The Finish Line Draweth Near!

John HurlbutFlyingLeave a Comment

Aerobatic plane crossing finish line at the air races

Aerobatic plane crossing finish line at the air races

I’m so excited!! The weather around here (Washington) has turned to our typical fall gray, rainy days.  The opportunities to fly have been few and far between.  But I just checked the weather forecast for the rest of the week and Friday and Saturday are looking stellar!  I think between the two days, I’ll be able to get two big chunks of my license requirements done.  According to FAR 61.109:

61.109 Aeronautical Experience

(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time (DONE!!) that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor (DONE!!) and 10 hours of solo flight training (ALMOST Done!) in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane; (DONE!)

(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours (1 Down, two to go) of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance (Scheduled for Saturday Night and should get me the additional 2 hours I need for paragraph 2 above); and

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport (This is the night requirement and so far have 4, will get at least 2 more Saturday. If my instructor is ok with it we’ll do all six!).

(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight; (Have a little over an hour of this left I think, should be easy enough to knock out)

(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and (NEED THIS!! CHECK RIDE PREP!!!)

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane (Have 7.5 now, Friday will knock out the rest) , consisting of at least—

(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time; (Currently have two, Friday should easily get me the other three)

(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and (This will be the flight on Friday, more details below)

(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.  (I actually don’t think I’ve done this yet!  I’ve gone to Tacoma Narrows a bunch on my own, but have always done touch and go’s!! So I’ll get a quick trip in soon to do three full stop landings there, no biggie)

Sorry to bore you with Federal Air Regulations, but that’ll actually help me keep track of what I need to do!  So here’s what I have planned: 

Friday's Flight Plan

Friday’s Flight Plan

Friday from 11-4 I have the plane booked and my plan is to fly from Puyallup (KPLU) to Astoria, Oregon (KAST) land there, take the obligatory selfie, and takeoff again.  Next, fly a short distance to Tillamook, Oregon (KTMK) , land there, another selfie and back into the plane.  I’ll overfly or land at McMinnville, Oregon depending on time, then overfly Portland International Airport, and head back to Puyallup.

Then on Saturday evening, I’ve got a flight booked with my instructor to get my night 100 mile cross country flight done.  I’m hoping I can bring Teri with me on that flight.  We’ll probably just go to Arlington, land, and head back home, but I think the night flight will be super cool to experience!!  As I mentioned above, I’m also hoping to knock out an additional 4 takeoffs and landings that night too to meet the 10 night takeoffs and landings requirement for my license.  

After Saturday my instructor and I will have to do some under the hood time and polishing of skills.  Probably 2-5 hours of flying there.  Then it’ll be study, study some more, study some more, fly, fly fly and finally “Call the FAA, time for John’s Check Ride!” 

The Finish Line Draweth Near!! 

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