A week on the ground...

Heya!!

Today I realised I haven't updated this blog for more than a week, so it's about time I give some updates. I wasn't at all busy with flying during the past week. My last flight was on Friday 19th. December, so it's been quite a while now. I'm flying again tomorrow and I hope I'll manage to get back to normal as soon as possible. It's not healthy to spend so many days without any flying, especially knowing I have to improve those landings! Yep, last time I had a couple of hard landings unfortunately, so I'll hope to improve them tomorrow. I also visited William's Gateway Airport last time, where I made some traffic patterns alongside some departing 707's! Anyway, we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

This week I also uploaded some photos of my first few days in Arizona. I know I had to upload them before but I've got quite a lot of photos to sort out. (And really, I'm not the type to get things done immediately ey! :-p ) Here's the link to the album.

First few days in Arizona

During the past week, I found some time to go a bit around the place; (which adds to more and more photos to be uploaded). On Sunday, we visited the Commemorative Air Force Museum which is here in Mesa. It was a great day and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's a museum full of old aircraft, some of which are also in flying condition. Below are two photos, one with a P-51 Mustang and the other on the rear side guns of the B-17 Flying Fortress (which is also in flying condition) We also got to know about another aviation museum in Tucson, which I want to visit one day.

The day before, on Saturday, we went to a place called 'Fountain Hills'. There's a huge fountain which goes off every hour, and overall it's quite a nice relaxing place. As regards Christmas, (btw, Merry Christmas to everyone... belated I know, but better late than never :-p ), basically I spent Christmas here with some of my mates. We went to Midnight Mass together (for a change, I slept) and then had Christmas Breakfast here together. On Christmas Day we also made a meal here together, so basically I spent my Christmas at our flat with my friends. But I enjoyed it. The day after Christmas, we went to the Apache Trail, which is a road going through mountains and valleys, with very nice scenic views. We spent a whole day there and we only managed to see part of the whole trail. So we might go again one day. Below is a photo of me out there.On Sunday we went to a theme park called 'Castle Coasters'. It was fun, even though the rides weren't so 'thrilling'. There was also a go-kart race (which was too slow, but still fun). We enjoyed it. In the evening, I discovered that I wasn't flying on Monday (today) and so I decided to go to 'Out of Africa' with Josef. It's a wildlife preserve with a lot of animals running around (behing fences of course!!). There was a sort of Safari tour around some animals and it was great. There also was a show, 'Tiger Splash', with tigers playing around in a pond of water. And, there was also a 'Giant Snake Show' which I thought it wasn't a very good idea at first :-) But ye actually we ended near two big 'friendly' snakes. Below are two photos; one at 'Castle Coasters' and the other at 'Out of Africa'.

So, that was a bit of an update of what happened during the past week. I have loads of photos to sort out which I'll try to do as soon as possible. I need to get them organised in different albums on PicasaWeb. I'm also going to be away for New Year's Eve. We're going to Las Vegas!! So, not to be late again, Happy New Year to all of you in advance!! I'm off now because tomorrow I have to wake up early o prepare for my flight

Till next time!!

Weather cancellations... but the skies are clear again

Hey there!

Things are getting quite busy over here. This week I was scheduled to fly everyday but unfortunately the weather wasn't quite good. In fact, on Tuesday I had my flight cancelled. Visibility and cloud ceiling were low and so I had to stay on the ground. I was pissed off because I had waken up at 5am since I was scheduled to fly at 0730 and then I had to cancel my flight. And I really wanted to fly!

I got back to flying yesterday but the weather wasn't so good either. Yesterday I made some S-turns and turns around a point as well as a sort of traffic pattern on a road so as to practice for the actual patterns at airfields. And today was the day for touch and go's. I took off from Falcon Field and stayed in the pattern and did some nine touch and go's. The first few landings were quite hard but they got better by the end. However, I have to get my approaches stabilised because they were too flimsy! By the end of the flight, the ride became more and more bumpy with clouds closing in. But it was great and I enjoyed it as always! I'm flying again tomorrow and the weather is now back to normal so hopefully tomorrow I'll go to Mesa Gateway Airport for some touch and go's there. Gateway is an airport with three infinite runways, with big birdies landing there. So it should be fun. I'm really looking forward to it.

I think that was all as regards flying. Tuesday we decided to go to a shooting range nearby and shoot a couple of rounds. It's incredible here; you just go, rent a lane, a firearm, buy ammo an targets and you're all good to go and shoot. We had a great time and I'll go another time for sure. I actually discovered a sort of "hidden" talent in me hehe. I actually got the aim right!! So beware if you ever get in my sights ;-) heh!! Below are some pictures.

Anyway, I'm off to sleep because I actually have to wake up very soon for my flight!! I have to take the 6am van... take-off at 0715. Hope everyone's doing great!! Till next time!!

First Landing!! Still alive to tell the tale :-)

Hello everyone!

I had two more flights since my first flight and today I also did my first landing! As you can see, I'm still alive... no injuries, no damages :-) It wasn't bad, but quite far from a soft landing. Well, practice makes perfect and I wasn't expecting my first landing to be smooth!

In these last two missions, I practiced steep turns, slow flight, trying to track over a road, crabbing and side slipping in the wind, stalls and other basic flying stuff. Slow flight today was quite cool, especially when turning. It feels like you're coasting freely above a point. Stalls were great as well but rather a bit "uneasy" until I got the feel of it. Steep turns were better last time so I have to try and improve them. And radio communications are getting along quite well as well (apart from one minor glitch of calling the dispatch frequency with a practice area call! Ye I can't imagine the flight dispatcher's face hehe)

But ye, overall, I'd say "so far, so good." I'm really enjoying flying. Before the flights I'm always thinking "Let's go flying! Let's go flying!" Up there it's just great. You people on earth are really missing something! :-p

Below are some pictures of today's flight. First one is me taxiing to the runway for departure on N4110R, and second one is me taking off!

I'm really looking forward to fly again and I'm scheduled to fly tomorrow morning (that's in eight hours time!) but most probably the flight will be cancelled due to weather! What?! Here in Arizona?! Yes unfortunately, the weather isn't too good here at the moment. Today it was very cloudy with low cloud ceiling and tomorrow it is forecasted to be worse. So most probably I'll have to end up cancelling the flight. This is the current TAF for William's Gateway Airport, (which is very close to Falcon Field)

KIWA 160548Z 1606/1706 10007KT P6SM VCSH SCT045 BKN060 OVC100
FM161200 12006KT 6SM -RA SCT020 BKN030 OVC060
TEMPO 1614/1618 3SM SHRA SCT005 BKN010 OVC030
FM162200 22006KT P6SM -RA SCT030 BKN050 OVC070
FM170300 27005KT P6SM VCSH SCT040 BKN070 BKN100 LTD TO CLD VIS AND WIND TIL 161300

Basically that's a lot of letters and numbers which says that at the scheduled time of my departure, visibility can be as low as three statute miles with clouds as low as 500 feet above ground level. If the weather forecasting is right (which normally is), I'll be staying on the ground tomorrow unfortunately! But anyway we'll see how it goes.

I'm off to sleep now! I still need to get some rest and I still have to wake up early! Till next time!!

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!!