MEI Passed--Finally!

One checkride down, another one to go. All my blogs titles lately have included an exclamation point. Everything that I have written have been important events. This one deserves two exclamation points but I will reserve that for when I complete my II (Instrument Instructor) checkride next Thursday. I'm scheduled with the same examiner that check me out for me MEI. Back to the books and flight training device (like a simulator, except it doesn't have any motion) for preparation.

For my aviation friends, I flew to Cable airport in Upland, CA to do my oral and practical with Steve Holmes. After at least an hour on the ground going over a few regs, aerodynamics, and a whole teaching on Vmc and "critical engine", we took to the skys. I performed several engine-out procedures, such as failing engine on the student in different points of departure and altitude. The Vmc and Drag demo went without any glitches. It was a good flight. However, there were terrible winds and it was bumping us all over the place--not the best condition to be "practicing" teaching. The winds didn't help my short field demonstration, but at least we got down and the examiner didn't frown. Besides all of the that it was the first time to land and fly out of Cable airport. Aviation Trivia: The airport is privately owned by the Cable family and it's one of the busiest uncontrollable airport that is privately owned.

Checkride on Thursday...???

It seems like there might be a chance that I could finally do my checkride. It helps to have one scheduled with an examiner, but it has been so diffecult to do so. I am supposed to do it this Thursday, late morning. Let's hope that I have been studying the right material for this examiner. Every one has their own emphasis even though the requirements/standards are all the same. Tomorrow I am scheduled to fly in preparation. I haven't flown in over 10 days. Because the aircraft is so expensive to fly ($300 with instructor), I have to limit my time on it and just fly prior to the practical flight exam. Hopefully weather will be in my favor and the checkride will go unhindered by adverse or even minor conditions. The exam must be performed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), basically few clouds and good visibility. As soon as I pass, I will be on to the next instructor upgrade--Instrument Instructor. It would be nice if it only takes a week, but as things are going I should plan on another month...bummer. I'm glad I picked Long Beach for the training though.

Not so suddenly

Well, it's been over a month now that I have been in SoCal (Southern California). Originally, I was scheduled to be in training for about one week in Long Beach, but then I decided to upgrade my flight instructor ratings. This was supposed to take still only about a week or so, but it has turned out to be over a month and then some. I could still be out here for another month as things progress...or not. I have been waiting to do a checkride (oral and flight exam) for my MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor) certificate for over a week now. I have been at the Long Beach everyday for over 30 days--just studying for my instructor upgrades. Well, my instructor who is helping get to the next instructor level is calling me back to work. More later, if I can sneak away from the training room...