FlyingJohnny is now FLYINGjohnny!!

This has got to be one of the "historic" posts... why?
Because... I'm finally up in the air... I'm FLYING!!!

Yep... I had my first flight yesterday and there's one word to describe it... AMAZING!! Finally I witnessed for real what flying really is. Really, I think I can't actually describe the real feeling I had up there. It just feels great... you're free... floating freely in mid-air... as if nothing and no one can bug you... up there, it's just you and your aircraft (well and your flight instructor telling you to watch your altitude speed etc. heh!) But ye, it's one great sensation!

I was really excited and looking forward to my first flight. I went quite early to the Flight Dispatch to get things done as early as possible. I went through the weather briefing and prepared the mass and balance and performance documentation. I then met my flight instructor who gave me a short briefing of what we will be doing during our first flight together. He would do the take-off and landing (first time ey!!) and then I would fly to the south-east practice area for some turns, climbs and descents and familiarisation with the area. We picked up the aircraft keys from dispatch and off we went to our aircraft, N4107A. We performed a walkaround together and the little birdie seemed good enough to fly. And then, it was time to get in the cockpit and kick off!! I plugged in my headset, sat in the cockpit and my instructor helped me out with the cockpit flows (which I still had not yet studied well!)

Engine startup... few rounds and the engine came to life!! Then came the first radio call... "Sabena Dispatch, Diamond 4107A is leaving the ramp..." For some time, I couldn't really beleive I was actually going up in the air! Then, a taxi clearance to the run-up area, then to runway 04R and... "Diamond 4107A cleared for take-off, runway 4 right..." Full power and off we went! I was finally in the air! After take-off, the instructor gave me the controls and we proceeded to the South-East Practice Area. I couldn't beleive I was actually flying... for real!! But I was! I then performed some basic turns, climbs and descents and the instructor also showed me some visual reference points on the ground. We flew for about an hour, but really time passed so quickly up there!

We flew back towards Falcon Field where I handed over the controls to my instructor. He performed the landing and then we taxied back to our parking position. My first flight was over. Later on I had a de-briefing with my instructor and he signed my logbook. I now have my first flying hour for real!! Below is a photo of me and my instructor taxiing back to our parking position after the flight. Thanks to Andre' for the photos!!

And now, I can finally say it myself...

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return"

It is a quote attributed nearly everywhere to Leonardo Da Vinci. Some dismiss this however, including an expert on Leonardo Da Vinci (according to http://www.spacequotations.com/). Whoever said it, I think it's true...

And now... next flight, tomorrow (or rather today now) 12th December at 1115 local time (1915 Malta time). Obviously, I'm looking forward to it... I want to fly!!

Till next time!!
FLYINGjohnny!!

Delayed on the ground... but tomorrow we take off!!

Hi all!

After several delays and delays, and more delays, the big day has finally arrived! Tomorrow, I should start flying!! Wuhuuu!!! Finally, we beat gravity and take off to the skies!!

I was so anxious to start flying this week but at first it seemed we were never going to get started! I was getting annoyed hearing "maybe" and "but" all the time! Now that I'm here, I just want to fly ey! But finally, I was given a date and time, and a plane, and hopefully it won't change and so, I'll start flying.

I should be taking off at 1145 local time and the first birdie to take me to the air should be N4107A, a Diamond DA-20. Most of the flight will be a demo by the instructor and I will only have the controls for a short time when airborne. But it's the start, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Anyway, that was a short post for today because I'm soon going to sleep. I need a good rest! I hope everyone's doing well down there on the little rock. Over here, things are going pretty well so far, and tomorrow they should get better! I'm finally flying!! Anyway, I'm off to sleep!! I'll try upload some photos as soon as I can!!

Take care everyone!! Till next time!!

First week in Arizona

Hello all!!

A week has already passed since I arrived here in Arizona. Well, a week and two days to be exact. I wanted to update this blog earlier but I wanted to get some pictures organised before posting, something which I still have to do. Besides, I also had some problems with my laptop, which are now hopefully fixed.

During this week, we were supposed to have a number of briefings in order to get ready to fly but... surprise surprise, the whole briefings schedule was messed up! Why?! Organisation... as usual. But you know, "these things do happen sometimes." So yes, most of our briefings were cancelled, which left us with quite an empty week as regards our training. We were told we will be having these briefings during the weekend. So tomorrow, Saturday, we'll be having these briefings. We were supposed to start flying as early as next Monday and hopefully we'll get these briefings done so that I can finally start flying.

The week was still busy however. We got a car, a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu, and so we had quite a number of stuff to settle. And then I also had to fix my laptop. In the meantime, I also found some time to go enjoy the pool and jacuzzi... busy ey?!

Anyway, it's 2230 here and I'm really tired today so I'm calling it a day. Tomorrow I have to be up by 7am and I better rest. I hope I'll get some pictures sorted by next time!

Take care everyone!!

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!!

One week to the rock!!

Nearly another two weeks have passed since my last post. August was very very busy so far and September is going to be worse! Since my last post, we had three progress tests in all, instrumentation, piston engines and air law again. I did well but now we have too many tests, coupled with the preparation for simulator sessions and so we're quite tight and the situation is somewhat stressfull. And the school makes it even more stressfull! Planning is hopeless.

Anyway, I also had another simulator session last week and I did quite well in that. I had NDB interceptions and tracking and another ILS approach. Today I have another session, this time with VOR interceptions and a VOR approach. We'll see how it goes!!

This Saturday I will also do my third observation flight with Thomas Cook. I will go to Corfu!! Obviously I'm looking forward to it. Observation flights are quite motivating; meeting the crew, being in the cockpit, watching everything going on... it's cool :-) So yep, Saturday is an early morning wake up because by 0415 I have to be at the crew room. The departure is at 0600! Below is a photo of the stunning approach in Corfu... pretty nice isn't it?! Credit to Airliners.net and the photographer of course.

But the most thing I'm looing forward to next week is... Malta!! Yep finally I have a weekend off and so I'm able to go down to Malta, and see my family and my girlfriend Ingrid. I miss you loads and can't wait to see you again! Just one week to go!! I do need a break, and I'm in desperate need of Malta, my family, and my girlfriend! One week to go...

Anyway thats just about it for today. I'm off to prepare for my simulator session. Hope everything goes well!!

Till next time! Malta... see you soon!

News from the land of boredom...

Hey there!

Ye I know... it's been nearly three weeks since my last update on this blog! I haven't yet written anything in August and we're already in the middle of the month! Well there are only a few words to describe the past three weeks... BUSY and BORING!!

The past weeks were full of tests. We had performance, meteo, principles of flight and next week we have instrumentation and piston engines, with air law in the following week. So yes, it's a hell with studying at the moment. So far I did well in tests, but as from next week, I'm not going to give them anymore priority. I have to concentrate on the simulator sessions now. They're more important, and in life you have to set your priorities right when you're overloaded with work!

Talking about simulator sessions, about two months ago we were promised that we have to fly at least once every week! But here's the contradiction, my last sim session had been on the 27th of July!! Yes that's three weeks ago... no match for the promised "you need to fly once every week." Luckily this week I had one on Wednesday. At first it felt horrible, after three weeks without any flying, and the instructor pointed that out as well. The thing is, the instructors themselves emphasize how important it is to fly frequently, but the school doesn't do anything about it!! But anyway, on the whole it was quite good considering the long undesired break I had from the sim.

What else happened in the past three weeks... aah yes we had no hot water for three weeks over here... surprise... and we also got the split of the groups to go to the USA and I'm in group A! Departure date to the USA should be around the 24th of November... at least that's what they promised, but then again... promises should be taken with a pinch of salt!

I would also like to say a big welcome back to my girlfriend after spending a month in Egypt!! I wish I was there to greet you back :-( I'm glad you enjoyed your experience and I can't wait to see you again. I really miss you! My parents arrive from their well deserved holiday as well today, so welcome back to you too. I hate it not being there :-(

Ye unfortunately that's the worst thing I have to endure over here; being away from my girlfriend, my family and my friends! I miss you all, and much as I'm looking forward to start flying in Arizona and all that, I'm mostly looking forward to finish off this course once and for all and be back in Malta for good. It's tough being away from your closest ones! I was really looking forward to go down to Malta in August but, we were not allowed!! That doesn't do any help of course. It only increases the boredom and lowers your moral!! (which at the moment is quite down)

Anyway, I better go and continue reading Piston Engines.

Till next time!!