Getting this weekend's thread started. v/r,dr
I got my license! That makes it official, now I know everything.
I got my license! That makes it official, now I know everything.
I got my license! That makes it official, now I know everything.
I got my license! That makes it official, now I know everything.
View from a bedroom window
View from a bedroom window
I got my license! That makes it official, now I know everything.
We need to gather the VAFers together and build Vlad a hangar or plane cover in repayment for all his travel stories!
We officially started my son's RV checkout and transition training!
Max has hundreds of hours sitting in the back seat. Most of that time was pre-student pilot, sleeping, playing video games, kicking my seat, and bouncing up and down listening to music. We've made dozens of trips to Oshkosh, Sun-n-Fun, and many other places. I didn't count any of that that time for logbook and insurance purposes. Sure he would grab the stick and do the best he could from back there. He even flew some formation from the back seat. However, he's never had the opportunity until this weekend to be fully in control: start, taxi, takeoff, and land from the front seat! It was a huge milestone for both of us!
He's 18 years old and holds a Private Pilot certificate with Glider, Airplane-SEL, and Instrument ratings. His logbook includes Complex, High-Performance, and Tailwheel endorsements. He's a freshman at Embry-Riddle-Riddle studying Spaceflight Operations and just began studying for his Commercial Pilot written exam. The goal is to continue working through his ratings and eventually make flying a career.
To prepare for this day, Max earned his tailwheel endorsement last year in a Citabria and logged nearly 60 hours in that plane (thanks John!). It's been 13 months since he last flew a taildragger, so I didn't feel comfortable throwing him in the front seat right away. A friend of mine (thanks Jared!) was kind enough to take him up in a Super Decathlon to get his feet warmed up again. Apparently he never lost his touch! After half a dozen perfect wheel landings, he was deemed proficient.
The next step was for me to get comfortable in the back seat. It had been many years since I had flown my airplane from the back seat. Another friend of mine with an RV-8 also, (Thanks Robin) hopped in the front seat and I got in back. I gave Robin a full brief of the various switches and procedures I use. My first landing was ok and Robin gave me appropriate critique. Subsequent landings improved dramatically. I felt comfortable again after 4 or 5 landings. Then later that evening while we were both fresh and with calm winds, Max and I got in the RV with him in front and did what we both have wanted to do for a long time! We did some air work followed by 6 very nice landings. That was on Saturday.
Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, my son flew us to Daytona Beach to go back to my alma mater, in a plane I built 15 years ago. I had a very glorious solo night flight back home.
We officially started my son's RV checkout and transition training!
... Max and I got in the RV with him in front and did what we both have wanted to do for a long time! We did some air work followed by 6 very nice landings. That was on Saturday.
Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, my son flew us to Daytona Beach to go back to my alma mater, in a plane I built 15 years ago. I had a very glorious solo night flight back home.
Cant believe Max is 18! I remember meeting you and Max at the Lumberton, NC fly-in.We officially started my son's RV checkout and transition training!
Max has hundreds of hours sitting in the back seat. Most of that time was pre-student pilot, sleeping, playing video games, kicking my seat, and bouncing up and down listening to music. We've made dozens of trips to Oshkosh, Sun-n-Fun, and many other places. I didn't count any of that that time for logbook and insurance purposes. Sure he would grab the stick and do the best he could from back there. He even flew some formation from the back seat. However, he's never had the opportunity until this weekend to be fully in control: start, taxi, takeoff, and land from the front seat! It was a huge milestone for both of us!
He's 18 years old and holds a Private Pilot certificate with Glider, Airplane-SEL, and Instrument ratings. His logbook includes Complex, High-Performance, and Tailwheel endorsements. He's a freshman at Embry-Riddle-Riddle studying Spaceflight Operations and just began studying for his Commercial Pilot written exam. The goal is to continue working through his ratings and eventually make flying a career.
To prepare for this day, Max earned his tailwheel endorsement last year in a Citabria and logged nearly 60 hours in that plane (thanks John!). It's been 13 months since he last flew a taildragger, so I didn't feel comfortable throwing him in the front seat right away. A friend of mine (thanks Jared!) was kind enough to take him up in a Super Decathlon to get his feet warmed up again. Apparently he never lost his touch! After half a dozen perfect wheel landings, he was deemed proficient.
The next step was for me to get comfortable in the back seat. It had been many years since I had flown my airplane from the back seat. Another friend of mine with an RV-8 also, (Thanks Robin) hopped in the front seat and I got in back. I gave Robin a full brief of the various switches and procedures I use. My first landing was ok and Robin gave me appropriate critique. Subsequent landings improved dramatically. I felt comfortable again after 4 or 5 landings. Then later that evening while we were both fresh and with calm winds, Max and I got in the RV with him in front and did what we both have wanted to do for a long time! We did some air work followed by 6 very nice landings. That was on Saturday.
Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, my son flew us to Daytona Beach to go back to my alma mater, in a plane I built 15 years ago. I had a very glorious solo night flight back home.
ב ה צ ל ח ה !
The first time I met Max he was 13 and thrilled to show me the Leggo structure he had recently constructed. Today he is a pilot with more ratings than most pilots ever accumulate in a lifetime. Jerry, you have every reason to be proud.
Cant believe Max is 18! I remember meeting you and Max at the Lumberton, NC fly-in.
Congratulations Jerry.