Well, I'm doing it!

I think it's time to purchase a Garmin 396. I've been wanting one for quite some time now due to its ability to download and view in-flight weather reports. I was doing some cross country and saw some particular clouds in the distance and without being followed by center, I didn't have any weather info. I could have called flight watch, but enjoying the flight too much and didn't want to break into other pilots giving pireps I didn't want to break in.

So, I made a bid on E-bay and we'll see how it turns out. So far, I'm the highest bidder at $1400, but with 18 hours to go, I'm sure I'll have some visitors.

I've looked on XM radion's website and found the in-flight weather subscription cost $75.00 for the activation fee and then either $29.99 a month or their deluxe version at $49.99 a month. XM pricing plan website

We'll see if I win the unit. If I do, I'll post my reviews soon!

My Cherokee Update

Here' a few pics of my Cherokee. It's all in disarray. Seats are out of the cabin, the door is off, and the cabin roof panel is dangling....ALL FOR a panel upgrade. I'm in the middle of converting this VFR aircraft into a certified IFR airplane.
Few Things I'm adding:
DME
Glideslope
VOR
Auto-Pilot
Pitot Heater
IFR GPS
Garmin 396 with XM satellite weather
ADF (NDB)
New Altimeter
New VSI
New Tachometer
New Vemeer Mixture Control Knob


I'm guessing that I'll be flying it sometime this fall. Ready to fly in time for Football!! Flying from the Tulsa area to Norman, OK to watch the OU Sooners, baby!!

Here's a few pics

General Aviation Tribute

History of Aviation Video

Played to the theme Song of "Top Gun"

IFR Training

I've been a private Pilot since 1999 and after 250+ hours, I've decided to go after my Instrument rating. Just started my Instrument ground school and I can't believe how much information I didn't know! ADF, VOR, LOC, DME training, etc. is definitely a must for all pilots even if you never want to fly near clouds. Even if you're a fair weather pilot and never go near the hanger when there's a slim chance of low visitibility, you really need to learn Instrument Flying.

(1) As power is reduced to change airspeed from high to low cruise in level flight, which instruments are primary for pitch, bank, and power, respectively?
A Attitude indicator, heading indicator, and manifold pressure gauge or tachometer.
B Altimeter, attitude indicator, and airspeed indicator.
C Altimeter, heading indicator, and manifold pressure gauge or tachometer.

The Answer: C

(2) If an airplane is in an unusual flight attitude and the attitude indicator has exceeded its limits, which instruments should be relied on to determine pitch attitude before starting recovery?
A Turn indicator and VSI.

B Airspeed and altimeter.

C VSI and airspeed to detect approaching VSI or VMO.

The Answer: B


I'm using Sporty's Inst. DVD course, books, and some King Schools videos along with Gleim online course. I recommend using videos, books, on the online course at Gleim if you're going to do it yourself at home. I recommend attending a classroom style Instrument ground school if there is a local class going on at a local college, high school, or flying school. Where I'm at, there wasn't any local ground schools going on this time of the year. So, I opted out for home study and other aviators.

If you never intend on becoming an instrument rated pilot, I heavily recommend taking an instrument ground school.....it will only make you a better pilot.

Log Books & Online Stores

Is it hard to find a good log book? I still have my original logbook and still make entries, but I'm running out of columns. I tried to look on Sporty's and other online pilot stores, but cannot find any of these stores showing how many columns each book has, etc.

I need a Rotorcraft columnn, Taildragger Column, Instrument Column, Simultated Inst. Column, Complex Column, and with getting some time in the Cherokee 6 300, I would like another column for 300 horsepower time. Along with Night, Day, Cross Country, PIC, Dual, Actual Inst., Siumul. Inst., and Total Time I would like four more columns.

Now, I may be going overboard here, but I like being organized with each category. I would like to just glance down at the log book and read the total hours in each cateogry. Is there a book out there that has these columns in it?

Lear 45

My Goal is to one day fly this Lear 45. I'm working on my instrument rating. Been htting the books, videos, online test taking, etc. Got a Cherokee lined up, instructor lined up, and get that written test out of the way and get Instrumented rated. Second is my muli-engine sign off and get some right seat time in the Lear.

Since this Lear is owned by a family member, I'm able to catch a ride in it when it's flown. Since it's family who owns it, I can only ride right seat when it'she uses it. When he charter's the plane out the two pilots must be ATP certified part 135, since I'm not I can't right seat it. But, any time helps.

My goal is to one day be able to pilot-in-command one day. Get some time in it, get my type rating and it can happen. One flight and one lessen at a time is the plan.

45 Hours in a Helicopter

This is a picture of a bell 47 that I trained in. It has a useful load of 550 lbs with full fuel, large, wide main blades, and one heck of a helicopter. They knew how to build em' back then.

I recommend all pilots learn how to fly a helicopter. It's a great endorsement to get for all fixed wing pilots. You really learn how to use the pedals with a helicopter, it can help fixed wing pilots learn how to properly use those pedals.

Can you fly cross country without using the yoke?

Canada Fly-In Lodge

Well, made it to Canda again for the 11th year in row and want to go back. Lake Nueltin is where it's at. Take a plane from Oklahoma to Winnipeg then onto Thompson, Manitoba and then onto a dirt landing strip about 150 to 200 miles from the nearest road.


At the camp there was also a RARE Norseman on floats. Rag Wings, big radial engine...great flying machine. But, the real treat was watching an Otter on floats with a turbo prop engine. Man! Are you talking about no problem getting off the gound! 7 guys with gear, Mercury engines, flshing poles, extra gas for the boat motors and no problem getting off the water. It was a treat!

Need some cross country time

Well, I'm in need (and want) to get some good cross country time in.

I was thinking about flying from Oklahoma to Louisiana or maybe some place east of here and doing a long triangle. I was thinking of a 3 to 4 day trip. Gain about 25 to 40 hours, gain some good CC knowledge, work with ATC, and just get away.

Any suggestions?
Feel free to leave a note and some suggestions. Where to stop, places to see, where to eat, etc.