A Lot Has Happened...

So I was reviewing my last post and realized a lot has happened in just a week. I will try to make it fairly short even though a lot has happened. I guess the first thing I should bring up is that the maintenance folks rock at my airport. What I thought was going to take at least a week took only 3 days. Man, that is awesome. I was bummed out since they weren't giving me a good ETIC (estimated time in commission) and I just assumed the worst. I still don't know how much it is going to cost me, they said they are a couple of months behind in the billing department. OK, whatever.

OK, with that out of the way, let's get on to the flying. My new instructor actually kept his word and we were able to get the night cross-country requirement done. It was nice to fly when it wasn't so damn hot and bumpy. We cruised out about 50 miles, did a full stop landing, and came back. Just a little BS'ing on the way with the XM radio playing in the background (which will soon be Sirius..woohoo!!!). Anyway, I have done my FAIR SHARE of flying at night with the Air Force, so this wasn't anything new to me. If there was a non-event, this would be it. The only concern was deer on the runway (the airport is in the wood with LOTS of wildlife) when we got back, but we only saw one on the edge of the taxiway after we landed. I have seen my fair share of "deer strikes" on airplanes and they tend to tear up a lot of expensive stuff. With that out of the way, the only requirements remaining were:

1. A long solo cross country (at least 150 miles with 3 stops and one leg at least 50 miles).
2. A total of 5 hours of solo cross country time.
3. 3 hours of flight preparation for the practical test (checkride) within 60 days (or often called "3 in 60").

In the last couple of days, I have met all the requirements by flying two cross countries. The long one actually met all the requirements (solo cross country requirement) but I took the "extra one" to see the field I have been asked to "plan on flying to" by the examiner. With that all I am lacking is the "3 in 60" which I started today. I have taken a couple of days off (to preclude the scheduler calling last minute requiring me to cancel a flight) to do the "checkride practice" on Thurs, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I have also schedule next Friday and Saturday just to be on the safe side.

Today's practice was pretty simple; a couple of steep turns and stalls and some "soft field" take off and landings. I really haven't done very many of the "soft fields" and I thought I was really sucking at them, by my instructor said I was fine. As a matter of fact, he thinks I am ready for the checkride now, but I tend to disagree. I might be within the standards according to the FAA, but my standards are a little higher, so I want to continue practicing some. I do not want any doubt as to the results of the checkride (not only to mention that it's $350 a pop...you fail, you pay again!). Besides, is he really going to turn down the business?

Lastly, this has been a very busy last couple of weeks. I am cramming for the written (I take it in 2 days) and wrapping up the couple of classes for my master's degree. I am happy that I get a two week break before I start my LAST CLASS!!! WOOOOO HOOOO!!!!

After that, I will have my private pilot done (I hope, anyway), school will be over and I am going to "veg out" for a while. I want to get the instrument rating done (so you can fly in the weather but after the pain the PPL has been, I will do an accelerated program which will require more self-study and about 50 hours of cross country time, so I am not worrying about that until early next year. I am ready for a break, that is for sure!

So some stats:
Total Time: 52.7
Total Solo: 17.3
Total In MY plane: 16.4 Total (11.2 Solo)
Total Spend: Oh Shit!!! Don't look at that number!!!

So now you are caught up. The plan is keep cramming for written, study for the oral and fly with my instructor at least two more times (scheduled for 4).