Johnny in Arizona!!

Hey all,

Finally, I'm now sort of settled here in Arizona and I can write my first post from here! I was trying to find some time to update the blog but I've been quite busy settling in, in the past three days. I arrived last Wednesday at 8pm local time. The flight was very tiring. First an eight hour flight from Brussels to Washington DC, and then, after passing security and immigration checks, we had to walk all the way through the terminal to get to our gate which of course, was the last one at the end of the terminal, and then another five hour flight from Washington DC to Phoenix.

At the airport we were met by the other Maltese guys from our previous prom and by a guy from Sabena Airline Training Centre who took us to our apartments. I'm now living in "The Springs" at Alta Mesa which is a sort of complex of "luxury" apartments. It took us a while for us to settle in but as days go by, I'm getting used to the place.

I've got a few words to describe the USA so far... BIG, HUGE, INFINITE... Ye, everything's so big over here; the roads are big and wide, the cars are massive (no you won't find any Fiat Punto romaing the sreets here!) everything is big and exaggerated... mind you, even women!! Sorry US citizens but you really need to start working out on your fat bellies ehh!! And no, BigMac's won't help!! Ye, welcome to the US. But so far it's all going well. Thursday was also Thanksgiving Day which is a well known and celebrated holiday here in the US. We "celebrated" it by eating out at a steak house; typical American food, BIG steak, BIG plate... ye you can easily gain on weight over here! But anyway, it was good.

On Friday we had our first day at the school. We had a welcome briefing and oun fingerprints were also taken for the FBI. Now, the FBI will decide whether they will allow me to fly in US airspace!! Yes my fingerprints will actually tell them whether they can trust me or not!! Then again, welcome to the US! We were then taken around the school; administration offices, flight dispatch, the hangar, and then out on the apron!! It was cool going around the aicraft, thinking that in a few days time, I will be flying in one of them! I can't wait to start flying!! We were shown the Diamond DA-20, which is the aircraft I will start flying on! I've got a couple of photos of my first day but I will upload them next time until I get them sorted out. The following are two of them; me and Josef in the DA-20, and me next to a photo of an aircraft I'll be flying in a couple of months!!

Speaking of photos, I have also uploaded some photos of my visit to Malta, with various farewells with friends and families. Click on the album below to see the photos!!

Farewell Malta!!

Anyway, I'm calling it a day today. It was quite a long post but I had to give some updates! Next time I'll upload some photos of my first days in Arizona! I'm now off to sleep because I'm qutie tired and I'm still trying to get into the local time here.

Until next time... take care everyone!

Farewell Malta... miss you all!!

Unfortunately, my short visit to Malta is soon coming to an end and this morning I'm packing up the last few things and by half past noon I'll be at the airport. It's one of those sad moments of course, but at the same time I'm also looking forward to start my flight training. So ye, a day of mixed emotions I would say.

Since my last post, I had more and more meetings and farewells with friends. I really enjoyed all my time here! Thanks to everyone for such great times! I've got some photos and I'll try to upload them as soon as I can when I arrive in Arizona.

I also went out for lunch with my family on Sunday and I really enjoyed it, especially watching my little nephew running about the restaurant! Thanks to my family for a wonderful Sunday afternoon spent together... will surely miss you all!!

Anyway, I better switch off and continue packing! Unfortunately I might not be having internet for a couple of days until I get a connection in Arizona so I probably wouldn't be able to update the blog, reply to e-mails etc. during the first couple of days. I will upload some photos of my visit to Malta as soon as possible.

I'm off... I bid you farewell Malta... farewell my dear friends... farewell my caring and loving family... will miss you all and see you in a couple of months time!!!

Bye bye!!

Greetings from Malta!!

Finally, I'm back on the rock for a couple of days, half of which are already over! I was going to write something as soon as I arrived on Thursday but it was quite late and the only thing I wanted was a good rest in my bed!!

Anyway, first of all, I should write something about the ATPL exams which are now over and done with! Finally I can say that the ground school is truly over once and for all and next week I will start with the second phase of my training... flying... wuhuu!!! I'm really excited about it and can't wait to take off and soar the skies!

Back in Malta, these past few days have been full of meeting with friends, catching up on things and bidding farewell. On Friday I had a meal with a couple of ex-colleagues from my summer job and then I went to meet a couple of friends in Paceville. I had a great evening and enjoyed every minute of it. Yesterday evening I also met some more friends and had another freat evening! Thanks to all those who made the past two days possible ;-) I'll try and post some photos as soon as I can.

Today I went out for lunch with my family; my parents, my sister and her husband and my nearly-two year old nephew, who's growing quite fast I must say! I really miss him! Anyway, it was another great afternoon. This evening I might meet some more friends. So yes this weekend is the weekend of farewells unfortunately! I know I'm going to miss everyone but I'll be back in a few months time!!

Anyway I'm off to see what I'll be doing this evening!! Farewell everyone... Till next time!!

Final days in Belgium...

Today I can say that I'm keeping up to my mid-November resolution of updating the blog more regularly! And finally, finally I can say that ground school is nearing completion and soon I will be starting the second phase of my training... the best phase... flying!!

Exams went pretty well so far. I had Mass & Balance, Flight Planning, Performance, Radio Navigation, General Navigation, Principles of Flight, Human Performance & Limitations, Airframes & Sytems, Instrumentation and Air Law. On Thursday I have the final four; Meteorology, Operational Procedures and VFR & IFR Communications. So yes, today I spent my day trying to understand how clouds form, what is instability in the air... pity it all contributed to my current mental "instability" heh! Actually meteorology is interesting, but rather boring to study. But anyway, it's over in a few days! And finally I also get to visit Malta again!! I'm really looking forward to having a short break before taking off for flight training.

Speaking about Malta, this Friday 21st November, if you happen to know me (duhh you're reading my blog! :-)) and wish to say hi and bid me farewell before going to the "US-and-A" drop by at Ryan's Pub at around 11pm. I would be happy to see a couple of old friends before departing ;-) I'm only staying in Malta for four days but I tried to find some time to meet some people and catch up on things. So see you there!!

In my last post I forgot to mention my recent visit (well... about a month ago) to the Control Tower here at Brussels Airport. It was interesting to see the actual environment of air traffic control and see the people who will one day give me clearance to land in their airport. Below is a photo of me sitting at the ATCO's desk :-) change of job?? Well, air traffic control is interesting... but I'd rather fly ;-) The view is much better... and the office is a bit "higher"!!

Anyway... off to continue studying. I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see a couple of friends in Malta!! Take care everyone!!

DOOH!!! Just remembered I had a blog!!!

So, ok.. it's been like more than two months since my last post, and I must say, I had nearly forgotten I had a blog to update! So I can say that my attempt in keeping an up-to-date blog failed miserably during the past weeks. So here's a little update, together with a little promise to start updating a little bit more often... yes, something like New Year's resolution in mid-November!!

I must say that lots and lots of stuff happened during the past two months. I had a look at my last post and it seemed so long ago! Ye I still had to do my last observation flight to Corfu, something which I did, and which was yet another great experience for me. And yes, I can't wait to be flying on the line! Then I had a short break in Malta, a weekend which I really enjoyed. Next week I should be back there for a couple of days and I'm really looking forward to see my family... especially that cute little nephew of mine!

Anyway, back in Belgium, September was very busy with simulator sessions. Sometimes, I had up to five missions in one week. It was getting tiring, and stressful. But mission after mission, I made it through and my dream of flying in the skies was slowly slowly coming true.

But dreams... well... the word says it all... they're dreams, and they can have the tendency not to become real, and we really have no control over them. But it gets so disappointing, when you beleive so much in a dream, and then everything gets shattered in an instant. I'm not talking about my dream to become a pilot... But yes, other dreams I had, seem to have faded away, and I had no control over it. It did shatter me, and the past weeks weren't at all easy. For some time, I was also feeling bad about being here... and ye I did feel that even my pilot dream was getting shattered at some point... it wasn't an easy time at all.

A week or two ago, I received a card from someone with a short poem and I felt the words were impressive, especially given the circumstances I was facing... I actually thought of writing it down here so here it goes...

Son,
When problems overwhelm you,
Here's a little poem for you to remember...

Carry On

Carry on as I would, Son.
Lay your problems down to rest.
Put all bad times behind you,
And strive to be your best.

Carry on with confidence,
Your hands now hold the reins.
Don't think your talents won't compare,
For my blood runs through your veins.

Carry on with honesty,
You know what's right and fair.
Just call on me when problems strike,
You know that I'll be there.

Carry on the dream, my son.
Let your conscience be your guide.
Remember when you feel alone,
I'm standing by your side.

(Shelley McDaniel)

Obviously, I don't think I have to say who sent the card... quite obvious... but I found the words really impressive... as well as encouraging.

Anyway, show must go on ey... it's not easy but in some way or another, show must go on...

At the end of my simulator sessions I had the checkride, and luckily, I made it through, and perhaps, it was my first achievement in this career. I was glad about it, and it was a boost for me as well. And then came exams, which of course, as with any exams time, is not a very great time! So yes, studying and stress and bored and whatever... so far I had half of the exams and I made it through. Next week, I have the remaining half, so yes I'm still studying and I'm actually quite fed up about it! But hopefully, it will be over in a couple of days time.

So yes, that's about it, a little update finally which brings me to the present day. Next week, if all goes well with exams, I'll have a short break in Malta, which I'm obviously looking forward to! I need a little break, and I need to see my family as well. After this short visit it's seven months away from home, so I do need to spend some time in Malta. Ye, I should be leaving for my flight training in Arizona. I'm looking forward to it but the idea of being away for such a long time is a bit like, worrying as well. But anyway, time will pass and it will be over before I know it!

Anyway, I better conclude now because it's late and I need to get some sleep. But at least I managed to bring my blog a bit up-to-date. I'll try not to let two months pass before writing something again :-p

Well.. I think I'm going to have quite a lot to write about in Arizona... ;-) you're soon cleared for take-off Johnny!!

Till next time!!