Mountain Flying!

Just a quick update since it's been awhile. I passed my instrument rating, and I'm just about done with my commercial license. Below are some photos from the mountain course that I just got back from in Reno, NV.

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I'm a real pilot now!

Well It is official I passed my private pilot check ride! I thought that I would struggle through it and be nervous, but it turned out to be a great experience. I am so happy to be done with that and I actually have a real pilot's license now. I want to thank everyone for your encouragement, prayers, and support. Ive actually been done now for two weeks ( I obviously need to be better posting updates) now and I'm working on transitioning into a new helicopter the R22. It is real different than the Schweitzer 300 and requires a finer touch on the controls and more power management, but it is fun because of the new challenges it presents. I will also be starting on Instrument ground school next week which from what I hear is no walk in the park.

Believe it or not but I do miss rainy days in Alaska, and of course everyone there. Ill be home for Christmas.....but until then keep me in your prayers! I love you all....

Below are some pictures of some of the fun nights with all the guys:

Here is a quick youtube video I made of my solo....

My first solo!

My first solo was yesterday! What a blast!

I passed my pre-solo stage check! My first solo is on Saturday!!!

Ive been flying for the last six days straight!

Okay, so this is my sixth straight day of flying. So far Ive logged 7.8 hours, and I'm having a total blast. When I first met my instructor I was a little bit hesitant because he was so foreign and seemed a bit shy. Luckily he has really opened up and has helped to push me at a pace that continues to challenge me everyday. I was surprise to actually be able to hold a pretty decent hover on my first flight. The Schweitzer is a little bit more forgiving and it makes it a fun helicopter to train in. Every day here is Florida is about 100 degrees and high humidity so we always fly with the doors off. This seems to give every maneuver a "real" feeling. So far my favorite thing to do besides hovering are simulated engine off auto rotations. The Schweitzer doesn't glide too much in an auto and falls about 3000 fpm, this tends to make the ground rush up at you super fast, but with a nice aggressive flare at 50 feet you can level off in about a 3-5 ft hover....what a riot! Below are some pictures of me hovering and flying, yes I do have a bit of a jarhead cut but it should grow out soon....

Groundschool

Hovering on the tarmac

My roommate sure can cook a mean English roast!