First flight in simulator!!

Heya!

I have finally started my FNPT-II simulator sessions and had my first "flight" yesterday afternoon. It was cool taking the right hand seat for the very first time! It really feels so realistic and it does feel that you're in a real cockpit. As soon as you sit down, you have the complex looking Garmin G1000 in front of you and dozen of other buttons and switches. The view is also great. This is what it looks like. I will try to take some photos myself next time!

I flew for approximately one hour and a half. I started on the apron at Falcon Field Arizona. I taxied to the runway and then took off and made some climbs and turns. The controls are very sensitive and you really have to be careful because the slight excessive movement can take you out of control. I then landed and that was the end of my first flight! It was great overall but now I look forward to start flying with radio navigation and all that stuff.

Today I also had the Performance test. I think I did well; I just have to wait for the result. Anyway I'm off to start studying some stuff. Tomorrow someone special is coming to visit so I have to get some work done

;-)

Till next time...

FNPT-II Simulator: Take off tomorrow!!

Hi all,

Tomorrow is my first day in the FNPT-II simulator, so I'm going to be a step closer to flying. Obviously I am more looking forward to the real thing in the air, but at least I'll start getting a taste of what it will be like in the air!

Unfortunately, my first session came a bit at the wrong time, because on Thursday I have the "Performance" progress test and so I am very busy with studying. Ye, thanks to SFA and their really efficient planning, I have a sim session on the eve of a test. Next week I also have the "Air Law" test. So having so much to do and adding a simulator session to it is a bit hard, but again, it is all thanks to the highly efficient SFA planning... obvoiusly I'm being ironic. Anyway, I'll try my best ;-)

So, tomorrow at 1500 I'll be in the DA-42 Simulator for my first ever "flight"!! Until then... study study study!!!

Garmin G1000...

Hello there...
So, yesterday we had another briefing about the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit which we will fly with on the Diamond DA-42 Twinstar, both in the simulator and in the air. The G1000 seems quite a good gadget but it also seems a little bith complicated in theory... lots of buttons and switches to press and turn!! The photo below shows the G1000 on a Cessna 172.

I don't know whether these briefing are actually helpful or not. I mean, trying to figure out what all buttons and switches do in a couple hours isn't the best helpful thing you can do. Ye but they told us we can "practice" using the Garmin G1000 on the computer simulator... one computer for 16 people (at least...) Never mind, we'll wait for the simulator, which we were told we will start "soon" but the word "soon" isn't really a reliable word here!

I'm off because I have to drive to Brussels to apply for my Student Licence today.

See you all and best of luck to those still doing exams... they're soon over!!

FNPT-II Simulator briefings...

Heya there...
Today we started with our FNPT-II simulator briefings. We had a funny instructor but he's quite good. The simulator is a Diamond Da-42 Twinstar. The real aircraft is shown below. (Credit to Airliners.net and the respective photographers for the photos ;-) ) The DA-42 is equipped with the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit so it seems quite cool to fly. Ye I can't wait to fly the real one but first we have to do it on the simulator of course.

We have been told we will start the simulator sessions soon after we finish the briefings but the school said a lot of stuff and lately I started to take everything with "a pinch of salt". Anyway if we do start simulator sessions soon, it will be hell... lessons till 1730, simulator sessions in the evening, simulator sessions in weekends, tests?! Ye sounds crazy eee... welcome to SFA.

Things are going ok so far but ye, getting busy and busy each day. Next Monday I have another test, Mass and Balance so this weekend I'll work on it. I also have to go and apply for my Student Pilot Licence next week.

Good luck to everyone doing exams in Malta, especially to my girlfriend ;-) best of luck!! They will soon be over!

Anyway, I'm off to start some studying myself!! Till later!!