My New Hobby (Part 2)

Long time blog readers will remember that I've decided to get my pilot's license. It's time for an update.

Things are coming along really well. When I first started, I was flying a Cessna 150. 150's are thought of as "tin cans with wings." On one hot and humid Saturday, the instructor and I were not able to get off the ground in the 150. It was then that I decided to switch to the Cessna 172.

My next flight went really well. We flew to Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport to practise flying in a control zone, and runway switches. When we went back to Rockcliffe, we did a simulated engine failure in circuit. I managed to put the plane down on the runway.

About a week ago I got my Student Pilot Permit. Then I had my (second) First Solo earlier this week. (I have 14 hours of solo flight time logged from my days at Sault College, so this isn't a real First Solo, but it's still an accomplishment.)

Here's a picture of my First Solo landing:



Here's my checklist of things I must do before I'm finished with my goal of obtaining a PPL:

• Get a valid CAT III medical


• Register with Rockcliffe Flying Club.


• Buy study materials


• Write PSTAR (The written prerequisite for a Student Pilot Permit)


• Write the Transport Canada written exam


• Do flying exercises
  • Do Pro-solo exercises
  
  
  • Do first solo
  
  
  • Do post-solo exercises
    • Circuit exercises
    
    
    • Steep Turns, Slow Flight and Forced Approaches
    
    
    • Forced Approaches
    
    
    • Precautionary landings
    
    
    • Diversions
  
  
  • Do dual cross-country to Cornwall
  
  
  • Do solo cross-country to Cornwall
  
  
  • Do dual cross-country to Kingston
  
  
  • Do solo cross-country to Kingston
  
  
• Pre-Flight Test


• Pass Transport Canada flight test