100 Hours!

Today, a friend and I flew to Ryan Field (KRYN) in Tucson for breakfast. The flying was great. One thing that was significant about my flight was that I now have over 100 hours as a pilot. Since I started flying last December, I have accumulated over 100 flight hours. I really don’t think there is any significance to this fact other than it was sort of a personal milestone. In my honest opinion, I’m always going to be a “low-time” pilot because there will always be people with more hours.

There was a low pressure system coming in from California and there were high cirrus clouds at FL250 but visibility was greater than 10 miles and winds were light and variable. The air was smooth and the temperature was right around 60 degrees at altitude. Not much to note about the flight except that my friend with whom I flew was also a pilot.

There is something funny about flying with other pilots – other than flying with a CFI or DPE, flying with pilot in your right seat is always nerve-racking. It probably keeps me on my toes to an extent; but, I feel like all of my actions are being scrutinized. Unfortunately for my fragile ego, there is no VASI or PAPI on RWY 6L at KRYN - my approach was high and subsequent arrival (not necessarily a landing) was firm (at least, that was the excuse I made for the arrival). My pilot passenger was politely quiet as we taxied to the restaurant.

I know that the times when I’ve ridden shotgun in some of my friends’ planes I compare their actions to my own –whether it’s the way they pre-flight, run-up, when they put the flaps in, how wide they fly in the pattern, their radio technique, etc. Maybe it’s a case of, “what goes around, comes around.” Maybe it’s paranoid. Anyhow, it doesn’t detract from the experience of flying. Lest I forget that there are few people in this great country who have earned the privilege of being a pilot.

Wisdom from a 100-hour pilot.

Flight time: 2.0

Total time: 101.6

More Cross Country - back to Ryan

Today I wanted to go cross country. I wanted to head down to Tombstone but there was a fire in the area and I wanted to stay clear of the area... So I went back to Ryan for a quick hop. On the way back, I saw 2 F-16 fly across my windscreen at an incredibly high rate of speed! That was cool (Tucson Approach told me they were coming). They were far enough away that I never felt their wake turbulence but close enough to have some fun watching them scream by!

Flight time: 2.1

Total time: 84.7

I'm a Pilot!

Now that I'm a Pilot, I need to start building up some cross country time in preparation for my instrument rating. Today I decided that I would fly up to Sedona. I looked at the weather and it was looking pretty windy up there so I decided to head South down to Ryan Field.

This was a very different flight. I had no maneuvers to practice. Nothing to remember for my oral exam. The only thing I had to do was safely fly the plane to Ryan Field and get some breakfast!

Besides my first flight, this was the best flight ever. This flight had no purpose other than for me to do something I actually love. Fly. I actually noticed some of the landscape around me. Took in the 50 mile visibility and cleared my head! What a great flight!

Since I had not been the the restaurant at Ryan, I asked the ground controller for a progressive to the restaurant. He told me that would be easy - just follow the blue line. Next to the yellow center line on the taxiway, there is a blue line too. Apparently the blue like takes you right to the restaurant! I like that plan! Had an egg sandwich and the best home fries ever!

Got back in the plane and flew back to Mesa. I was having so much fun that I felt like the time passed too quickly. It was a great day!

Flight time: 2.2

Total time: 78.1

Solo Cross Country

Today I had my first solo cross country. RC approved my flight plan and the weather checks out. What am I waiting for?

I planned for Ryan Field (KRYN) and was just going to go down and back. Its about 85nm each way. Since the airport at which I am based is underneath Phoenix Class B airspace, we spend a lot of time knowing where the shelves are located and at what altitudes they are located. The biggest concern about my flight today was to avoid the Class B airspace and I had to transition the Class D airspace at KIWA and KCHD.

The flight was uneventful. I had requested flight following and, as always, Phoenix Approach, Albuquerque Center, and Tucson Approach were all very accommodating. The winds were a little gusty when I got down to Ryan.

Funny how you're so focused on the task at hand, you forget to enjoy it sometimes...

Note to self: Have more fun on the next cross country.

Flight time: 1.4

Total time: 65.0