The flying club posted my checkride pass on their website.  The picture was taken by my favorite co-pilot, Sara (my wife)

http://desmoinesflyingclub.com/

Sunday afternoon I passed my FAA Checkride and now officially have a Private Pilot Certificate!


I had to actually split my checkride up over 2 days due to weather and plane availability.  I did the ground portion on Friday morning last week and completed the flight portion after church on Sunday.


First Flight - June 17, 2009
First Solo Flight - December 17, 2008
Passed FAA Written Exam - August 28, 2009
Passed FAA Checkride - October 4, 2009


It would have been sooner if it wasn't for Iowa weather in the winter...

Passed my FAA Written Exam today at IKV with an 87.  Now a couple more flights with the instructor and then it is checkride time!

I cannot reply to posts...

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To Whom it May Concern:

I'm writing this letter to share my thoughts regarding the Iowa Barnstormer's Game on Saturday, August 8, 2009 versus the Green Bay Blizzard.

First, let me state that I do NOT condone the conduct of any of the fans during the game, or the events that I'm about to write about.

The conduct by the Green Bay Blizzard coach after the game was absolutely appaling.  The coach responded to a few fans tossing objects on the field after the game by making accuations and going on a profanity laced tirade at not only the fans, but Barnstormers staff.  He then followed up by giving a double fisted "one finger salute" to the entire arena on his way to the locker room.  His wife and an associate also took it upon themselves to interject into the situation and commit battery against a couple fans that were heckling the coach and who actually threw items onto the field.

There are also rumors that the coach in question has burst into locker rooms and made derragtory remarks towards players from other teams and had other altercations.

This type of behavior has no place in any professional sports venue at all.  This conduct is disrespectful to not only the fans, but the Barnstormers Staff, the players, the Green Bay Blizzard, and the af2.  This conduct should not go unanswered by arenafootball2.  There needs to be consequences for his actions.  The league needs to make a stand that this type of conduct will not be tolerated by ANYONE!

If I were a Green Bay Blizzard season ticket holder, I would not renew my season tickets and tell the office that I refuse to renew until the coach is replaced.  If this were the Barnstomers coach, I would have not renewed my season tickets.  I am personally offended by this conduct, and find it an insult to the entire state of Iowa.

Once again, let me say that I do NOT condone the offenders who were thowing things.  However, that by no means justifies the conduct that occured by the Green Bay Blizzard coach, his wife and the unknown associate.

I implore the af2 to contact WHO-TV in Des Moines and obtain the tapes of the said incident and review them.  Pleae act accordingly on the video and ensure that things like this do not occur at af2 games again.

Once I get a suitable internet link, I will post that for all who read this letter.

 

This is the picture I am submitting to the club for my First Solo picture.  We took this one at the DSM Airport this evening.

I came into work this morning and put my 1st Generation Zune (Zune 30) on its dock so I could start working and listening to some music, and my Zune was acting funny.  After about 5 minutes, it was still on the loading screen.  I tried to hard and soft reboot it, but it is stuck.  Just visited Slashdot, and found that there is a huge issue with the Zune 30 models - See http://hardware.slashdot.org/a...sid=08/12/31/1428254 .

The picture is my Zune in its current state.

Today I achieved a milestone in my flight training.  Today was my first solo at IKV (Ankeny Regional Airport), which is north of Des Moines.

We've been trying to do this for a few weeks, but between weather and my instructor having an ear infection, it took until today to get it done.

As we were leaving DSM (Des Moines International Airport), we were treated to the sight of the F-16's out practicing over the airport which was a neat sight.  On the way up to Ankeny, my instructor, Chris, is briefing me on today's flight.  We are to go up to Ankeny and after I give him 3 good touch-and-go's, he would have me land, he would leave the aircraft and let me solo.

We get into the pattern at Ankeny and I line up for the first landing.  I shoot the approach perfectly, remembering checklists and speeds.  I set the plane down and the instructor says "We don't need to do anymore.  Taxi to the ramp.  It is time for you to solo."  We taxi the aircraft to the ramp after doing a little sliding around on a turn.  He goes through and endorses my logbook and my Student Certificate and tells me to do 3-5 touch-and-go's and be back before dark.

He heads for the comfort of the FBO and I prepare to start the engine.  I get the plane going, taxi out and liftoff.  My mind is racing, but I settle into my procedures.  Get to pattern height, go through checklists and set the bird down.  30 minutes later and 5 landings, I taxi back to the ramp.  My solo is complete, and now I let my emotions get me. I get into the FBO, my hands are shaking and a huge smile on my face

On the way back to Des Moines, Chris decided he wanted to ride in the left seat and have me fly the plane from the right side.  The only difference besides the perspective is the lack of an electric trim tab.  I wasn't holding the centerlines as well on the taxiways, but I've never flown the aircraft from the right seat.  Takeoff was fun, and we start lining up to shoot the approach to DSM to return to base and I touched down a bit to the right, not my best landing of the day, but it was still good considering I was flying from the other seat.

December 17, 2008 - First Solo Flight in N2974N at Ankeny Regional Airport, Iowa (IKV)


I'll have some photos later when we get a picture and post it on the club website.

I have been away a lot lately.  It has been a busy year.  I've been traveling something fierce this year.  Been spending sometimes 2-3 weeks straight in hotels.

Another thing that has been occupying my time is I recently started my Private Pilot's License.  I've been taking lessons in a Piper Archer II.  So far, I have a few flights under my belt, and I'm taking care of some administrative stuff to get that started such as security clearance, club membershiip, and FAA physical.

I have a great flight instructor, and he is patient, but lets me have some fun.  Flying for me is a great diversion from the daily grind at the office, and allows me to cear my head and relax.

Stay tuned for more adventures from the friendly skies over Des Moines.

Yesterday, we nearly set a record high.  Today is a different story.

Last week, if you saw my previous post, it was -12 in the morning.  Yesterday it was 54.  Take a look at the graphic attached - it is nearly 0 and we had blowing snow with 30-50mph winds today!!

That -50 in Iowa is home for me!!

http://subzero.groupee.com/dis...nt/69671749048246308