2013 avaition goals

[gotyacovered]

saw this on aopa's forum and they were going back to 2011 stuff and thought it was pretty neat so i am going to start one here.

1. get my total time over 150 hours
2. instrument rating
3. taildragger rating
4. 500nm solo trip
5. fly to two NCAA football games in one day
6. take a trip with a couple buddys

[theFlyingHog]

1. Smell avgas again.

[gotyacovered]

1. Smell avgas again.

The smell of avgas burnin is awesome. I remember smelling it when I was very young and I was hooked. Hope you achieve your goal.

[HawgPilot]

Sell my 182 and buy a twin.

[Pistol Pete]

1. Pass my written.
2. Purchase an airplane.
3. Get my PP license
4. Fly to 3 or 4 Razorback football games.

[GusMcRae]

I'm new to this board, first post. Don't hate me because I'm an Aggie.  TexAgs does not have an Aviation Board, and just got word about this one.
I'm also a new PP.  Started lessons last summer, had never flown in the front seat of any piston plane, soloed after roughly 11 hours, obtained the PP in October.
Have a C-150 L (bought in AR) and a C-182 K (bought in AL), both are around 40 years old but good solid fairly low TT ships.  I have logged slightly over 100 hours so far, last 30 or so in the C-182.  Longest PIC XC was roughly 300 nm over New Years weekend.  Numerous 135 nm XC trips. 

My 2012 goals are XC trips to: Ruidoso NM to golf and go to horse races, Gunnison CO to fly fish, the place on the White River AR where you fly in to fish, and several trips to South Texas to see friends and hunt.
I intend to get an instrument rating, and a tail wheel endorsement in 2012.
My other goals are to help several others in my family obtain their PP.

My long range goals are to travel to at least 1 away SEC game/year for many years to come.  Fayetteville is high on the list once we start the home and home series. 

[gotyacovered]

I'm new to this board, first post. Don't hate me because I'm an Aggie.  TexAgs does not have an Aviation Board, and just got word about this one.
I'm also a new PP.  Started lessons last summer, had never flown in the front seat of any piston plane, soloed after roughly 11 hours, obtained the PP in October.
Have a C-150 L (bought in AR) and a C-182 K (bought in AL), both are around 40 years old but good solid fairly low TT ships.  I have logged slightly over 100 hours so far, last 30 or so in the C-182.  Longest PIC XC was roughly 300 nm over New Years weekend.  Numerous 135 nm XC trips. 

My 2012 goals are XC trips to: Ruidoso NM to golf and go to horse races, Gunnison CO to fly fish, the place on the White River AR where you fly in to fish, and several trips to South Texas to see friends and hunt.
I intend to get an instrument rating, and a tail wheel endorsement in 2012.
My other goals are to help several others in my family obtain their PP.

My long range goals are to travel to at least 1 away SEC game/year for many years to come.  Fayetteville is high on the list once we start the home and home series. 

welcome, look forward to your input.

if you are going for golf and horse racing, with no particular attachment to NM, you should consider Hot Springs, AR. they have several golf courses, (hot springs village has 8 ) and there are a couple really nice ones, in town. the track is always fun and in general its a fun town. there is a casino on site as well. if you head that way, let us know and we will guide you thru the weekend as far as food and entertainment go. and of course a good ctiy owned FBO to fly into, cheapest 100ll i have bought to date (this past weekend).

Drake/KFYV is a fun airport to fly into, you will enjoy your SEC game there, free shuttle to/from the game and the staff is very friendly.

oh... and we are thoroughly look forward to whippin' up on you guys for the years to come

[jonesark™]

Get my ATP.

[gotyacovered]

saw this on aopa's forum and they were going back to 2011 stuff and thought it was pretty neat so i am going to start one here.

1. get my total time over 150 hours Check... 151.71 - I am revising it though... want to get 150 this year. not total. i am at 83.27 year to date.
2. instrument rating
3. taildragger rating
4. 500nm solo trip
5. fly to two NCAA football games in one day
6. take a trip with a couple buddys

[Pistol Pete]

1. Pass my written. in process
2. Purchase an airplane. Check
3. Get my PP license--- in process
4. Fly to 3 or 4 Razorback football games.

[GusMcRae]

Had my first tail-wheel lesson just this morning in a Citabria.  CFI took a few pics and one little vid. 
Stayed tight in the pattern, only 400 feet off the ground or so,,, were banking into the crosswind leg before we would even get to the end of the runway,,, it was fun...
The Citabria is like a little sports car, and my CFI likes to use it like you would a sports car.  He had to show off a little along the way.  We probably did 20 touch and goes,,, not wasting any time climbing or going very far out.  Just right back to the runway. 
Just as everyone has warned, it's squirrelly on the ground.  Made a couple of simulated crop dusting passes,,,, buzzed an old retired crop duster's runway and house. 
150 hp engine in a plane lighter than my C-150 handles way different than anything I've ever been in. 
Fun stuff flying with a stick.  It may take me a few lessons to get the hang of it on the ground before I feel comfortable enough to go it alone.   

[gotyacovered]

Had my first tail-wheel lesson just this morning in a Citabria.  CFI took a few pics and one little vid. 
Stayed tight in the pattern, only 400 feet off the ground or so,,, were banking into the crosswind leg before we would even get to the end of the runway,,, it was fun...
The Citabria is like a little sports car, and my CFI likes to use it like you would a sports car.  He had to show off a little along the way.  We probably did 20 touch and goes,,, not wasting any time climbing or going very far out.  Just right back to the runway. 
Just as everyone has warned, it's squirrelly on the ground.  Made a couple of simulated crop dusting passes,,,, buzzed an old retired crop duster's runway and house. 
150 hp engine in a plane lighter than my C-150 handles way different than anything I've ever been in. 
Fun stuff flying with a stick.  It may take me a few lessons to get the hang of it on the ground before I feel comfortable enough to go it alone.   

sounds fun /jealous

[GusMcRae]

Took another lesson later in the morning on Friday in the Citabria.  He had taken the door off.  Just a lot of t&G's, tight in the pattern,,,,,

Flew over North of Dallas Friday evening in my 182, returned last night in the dark.  Definitely changes the depth perception.

Planning to go to Ruidoso this weekend.  By the time we return I should have just over 200 hours total logged. 
Insurance goes down, right?   

[gotyacovered]

Took another lesson later in the morning on Friday in the Citabria.  He had taken the door off.  Just a lot of t&G's, tight in the pattern,,,,,

Flew over North of Dallas Friday evening in my 182, returned last night in the dark.  Definitely changes the depth perception.

Planning to go to Ruidoso this weekend.  By the time we return I should have just over 200 hours total logged. 
Insurance goes down, right?   

mine went down a ton from zero to PPL with 170 hours!!! The next big jump is instrument and 1000 hours.

besides if your insurance goes down, you planes 6th sense will feel the extra money and take it!!!!

that tail wheel training sounds fun, and that rating couldn't hurt either.

[Flying Razorback]

I am very jealous of the Citabria training.  I've wanted to get my tail dragger rating for a while.  And I love VFR flying.  Low/tight patterns are a blast.  They get even more fun when you are very fast in a large aircraft.

[GusMcRae]

I am very jealous of the Citabria training.  I've wanted to get my tail dragger rating for a while.  And I love VFR flying.  Low/tight patterns are a blast.  They get even more fun when you are very fast in a large aircraft.

This was definitely the most fun I've ever had flying. 
I'm sure the fighter jet training and maneuvers are 100 times more fun than this, but this was a blast.  I can see how aerial spraying would get in a pilot's blood. 

When I mentioned to my CFI how that plane handled he said "wait until you fly it without my fat a$$ in the back seat".   

[GusMcRae]

 
My 2012 goals are XC trips to: Ruidoso NM to golf and go to horse races

Check!

Wife and I went this past weekend, in much much better conditions than when we went out there in February. 
With 2 sets of clubs and all our luggage, I was a little wiser this time to not top off the fuel, just had them put enough in to go with what I had to get back home and have some to spare.  Trip out was into a slight headwind and it took 3 hours. Home was slight tailwind and made it in 2:40. 
Friend who spends the summers out there let us use his jeep to run around in.  Another friend let us stay in his cabin.  2 rounds of golf, 2 days at the races.  Great trip.
My total time is up over 200 hours now.

[gotyacovered]

Check!

Wife and I went this past weekend, in much much better conditions than when we went out there in February. 
With 2 sets of clubs and all our luggage, I was a little wiser this time to not top off the fuel, just had them put enough in to go with what I had to get back home and have some to spare.  Trip out was into a slight headwind and it took 3 hours. Home was slight tailwind and made it in 2:40. 
Friend who spends the summers out there let us use his jeep to run around in.  Another friend let us stay in his cabin.  2 rounds of golf, 2 days at the races.  Great trip.
My total time is up over 200 hours now.

nice... better get on it... i am gaining on ya

been a slow month for me... busy.

[gotyacovered]

saw this on aopa's forum and they were going back to 2011 stuff and thought it was pretty neat so i am going to start one here.

2012 goals/results
1. get my total time over 150 hours
2. instrument rating
3. taildragger rating
4. 500nm solo trip
5. fly to two NCAA football games in one day
6. take a trip with a couple buddys

1. get my total time over 150 hours check, sitting on 188 right now!
2. instrument rating in process, will happen in 2013
3. taildragger rating nope
4. 500nm solo trip my longest trip was 368nm
5. fly to two NCAA football games in one day nope
6. take a trip with a couple buddys checkx3

2013 goals
1. get IR - this is my main goal. nothing else will happen if this doesn't
2. get commercial rating
3. 500nm PIC trip
4. take at least one pleasure flight a month, just boring holes in the sky, or going to grab a burger
5. Class Bravo visit - maybe osh
6. fly at least three diff planes, including tail dragger with rating
7. get to 400TT (that 212 for this year)

[GusMcRae]

My 2013 goals:
1. Tail wheel endorsement got 2 hrs duel, need a little more to obtain the endorsement
2. Instrument rating About to bear down on the written, goal is to pass written by Christmas
3. Gunnison CO to fly fish
4. White River AR to fish
5. Several trips to South Texas to see friends and hunt
6. Complex plane endorsement
7. Help my Wife and Dad obtain PP

[gotyacovered]

My 2013 goals:
1. Tail wheel endorsement got 2 hrs duel, need a little more to obtain the endorsement
2. Instrument rating About to bear down on the written, goal is to pass written by Christmas
3. Gunnison CO to fly fish
4. White River AR to fish
5. Several trips to South Texas to see friends and hunt
6. Complex plane endorsement
7. Help my Wife and Dad obtain PP

uuuhhhh... the fly fishing one is a helluva idea!

[Flying Razorback]

Nice!  Keep up the hard work guys!

[GusMcRae]

Got to fly the Citabria again for half hour last Friday. 
It felt sooooo uncomfortable after not being in a taildragger in over 3 months. 
CFI didn't think I did that bad, but it felt awful. 
Didn't even have time for a refresher on what to do, he just booted another guy out, I climbed in, and away we went.  It seemed like everything I had learned the first time was just very stale. 
He said it usually takes 4-5 hours to get the hang of it.  I want to be able to fly it for a couple of hours next time I take a lesson in it.  Maybe it will all gel with me if I can do that. 

[GusMcRae]

Another half hour or so in the Citabria yesterday evening, and it felt much better than last Friday.  I think i was just too rushed last Friday.  I got the hang of it again. 
He said next trip we would probably focus on mostly main wheel landings. 

[MDH]

Well done.  That's something I never did, never really had the opportunity.

[Pistol Pete]

After procrastinating for a while, I finally took my written Monday and passed with a nice score...
Checkride on the 17th.

[gotyacovered]

After procrastinating for a while, I finally took my written Monday and passed with a nice score...
Checkride on the 17th.

Congrats and good luck! Where did you take your written?

[rnclittlerock]

And who is your check ride with?  On the off chance we used the same guy...did mine about a month ago or so.

[Pistol Pete]

Congrats and good luck! Where did you take your written?

I took it at Central...

[Pistol Pete]

And who is your check ride with?  On the off chance we used the same guy...did mine about a month ago or so.

A gentleman in Searcy. I don't recall his name... will tell you in a few minutes

[Pistol Pete]

And who is your check ride with?  On the off chance we used the same guy...did mine about a month ago or so.

Steve Foster in Searcy

[GusMcRae]

Tried to attach a video of 1 landing (1 out of about 10 landings total) this AM in the Citabria.  Said that the file type was not allowed.
Did about 7 or so 3-pt landings, then the last 3 or so were main wheel landings. 
Feeling better all the time.  CFI said we would do some grass strip landings next time we go. 

[rnclittlerock]

Steve Foster in Searcy

No such luck, mine was with David Vaughn up around Jonesboro.

I can tell what they're told to harp on lately...

1) positive control and control exchange, keeping the rudder coordinated, etc.  emphasis on recovery from unusual attitudes, if you do that ok with the hood on mine cut me some slack on the rest.
2) know checklist things without the checklist, like V speeds of course and common emergency procedures (cabin smoke? Turn electricity off)
3) verbalize everything, if it sounds like you know what you're supposed to do you'll get more leeway if you miss doing it precisely
4) don't have to get everything right on the oral but you do need to know airport markings and how to compile weather info, know about weather charts and reports in detail.
5) know the restrictions on class C and B, and how to get in and out
6) don't try to salvage a bad approach or landing, he can't penalize you for going around, that's what you're supposed to do.  But if you land anyway and get close to the grass in a crosswind, for instance, he can fail you on the spot for that.

Those are the main things I remember from mine.

In short, look at the things that students and low time pilots statistically suffer from, and know those things, rather than trying to memorize everything.  Keeping in mind that this guy doesn't know you from Adam.  For all he knows you cheated on the written, doctored your logbook, and stole the plane you bring to him.  Once he gets comfortable that you're likely to pass and he's not gonna have to take the plane away from you things will get easier as the day goes on.

[GusMcRae]

I can tell what they're told to harp on lately...

... and I can a few more:

Make sure you look before turning and announce "clear to the right/left". 

When they ask you to do a stall, make sure you do a clearing turn, and announce that that is what you're doing.  If you've just completed a 360 (for instance if you just finished doing a turn around a point), you can say "we've just made a 360 and it was clear, that was my clearing turn". 

Stay within a 100 feet of the altitude they give you to fly. 

[Pistol Pete]

No such luck, mine was with David Vaughn up around Jonesboro.

I can tell what they're told to harp on lately...

1) positive control and control exchange, keeping the rudder coordinated, etc.  emphasis on recovery from unusual attitudes, if you do that ok with the hood on mine cut me some slack on the rest.
2) know checklist things without the checklist, like V speeds of course and common emergency procedures (cabin smoke? Turn electricity off)
3) verbalize everything, if it sounds like you know what you're supposed to do you'll get more leeway if you miss doing it precisely
4) don't have to get everything right on the oral but you do need to know airport markings and how to compile weather info, know about weather charts and reports in detail.
5) know the restrictions on class C and B, and how to get in and out
6) don't try to salvage a bad approach or landing, he can't penalize you for going around, that's what you're supposed to do.  But if you land anyway and get close to the grass in a crosswind, for instance, he can fail you on the spot for that.

Those are the main things I remember from mine.

In short, look at the things that students and low time pilots statistically suffer from, and know those things, rather than trying to memorize everything.  Keeping in mind that this guy doesn't know you from Adam.  For all he knows you cheated on the written, doctored your logbook, and stole the plane you bring to him.  Once he gets comfortable that you're likely to pass and he's not gonna have to take the plane away from you things will get easier as the day goes on.

Thanks for the input. My CFI and I are going to do 3 hours of groound school. He sends all his student pilots to this examiner, so he's pretty upm to date on what's expected...

To be truthful about it, I could have passed my written a couple months ago. I just didn't feel like I "knew" the material. I'm glad I continued to study because I feel much more competent with airspaces, reading the sectional, METARS, etc...

[Pistol Pete]

... and I can a few more:

Make sure you look before turning and announce "clear to the right/left". 

When they ask you to do a stall, make sure you do a clearing turn, and announce that that is what you're doing.  If you've just completed a 360 (for instance if you just finished doing a turn around a point), you can say "we've just made a 360 and it was clear, that was my clearing turn". 

Stay within a 100 feet of the altitude they give you to fly. 

Haha, I'm going to do clearing turns so often, he'll get sick...
My CFI and I will go over the maneuvers in one last ride sometime next week. I feel very comfortable with this portion of getting my PPL, the knowledge part is my greatest concern. Hence the reason I continued to study a liong time before the written.

[rnclittlerock]

mine wasn't as specific as a lot of the oral videos you see on youtube and what not.

he pretty much asked general questions, and if you could explain your answer, he was satisfied and moved on.  i also spent a lot of time studying the books, but in hindsight i don't think it was necessary, other than him telling me i "did really well on the oral".  i would have been better suited to fly more, particularly the maneuvers, going up to the ride itself.

the impression i got was that at this point they're not trying to fail you, they want you to pass.  for instance i stalled the plane setting it up for slow flight accidentally.  no big deal, just do it again.  as long as i got everything within tolerances by the third try, and only once, he checked it off and on to the next thing.

overall, i think once he was satisfied i knew how to sort through a weather brief and plan a trip, and handle various takeoffs and landings, he wanted me to pass and was gonna give me every opportunity possible to do the rest.

[gotyacovered]

Ill give you a couple... On the oral, if he asks you something you don't know, tell him your not sure, but you know it's in part 61 (or whatever) and grab for your FAR/AIM and be prepared to look. I had to do this for one of the currency requirements.

Also, if you start a maneuver and you are behind the plane, stop. Start over. No joke. I was 80 hours in and profencient or better, on my first maneuver with my DPE (I think the most basic-turns on a point I lost about 200' in the first 130 degrees. I apologized and told him I was starting over. Went very smoothly after that.

I nailed my emergency stuff, that was a big deal to him. His name was Rick D'Angelo, everybody told mentonavoid him. Former FAA guy. He was hard but plan on taking my IR checkride with him.

[HawgPilot]

Sell my 182 and buy a twin.

Check on both accounts.  Sold my 182 in May and bought a 414AW in June.  My 2013 goal is to get my multi.

[gotyacovered]

1. get my total time over 150 hours check, sitting on 188 right now!
2. instrument rating in process, will happen in 2013
3. taildragger rating nope
4. 500nm solo trip my longest trip was 368nm
5. fly to two NCAA football games in one day nope
6. take a trip with a couple buddys checkx3

2013 goals
1. get IR - this is my main goal. nothing else will happen if this doesn't
2. get commercial rating
3. 500nm PIC trip
4. take at least one pleasure flight a month, just boring holes in the sky, or going to grab a burger
5. Class Bravo visit - maybe osh
6. fly at least three diff planes, including tail dragger with rating
7. get to 400TT (that 212 for this year)

i am modifying my 2013 goals:

1. get my IR.

[Michaelt]

1. Get my dispatcher's license
2. Cut our company's fuel costs by 7-10%
3. Don't miss any flights (10 years running)
4. continue to cut down on the paper we use and convert more to digital
5. keep my pilots and director happy!

Those are my top five for 2013.

[rnclittlerock]

I already got an ipad to eliminate paper in the plane, speaking of going digital, and have been looking at logbook apps but find them either too pricey (subscription? To store documents I don't trust you with on your server?  No thanks...) or lacking in features.

If I weren't so many years removed and thus rusty from my last software gig I'd take a stab at making a few bucks with some alternatives.

[gotyacovered]

I already got an ipad to eliminate paper in the plane, speaking of going digital, and have been looking at logbook apps but find them either too pricey (subscription? To store documents I don't trust you with on your server?  No thanks...) or lacking in features.

If I weren't so many years removed and thus rusty from my last software gig I'd take a stab at making a few bucks with some alternatives.

Myflightbook.com great app, great website, great customer service... Oh, and it's free.


Here are a few screen shots of mine...and an example of a flight.
http://myflightbook.com/logbook/Member/FlightAnalysis.aspx?id=342225

[rnclittlerock]

Well that works like a champ, didn't see that one, thanks.

[gotyacovered]

Well that works like a champ, didn't see that one, thanks.

Also... (Didnt mention) when I started I kept a spread sheet of my logs so I could have a back up.... and i just imported it into myflightbook... only thing missing the telemetry data. If you did the same you can import .csv. Eric... The dude that created the app... is really nice/helpful. You can also export (think redundancy) the data...

[rnclittlerock]

That was the main thing I was looking for, those subscription guys were pitching my stuff being stuck on their box by the looks of it.  A csv backup on my gmail account seems a lot more trustworthy.

[L.A.]

Get out of the regionals!

[GusMcRae]

My 2013 goals:
1. Tail wheel endorsement got 2 hrs duel, need a little more to obtain the endorsement
2. Instrument rating About to bear down on the written, goal is to pass written by MARCH 2013
3. Gunnison CO to fly fish
4. White River AR to fish
5. Several trips to South Texas to see friends and hunt
6. Complex plane endorsement
7. Help my Wife and Dad obtain PP

Updating.....
Getting really close to taking the written. I'm thinking within 10 days - 2 weeks I'm gonna pull the trigger and go take it!
Not sure what lit a fire under me but I've been hitting the books pretty hard and taken a few sample tests on Sportys.

[GusMcRae]

Updating.....
Getting really close to taking the written. I'm thinking within 10 days - 2 weeks I'm gonna pull the trigger and go take it!
Not sure what lit a fire under me but I've been hitting the books pretty hard and taken a few sample tests on Sportys.

Pass Instrument Written,,,,,,,,, CHECK!  Got'r'done today! 

[Pistol Pete]

Pass Instrument Written,,,,,,,,, CHECK!  Got'r'done today! 

Congrats!!!
Been on a commercial jet today reading articles about Instrument Ratings, clouds, etc... I'm going to start working on mine, ASAP.