I am interrupting my "How to Become a Pilot" series to share some awesome photos of weather conditions we've seen around the Valley lately. Awesome to see from a far... extremely hazardous to fly through for any type of aircraft.
This first one is a rain storm/microburst. Microbursts are dangerous and cannot always be seen with your eyes. They are basically a strong downdraft in a thunderstorm. When a plane flies through a microburst, a central space will literally push the plane downwards...almost like someone punches it down from up above. The danger doesn't stop there. When the air is pushed downwards like that it sort of spills out...the way water does when you turn your kitchen sink on. This spillover causes damaging winds on or near the ground.
Rain Storm/Microburst on July 18, 2016 near South Mountain in Phoenix
Unfortunately, before we had the technology to better detect microbursts in 1985, Delta Flight 191 flew into a microburst just before landing. You can watch the story here (NOT for those who have a fear of flying!). The plane was already too low to recover from the downdraft forces, and the microburst outflow and inflow forces caused the plane to crash before the pilots could recover. As a result, 137 people were killed and 27 survived. As is with every crash in aviation, new regulations and technology are created to avoid similar scenarios in the future. That's why flying today is so safe. After the tragedy of Delta Flight 191, technology advancements were made and now aircraft are equipped with doppler technology to better detect these conditions and avoid them.
Learning from these tragedies is something I so admire about the aviation industry. Whether a crash involves a human factor or not, flight crews study these historical occurrences to learn from them. Even the medical world has learned from the way aviation approaches its operations to help decrease the number of deaths...by implementing the use of checklists and team approaches. The area they could probably grow in is when a preventable death does occur, allowing it to be made known for other MDs to learn from...instead of keeping it silent through all those non-disclosure agreements.
As for me, this storm was obviously easy to spot and we kept our distance!
After you become a Private Pilot, it's time to learn how to fly in the clouds! Getting your Instrument Rating is the next step. Even if you're flying for pleasure the instrument rating is great to have, but it definitely comes at an additional cost. If you've decided you'd like to make aviation into a career, this is a must have!
Instrument Flight
Isn't it amazing that we have the technology to fly without seeing outside? Instrument flight is when pilots fly by reference to their instruments. To simulate this, students go "under the hood" so they cannot use outside visual references. When nearing an airport, pilots use an approach procedure (as pictured) to safely descend out of the clouds to make a visual landing.
The training to become instrument rated includes further training on:
Air Traffic Control Clearances & Procedures
Flight by Reference to Instruments (obviously)
Navigation Systems
Instrument Approach Procedures (pictured)
Emergency Operations
The Six Pack
In an airplane, you have six basic instruments... aka the "six pack." They include:
Airspeed Indicator (PS)
Attitude Indicator (G)
Altimeter (PS)
Vertical Speed Indicator (PS)
Heading Indicator (G)
Turn Coordinator (G)
Three instruments are a part of the Pitot (not a typo, pronounced: pee-toh) Static Pressure System (PS) and three are Gyro (G) Instruments.
After you initially learn how to fly using only these instruments...enter: emergency scenarios. This is when an instructor simulates the failure of flight instruments and you have to compensate and continue to fly the aircraft safely, on the correct heading and altitude with a partial instrument panel. So much of training is simulating emergencies and learning how to recover or maintain safe flight!
Like Private Pilot training, once you complete your training, written exam, and are endorsed to take your check ride, you will complete a flight and oral exam with an examiner (new standards here). The next post in this series about How to Become a Pilot will overview the other common licenses and ratings you need before you are employable and can start earning money with your skills.
Personal Update...Promoted!
An exciting piece of news to share on my journey is that I was recently promoted to Check Airman. It is definitely an honor and something I feel proud about as all the other Check Airmen are well respected and great pilots! I will continue in my role as an instructor, responsible for X number of students, but now I will also assist in assessing students at major checkpoints--called "progress checks." In the short time I have been assessing, I have been able to recognize more about how I can grow as an instructor. Here's some recent pictures from work:
One of my students passed his Private Pilot check ride! = 1 Bar.
Promoted! Exchanging the 3 bar epaulettes for the 4 Bars with friend Chad.
A common question from friends and family about my aviation career is: how does someone become a pilot? What is the typical path? How much does it
Artwork by Sara Pimental aka Wifey
cost? Where do you train? What qualifies you to fly passengers? When can you fly for a commercial airline? These are a lot of the same questions I had when considering the career. This is the first post of a new blog series in which I will aim to answer some of these questions.
For many people, the lure of flying starts in childhood. But that doesn't have to be your story! I never even considered flying a small plane for profession or pleasure until I was well into my education career.
5 Steps to Private Pilot
Think of it this way: your driver's license is to driving, as your private pilot's license is to flying. Whether you want to fly for pleasure or professionally, this is where you should start.
Let's start with the basics: Are you at least 16 years old? Are you fluent in English? Will your background check be free of drug or alcohol related crimes? If so, you're on track!
1. Get Your Medical Certificate
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure you're fit to fly. You need to schedule a physical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area. This will alert you to any conditions that might disqualify you from being a private pilot before you pay for any lessons (some disqualifying conditions: certain heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, personality disorder, any indication of substance abuse, etc.) This really isn't just a suggestion, you have to have your official Medical Certificate with you when flying. So get it now! *You could do this AFTER a demo flight*
2. Schedule a Demo Flight
Now it starts to get fun. If you've never been in a small plane, you'll want to see if General Aviation (GA) is right for you. The aircraft are small and loud... but so much fun to operate! Some of the training you'll do will induce that feeling you get when riding on a roller coaster.
Where? Most Fixed-Base Operators (FBO) offer this type of experience. Do a Google search for: Learn to Fly in (your city). You'll find some good information that way. Here are my recommendations if you live in one of the following areas:
Twin Cities: Schedule an Intro Flight at Thunderbird Aviation. They have two locations: Eden Prairie and Crystal, MN. This is where I did all my flight training, in partnership with Academy College.
Phoenix: Inquire about an Intro Flight at Westwind School of Aeronautics. This is where I currently work as an instructor.
Pick a beautiful day, invite some family or friends (up to two) to come and sit in the back seat, have them bring a camera, and if you decide it's not for you...at least you got a scenic tour out of it!
3. Choose Your Own Adventure
(Remember those books?) Assuming you are as excited as I was and want to learn to fly, you need to decide how. Training as a civilian typically happens one of two ways: via Part 61 or Part 141 guidelines. The main difference? Part 141 schools have more FAA oversight and rigid schedules. Part 61 is considered more of a self-paced and flexible option. Either route trains you to pass the same practical and written exams. Do some homework and make the choice that's right for you.
4. Study, Fly, Repeat!
The great thing about training is that the curriculum for learning to fly--Part 61 or 141--is so concrete! You'll start your training with ground and flight lessons from your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). This is usually a 1:1 student:teacher ratio! The best thing about your first license is that there is so much new and "basic" information to learn about flying. It truly is fun. Some things you'll learn about include:
Areas of Operation
Preflight Procedures
Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds
Performance Maneuvers
Ground Reference Maneuvers
Navigation
Slow Flight & Stalls
Basic Maneuvers
Emergency Ops
Night Operation (see video below)
If you are able to fly 2-3 times per week, it should only take you about 4 months to get to the check ride (and approximately $7-10K). Although I took the Part 141 route, I was only able to train part-time or on the weekends. It took me about 5 months to complete my Private Pilot's License and 58.2 flight hours (To see my cost breakdowns, visit my Training Costs page). I trained while maintaining three other jobs...so you can do it too!
5. Examination
Does it sound intimidating? It is. First, you have to pass a "written" test. This is a computer based knowledge exam. Here's an example of some of the questions you'd see:
Once you pass your written, it's time to schedule the Check Ride. The check ride consists of two parts: an oral exam and a practical (flight) exam; in total the exam could take up to ten hours! The exam is one on one with an FAA Designated Examiner. Bring water because cotton mouth is guaranteed. You will be tested on the FAA's Private Pilot Practical Test Standards, which is what your training prepares you for. But literally anything in the linked document above is fair game. It's a lot! As it should be.
So, Congratulations! Once you pass your check ride you are a Private Pilot! Whether owning or renting an aircraft, you can now enjoy getting from point A to point B in a straight line with no car traffic, you can fly to other airports for a $100 Burger, fly up north to your lake home, enjoy scenic flights with friends, and so many other possibilities!
That's it: five steps. You should do one of the first two in the next month if you're really interested! If you're fit to fly and enjoy a challenge--you will love learning to fly. Subscribe to my blog by entering your e-mail to the right so you won't miss my next post in this "How To Become a Pilot" series!
Saving lives? Well at least some trees. Today on an IFR cross country flight, after departing Winslow airport, 43 miles south of the Winslow VOR I reported this fire to Phoenix approach control. We were the first to report it, and I was able to share approximate size and location of the fire.
Listening to NPR recently, I've learned that multiple municipal fire departments are in the negative on their budgets due to the high number of fires already this season. I can hear an inner voice saying... only YOU can prevent wildfires!
What's the most unusual thing you've seen from the sky? Share by commenting below!
Today was pretty special when I really think about it. Sara and I are in Wisconsin this weekend to visit family with Isaac. I've been wanting to take up Tim on a flight, who has been like a dad to me since high school. We also had Kayshawn staying with us this weekend and he's never been in a small airplane, so it was a pretty fun experience for everyone. I went early to FDL Skyport (Fon du Lac, WI) to complete the checkout process of renting one of their aircraft (since I don't have my own!). We flew around the area and I flew Tim over his house in Ripon. We got Sara, Laurie and Isaac to step outside and wave to us too. Good memory that I won't forget anytime soon! Commercial check ride approaching...
There is nothing like flying in the midwest in the summer. Today I went on a cross country flight to Madaline Island (4R5). First island I've ever landed on! It's gotta be the only island in the whole midwest...right? I wish I had time to get out and explore... I hope to come back with Sara sometime. I also flew up to 10,500 feet today. Never flown that high before. Pretty neat! That's all.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to rent a plane from Thunderbird, where I train as a student, to take a couple of my friends on a scenic flight around the cities. It was a great day to fly. Eric and Laura are soon going to be moving out of the country to use their skills as a nurse (Laura) and an English Language Teacher (Eric) within community development. I can't take credit for these, but Laura got some neat pictures.
Whenever I drive home from the airport after a lesson I call my wife to debrief. I told her how difficult it was for me to hear ATC on the radio...more than just learning to speak 'aviation'. My instructor told me I needed a new headset, I had been borrowing the loaner headset from behind the dispatch counter. Conversation faded, Sara and I hung up, and as I turned the corner to arrive home Sara was waiting at the curb. She hopped in the car and said, "we're going to the mall." I asked, "what for?" As if it were no big deal she said, "You need a new headset, we're going to the Bose store." We went for the 0% interest payment plan to break down the cost over the next year. Can't wait to put them to use! Look a little groggy in this picture, but super excited.
For the past couple years, I've been working as a part-time Phy Ed teacher by day, a coach by evening, and a Residence Life Coordinator by night. My wife and I live on our college campus where I now supervise a group of RAs. I am compensated with housing for my job at the college, and my wife is also working full-time as a teacher.
One night last school year after a meeting at the college, one of my RAs, Conor, hung back to chat with me. He was an amazing student, great baseball player, and top notch RA with his eyes set on law school post graduation. He told me he was considering becoming an airline pilot. Wow! I thought. Tell me more. He went on to explain to me what he new about the industry, the process of becoming an airline pilot, and the airline pilot shortage that we are just on the brink of as baby boomers hit the mandatory retirement age of 65. He said he went on a demo flight and loved it. I told him to keep me posted and then walked back down the dorm room halls to my home. My wife and I probably had a conversation about how to keep a handful of middle schoolers from doing nothing in gym class (that is, to try to get them to at least do something), and I probably mentioned Conor's demo flight experience and how I thought it was cool, and then we probably ate dinner at 9pm and then we probably went to bed.
A week later, Sara had scheduled a demo flight for me. I was so excited to go up in a small plane. I could literally count on one hand the number of times I had been in any airplane. Unfortunately, the day of the flight came and the pilot called me to say that the clouds were too low and we wouldn't be able to make it work. I was disappointed. He tried to reschedule but it was a busy season for us, so I dropped it.
Me, Sara, Auntie Terri & Uncle Darwin
This past summer, Sara and I went on vacation in Hawaii, visiting our friends. We shared a lot of good conversations with our hosts who became fast friends. I shared with Auntie Terri the story about Conor and his choice to pursue an airline pilot career and how Sara immediately booked a demo flight for me but it all fell through. I was sharing the story in the context of how encouraging Sara can be. Then all of a sudden, Auntie Terri started to sound just like her. You'd be a great pilot, John! Uncle Darwin and Auntie Terri have some close friends who are pilots and they offered to connect me to a mentor in the industry. I thought that was kind. Then we got ready for a camping adventure with our friends. Flying was out of sight, out of mind.
Not a week after we had returned to Minnesota from our vacation, Sara had scheduled another demo flight for me. Last month on August 7th, 2013 I took my first flight. And that is where this story begins...
