Second Flight Lesson

I was so excited about last weeks flight I decided to plan this weeks flight an hour earlier! I couldnt wait to start flying again and the faster I was able to the happier I am. Last lesson Trevor and I flew in a 2004 Cessna Skyhawk 172SP. 

I really liked flying this plane because it felt new and had all new gauges. After my previous lesson I realized that the 2004 Skyhawk would cost about $30 more per hour to fly and decided to fly an older plane that cost less. Today we flew in a 1983 Cessna Skyhawk 172P which, is a much older plane but still was able to maneuver the same way as a newer Skyhawk. Flying the older plane is great because I still get the same training but save money which means I can fly more!

Trevor still handled radio communications and I was able to taxi and help takeoff. Once we reached the practice area we went over Climbs, Descents, and slow flight. I really enjoyed practiving slow flight because when you are at low speeds I felt it was very easy to keep the plane stable. You use your power to regulate the altitude of the plane and your pitch to regulate the speed of the plane.

If I want to raise the altitude all you do is give it more power but continue to hold the same pitch and if you want to increase speed you just push the control wheel forward slightly. We continued practicing slow flight for a little and then Trevor had me practice a power off glide. What I didnt know is that a plane is able to continue to fly quite the distance without any power to the engine. We would adjust our pitch to fly at 68 KIAS and were still able to reach the nearest airport. This flight was about 1 hour and I wish we could have extended it. After landing Trevor and I went over the things we will work on next flight. I cant wait until we can get into the air again. 

As Always Fly Safe

Chris E

Choosing your Instructor

Some say the most important part of flight training is your instructor. There are plenty of instructors out there and all have a different way of teaching whether its a Part 141 Program or Part 61 Program. Make sure you ask instructors about their experiences flying. The best question I asked my instructor was "What is your goal in aviation". My instructor replied with "I plan on becoming a commercial pilot" which, is the same path I plan on taking. Having an instructor with the same goals is a great experience because, they are able to help guide you in the same direction that they have already learned.

Many students are paired with an instructor but, later down the road decide that they do not work well with that CFI. Try your best to feel out the instructor beforehand so that you do not have problems down the road. If you dont feel right then get a new instructor.

When I first started training my dad would tell me that I needed a new instructor based on his experiences with his instructor. My dads experiences and my experiences are completely different. I happen to love working with my instructor but for my dad it would not be a great fit. 

It is ok to tell a flight school manager you need another instructor their job is to make sure you are happy with the program. They will do their best to pair you with an instructor that can fit your needs throughout training.

Lastly, If an instructor has a pass rate of 100% that does not mean they are a good instructor. Also an instructor with 50% pass rate does not mean they are a bad instructor. There are many factors to consider when choosing an instructor and the best thing you can do is ask questions.

Thanks and Fly Safe

Chris E

First Real Lesson

2 Years since my first introductory flight I decided to take the leap and commit to flight school. I decided to fly out of my "home" airport that I grew up near KCMA ( Camarillo, CA ) and I have been meeting with Sarah the flight school manager at CIA over the past couple weeks.

Sarah and I have decided that I would be training under the part 141 training program. ( I will explain 141 vs 61 in another post). Sarah paired me with my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) Trevor and we planned to start at 10:30 am Monday.

I was excited and nervous the weekend before my first flight but, knew once I started it will be hard to stop. Since it has been a long time since the intro at Justice Aviation I needed to start fresh from the beginning. I met with Trevor Monday and we hit it off immediately. Trevor and I sat down to go over what we will be learning in the part 141 course. He explained to me what we will be practicing for the first couple lessons and we went out to the plane to start flying. Similar to my intro flight Trevor had me read the Pre-Flight checklist while he explained to me why we check each and every part of the plane before takeoff. After the Pre-Flight I once again was able to taxi to the runway and once cleared Trevor lifted the plane off the ground.

Trevor showed me how to fly strait and level and we practiced turns. We also practiced climbs, descents, and climbing/descending turns. I am very surprised how easy the Cessna Skyhawk flys. It seems to want to fly itself and at times I was able to set the plane for level flight and let go. We flew all over the area around Camarillo and before I knew it we were back on the ground going over what we had learned. I am very excited to have recieved my first entry into my logbook and cant wait till I can fly again!

Thanks and Fly Safe

Chris

Starting Ground School

Today is the day that I decided to start my Ground School. I went into Channel Islands Aviation to start my Flight Training and Sarah the Flight School Manager let me know I have to purchase ground school to go along with the flight training.

Ground School consists of a book or online lessons that teach you the specifics about how planes fly, how the engine works, how to perform in an emergency, etc. Ground school is the classroom training that you will be studying while preparing your flight lessons. After I purchased the Ground School I immediately drove home to open the box and get started.

I am currently enrolled in the Professional Pilot Program which comes with 2 Polo Shirts, a log in code for the webpage, a nifty compass for charts, Cessna 172 manuals, and an awesome leather binder. After setting up my online account with Cessnaflighttraining.com I started the ground school. 

The training is split into 2 Stages with 5 Lessons each and 1 Final Practical Test stage.  Each lesson takes from 2-4 hours depending how fast you learn. 

After I take the practice ground school tests for each section I will go over it with my instructor and put what I learn to the test. I am excited and ready to start flying and cannot wait to get into the air!

Any Questions? Feel free to message me and Fly Safe!

Chris E

Introductory Flight

     2 Years ago my sister purchased an introductory flight with Justice Aviation out of Van Nuys Airport in CA. This flight was what ultimately convinced me to become a pilot and to want to make flying a career. My Dad and I planned our flight for 10am on Monday Morning. I was nervous for two reasons 1) I have never flown in a small plane before and 2) What if he asked me to sit in the front seat?

We showed up to Justice Aviation at around 9:30 and met John our "instructor" for the day. He told us that our flight was going to be around 1 hour and we will fly out over the ocean and back two times once for me to sit in the Pilot seat and once for my dad at which my dad told him that I could fly the whole time which was awesome.


John gave me a headset and my dad decided to use his old headset for the flight and we headed toward the Cessna 172. My first thought was that we were going to sit back and enjoy the flight but John had me help him the whole time. He handed me a check list and our first priority was to perform a Pre-Flight Checklist which consists of making sure that the plane is good to fly. ( I will make a deatiled checklist for you all to read up on ). Once the Pre-Flight was done John had my dad sit in the back seat and I sit in the PIC (Pilot in Command) chair which made me nervous. We then performed a starting checklist which consists of priming the engine and making sure all gauges worked and were correct. At this point my nerves were gone and I was having the time of my life and we were not even in the air yet!

John handled all radio communications but as we taxi to the runway he showed me how to use my feet instead of hands to drive and I taxi all the way to the runway. At first I was all over the taxiway but after a minute or so I learned that small movements are the best way to control the plane. We received the go ahead to take off and John said " hold onto the Yoke and help me takeoff " I have never flown a plane let alone been in a small plane and he already was letting me help takeoff! It was an amazing feeling and I will never forget that first takeoff.

We were able to fly over Santa Monica and my work in Malibu which was awesome. The view from above the mountains or city is the most amazing view and you always notice something new. Over the ocean John let me control the plane and I flew for a while (with help). We practiced Ascents and Descents and Turns which were fun. As we turned to land the plane John said " I want you to hold onto the controls with me during landing because you have been doing a great job" which made me happy and really helped solidify wanting to fly.

After landing John explained to me the program they offered and I went home knowing that becoming a pilot is what I want to do.

An introductory lesson is a great way to get a feel for flying or a school. It only costs around $100 and for me helped me decide I wanted to fly. Call your local Flight school to see if they offer an introductory flight and make sure you take pictures!!!

Fly Safe

Chris E

Welcome!

My Name is Chris, I am 23 years old and currently training to receive my PPL (private pilots license).I currently live in Thousand Oaks, CA and fly 1 to 2 times a week out of KCMA (Camarillo) Airport.


My dad who is also Chris started flight school while I was young. Although he has some time under his belt training he has not taken his check-ride to receive a license. As time went on I still can see how much he loves to fly whether it is on a business trip or the rare occasion of a small aircraft. As I grew up I remember every Sunday after church my family and I would go to the Camarillo Airport's Waypoint Cafe and have Tri-Tip Sandwiches while listening to Air Traffic Control. This weekly routine I believe was the beginning of my wanting to become a pilot.


As I grew up we stopped going to the airport as much, I graduated High School, Started College, Moved to another country and started working for a company I love. I was at a point in my life where working to move out and have my own place was my goal. 2 years ago my sister purchased an introductory flight for my dad an I out of Van Nuys, CA with Justic Aviation and this flight is what finally convinced me that becoming a pilot is what I want to do. Easier said than done or so I thought.


I believed that If I wanted to become a pilot I needed to go to school for Aeronautical Science and try to receive student loans to pay for my school. I have applied for loans with no success and do not have any savings to pay for the lessons so I though that I was out of luck. Eventually after moving to another state and moving back I decided to get my training started and figure out finances after I talk to them. I went to Camarillo Airport's CIA and met with Sarah Oberman the Flight School Manager who told me about their training program and which would be best for me. Still thinking that training would be too expensive I put off training for another two weeks to "research" financial aid options. After the two week period I sat down with Sarah and told her "Im Ready to get started". looking back I am glad i bit the bullet and started training. It has been the most fun and I wish I could fly more every day.


My goal with this blog is to help and encorage everyone who wants to fly. It may seem impossible whether you dont have time, Money, or are afraid but the truth is there is always a way. This will be my journey in receiving a PPL and some day Commercial License. If you have any questions please send me a message and Fly Safe

Chris E


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