Flight To Success

Monday, August 8, 2016

The Dark Before the Light...

Monday Motivation

"Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith."

Joel Osteen

I receive many messages of motivation and inspiration via email, and often they are exactly what I need to hear at the time. This is one of them.

Stay your course and keep the faith!

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Friday, August 5, 2016

Rick Waston

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

Rick Watson

Yesterday, my friend, Rick Watson, just me some great news, and I'm honored to share his story with you. Rick lost his medical. He was grounded. For anyone who doesn't fly, you might not understand what that means to heart and soul of a pilot. To those of us where the sky is our home, we need that license to fly. Then he found his way back into the sky, but only to lose his medical again. Rick never lost sight of his passion, and he never gave up. He found a way to not only keep his passion alive, but to take it to far reaching heights! Please enjoy Rick's story.

"Never lose sight of your dreams

and feed your passion."

Rick:

"My journey began longer ago than I can remember, to fly was all I ever wanted to do, 28 years ago at age19 I strapped my self into a Hughes 269 (Yes I started on Choppers) and why not, they were fun to fly. I took to it like a duck to water, the following year I converted to fixed wing flying Piper Cherokees and Warriors soloing in 2 hours, along the way I flew a myriad of different types and makes including Gliders and Gyrocopters, then it happened, as quick as lightening...

I blew my eardrum, now on the great scheme of things this doesn't sound like a huge medical disaster, however for me it was just the start of a HUGE journey of faith. I lost my medical while the professionals delved into the problem, 2 operations later I was on the mend, I had a 5 year hiatus while things healed, I was now married and had 2 wonderful children.

Time and money was a factor, however it did give my ear chance to heal, I started to feel the pull of my home again, so I started to fly with others to ease into it, I was able to do quite a bit of flying even some aerobatics with the Royal New Zealand Airforce the time felt right, by this stage a few more years had gone by, I was now divorced and living with a new partner so it was time for new beginnings, In 2008 I decided to do my multi-engined instrument rating, I passed my commercial medical (Yay first hurdle cleared) I passed my exams (2nd one done) and was back in the air, my home, my comfort zone.....

Then BANG!

it happened

I was on a turning descent with an instructor on board when I felt the same ear let go again... this time I had managed to dislodge the drum from the membrane behind it and it stretched the nerves that help carry the sound to the Cochlea... That was it, medical gone again and I was grounded........ The thing is I have never lost my passion for aviation through the ups and downs, it is my addiction, my guilty pleasure, so I never stopped looking up.

Roll forward to November 2011, another new beginning. A move to Thames, Coromandel, New Zealand. What a beautiful part of the country, great walks, awesome fishing, just paradise. I trucked along as you do before the call was strong again.. I thought well If I can't fly for real I am going to find a decent simulator, in late 2012 I purchased a twin engine simulator based on a Beech aircraft which I configured to fly the 1900D, many hours were spent flying all around NZ, I loved it but my love of aircraft was too strong, so like many I sought out the local flying club.

I was talking to the instructor and he asked if I wanted to go for a fly, now that was like asking junkie if he wanted a free hit, the best part was he let me do the flying, I was home again, I felt at ease and best of all no pain in my ear, the best part I was informed that I would have no problems passing my medical, how can this be I thought, well as fortune would have it the plane I was flying was a Tecnam P2002 Sierra a high performance sport aircraft, classified in NZ as a Microlight!

The medical is the same as if I wanted to drive a bus, it's a recreational license, designed for experienced pilots who can no longer obtain the stringent GA medicals BRILLIANT. I joined the club and was voted in as the Club Captain, I was now right seating with other club members to fly ins around the country as well as left seating with an instructor to get my rating. I passed all my exams again and I am once again a qualified pilot holding an advanced passenger rated license for high performance sport aircraft at the age of 47. One hell of a journey but I never lost sight of my goal, I am currently working through my instructors rating and purchase of my own aircraft so I can share my passion.

I am now a qualified flight instructor

(LSA/ microlight)"

I will be heading to Rick's backyard one day, and would be honored to take a flight lesson with him. For now, please join me in thanking Rick for sharing his story of hope and inspiration. We all need a little hope in our lives, that there is a rainbow at the end of the storm. This is what stories are made of.

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Thursday, August 4, 2016

FLY SAFE

Message from the FAA!

Prevention of Loss of Control Accidents

July 25- The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on best practices in calculating and predicting aircraft performance, and in operating within established aircraft limitations.

Transition Safely

The lack of or poor transition training has been cited as a causal factor in many general aviation accidents. Pilots think they only need transition training when stepping up to a high-performance or complex airplane, from single-engine to multi-engine aircraft, or even from tricycle gear to tail wheel. But they can also benefit from transition training when moving from traditional aircraft to amateur-built or light-sport airplanes, as well as from steam gauges to a glass cockpit.

The goal of transition training is to make sure you have proper training in the specific systems and operating characteristics of every airplane model you fly. Transition training focuses on those areas where you might encounter something unique to the airplane – whether as a normal procedure or in an emergency.

How Do I Train?

The quality of your training could save your life! Choose wisely, and as you do so, think “Structure,” “Specifics,” and “Quality.”

Structure

Transition training should be conducted in accordance with a written training syllabus, which is a checklist for training. Your syllabus should provide a logical, systematic and comprehensive approach to ensure you cover all the basics. You’ll also want to review the applicable practical test standards (PTS) or Airman Certification Standards (ACS) that are appropriate to the certificate and/or rating that you hold.

Specifics

The goal of transition training is to teach you what is different about the aircraft and the equipment onboard. The syllabus should address the basics of the aircraft’s systems (fuel, electrical, control, hydraulic, avionics, environmental, etc.), but with the emphasis on how characteristics of the new aircraft differ from those you already know.

Your training should cover normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. It should also cover performance characteristics – including what to expect on takeoff and landing, climb, cruise, descent and glide. Finally, it should address limitations, such as weight and balance, speed, wind limits and more.

Qualified Instructor

To get the greatest benefit from your transition training, you need to hire an instructor who is current and qualified. He or she needs to thoroughly understand the airplane and equipment you want to master. Your instructor should follow a syllabus, and he or she should be able to shift the emphasis to fit your qualifications and goals, as well as the characteristics of your aircraft.

What is Loss of Control?

A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC can happen because the aircraft enters a flight regime that is outside its normal flight envelope and may quickly develop into a stall or spin. It can introduce an element of surprise for the pilot.

Contributing factors may include:

Poor judgment/aeronautical decision making,
Failure to recognize an aerodynamic stall or spin and execute corrective action.
Intentional failure to comply with regulations,
Failure to maintain airspeed,
Failure to follow procedure,
Pilot inexperience and proficiency
Use of prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs or alcohol.

Message from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta:

"The FAA and the aviation community are working together to prevent Loss of Control accidents and save lives. You can help make a difference by joining our Fly Safe campaign. Each month on FAA.gov, we’re providing pilots with a Loss of Control solution developed by a team of experts. They have studied the data and developed solutions – some of which are already reducing risk. We hope you will join us in this effort and spread the word. Follow #FlySafe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I know that we can reduce these accidents by working together as a community."

Did you know?

Last year, 384 people died in 238 general aviation accidents.
Loss of Control is the number one cause of these accidents.
Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight. It can happen anywhere and at any time.
There is one fatal accident involving LOC every four days.

Learn more:

FAA Advisory Circular 90-109A, Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft, and the Airport Handbook (FAA-H08083-3A) Chapters 11 to 15, have the basic information you need to know.

“Shifting Gears–Tips for Tackling Transition Training” is on page 16 of the March/April issue of the FAA Safety Briefing. Whether you’re transitioning to LSA or Experimental, this article has handy tips.

The FAASafety.gov website has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars and more on key general aviation safety topics.

AOPA, Transitioning to Other Aircraft, features helpful courses, quizzes and more.

The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program helps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirements. It is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience.

Understand what makes every airplane tick by taking the online courses and safety quizzes offered by AOPA

The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) is comprised of government and industry experts who work together to use data to identify risk, pinpoint trends through root cause analysis, and develop safety strategies to reduce the risk of accidents in GA.

The GAJSC combines the expertise of many key decision makers across different parts of the FAA, several government agencies, and stakeholder groups. The other federal agencies are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which participates as an observer. Industry participants include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, National Business Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, and the aviation insurance industry. The European Aviation Safety Agency also participates as an observer.

An FAA fact sheet outlines GA safety improvements and initiatives.

Enjoy the Journey and be Safe!

XO Karlene

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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Horrible Places to Land

But Somebody's got to do it!

Compliments of Steve...

Making another great landing!

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Join the ERAU Team!

Prescott Campus:
Now Hiring Flight Instructors

Click HERE for hiring bonuses and more!

Don't miss the opportunity to instruct at the world's No. 1 aviation-focused university!

"Our flight instructors are highly sought after and mobile, especially now with the increased industry demand for pilots. It's good for our instructors and good for you."

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301-3720

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene

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