated times en-route to next checkpoint, to destination, etc.) as if I was on a cross-country. After that, I went under the hood for some simple turns, climbs, descents, VOR radial tracking, and unusual attitude recovery. After that was some airwork: steep turns, slow flight, stalls. He then killed my engine, so of course I picked a field, trimmed for best-glide, and ran through all the re-start and forced-landing procedures. After that, he took away my GPS and told me to find my way back to our home airport by pilotage (we were only about 15-20 miles away at the time, so it wasn't that hard to do.) Stayed in the pattern for some landings (soft, short, no-flap) and that was pretty much it. Pretty simple stuff in reality, but still stressful. How bout you Justin? You doing your oral and checkride soon?

06-18-2009, 03:59 AM	#10
Rex Insane 400Scale Collector Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Over there... Posts: 2,059	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Good Job Mike. Way to go, happy wings, mate ! __________________ Collector from Outer Space, I'm only here for the models. Can you read my mind? Rex's Fleet and Model thread: http://www.wings900.com/vb/1-400-sca...llections.html

06-18-2009, 07:40 AM	#11
airbro Crazy 1/400 collector Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northen Sydney Age: 13 Posts: 856	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Congrats Mike My Uncle has a private pilot licence but hasent flown for a while couse he ate a hamburger before he went up and he was sick in the plane all by himself. Are you going for a commercial one? __________________ Long live the 717! Research shows that 40% of teens have tried un eatable drugs but I bet they haven't tried one like this. On approach: AC australian a300 finaly! posts: 777 make that an er Cheers Brad

06-18-2009, 10:10 AM	#12
1:200Freak Emirates Boeing 777-200LR Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,447	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Wevy Wevy Noice! Congrats Mike777

06-18-2009, 02:52 PM	#15
Justino The Aviator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Skies above Orlando Age: 19 Posts: 2,307	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! So umm....you still fly the plane, right? lol Thats like an electronic kneeboard...very nice! I like how it maps out the route and has all your gauges displayed right there. I've heard that G1000 training is good from the get-go if your commercial pilot bound. That way your constantly using the displays and systems, etc. __________________ Justin

06-18-2009, 02:56 PM	#16
Mystère SN-601 Corvette Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midway between Omaha Beach and Paris. Age: 39 Posts: 1,839	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Congratulations ! Wow this glass cockpit looks so weird to me, it feels like you're playing FS ! I would feel uneasy if there wasn't one or two good 'ol gauges in my field of view !! __________________ Take the money-grab & deceit out of our hobby, and bring back ethics and quality!! Just say NO to Green Bucks/PAMSick/CJWings

06-19-2009, 06:45 AM	#19
airbro Crazy 1/400 collector Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northen Sydney Age: 13 Posts: 856	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Just like in the flight simmulator lol. __________________ Long live the 717! Research shows that 40% of teens have tried un eatable drugs but I bet they haven't tried one like this. On approach: AC australian a300 finaly! posts: 777 make that an er Cheers Brad

06-20-2009, 03:01 AM	#20
knma'91 Black Belt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 322	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Mike777, Congrats on PPL. Fly High and Fast. Where are you training out of? __________________ Private Pilot Single Engine 03/09/2007 Private Pilot Multi Engine 05/26/2007 Instrument Rated 10/20/2007 Commercial Multi Engine 12/11/2007 Commercial Single Engine 01/21/2008

06-20-2009, 10:51 AM	#21
B773ER ..... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle (West Seattle) Age: 51 Posts: 6,251	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! *Congratulations, Mike!!* I know nothing about becoming a pilot (only that my loss of hearing and imperfect vision prevented me from becoming one), so how long will it be before you can apply to work for Continental? __________________

06-20-2009, 11:35 PM	#23
airbro Crazy 1/400 collector Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northen Sydney Age: 13 Posts: 856	Re: I'm a Private Pilot! Hi Mike Just in intrest what subjects do you do to get a lisence? thanks. __________________ Long live the 717! Research shows that 40% of teens have tried un eatable drugs but I bet they haven't tried one like this. On approach: AC australian a300 finaly! posts: 777 make that an er Cheers Brad

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: