My diary from the days of the NAIA NEAR JAR ATPL course
Please see the PHOTOGRAPHY section for the latest pictures,
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C208 enroute |
Summer in the north ... |
Some more pictures from the local aera around Harstad.
9 hours the last month is not so bad....
 Flight from ENEV to ENSK |
 Over Lødingen, looking south towards vestbygda |
 Over LØdingen, approaching ENEV from the west |
 Cleared to land rwy 35 ENEV |
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Short stop at Svolvær ( ENSH ) with
the PA 28 |
And this is what I have been doing while I waited for a "proper" pilot job.... Technician at the local electricity company.. |
20 / 09 / 03
Some pics from a flight from Evenes ( ENEV ) in the local aera.
Piper PA 28 - LN FOB.
Scenery a bit more inspiring....... or what ... ( - :
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As the first NEAR graduate
of the JAR FCL ATP integrated course, I slowly realise that ..... I`m done
First flight on 5 / 7 / 01, last flight on 27
/ 6 / 03 - less than 2 years from start to finish.
2 years with.....
1183 flight hours
800 flights
2386 landings
10600 us gallons of avgas( 39 000 liters ) burned
14 Graduate students, who all passed on first attempt
......
I feel pretty good about that.... ( - ;
Here is the NEAR circular, check it out !
27 / 6 / 03
The big day !
Got the wx and notams in the TWR, and luckily winds were calm and sky
was blue !
Reidar Aunebakk ( the examiner ) checked the papers, and the oral exam commenced.
I think I did fine overall.
Then a long 2 hour flight followed. - VFR manouvers, NDB holding, ILS DME 32,
NDB holding, NDB 32, se missed, pattern work.
and I landed with a really good feeling about it, and he gave me the thumbs
up - PASSED !
It was kind of a surreal experience, as all my worries and efforts suddenly
ended and a new era began instantly,
some days are needed to digest that stuff !
After lunch, the flight in the Cheetah for the SEP rating was just a joyride,
and for the first time,
I could actually enjoy the scenery outside.
VFR towards Femunden and then a loong, straight in final to 32 at Røros
ended my education at 1500 on june 27...
.... that night I floated around....how does it feel.... ?? well, I guess great
is not enough to explain.....
26 / 6 / 03
First flight in the Grumman cheetah..... what a fun little aircraft. Super responsive
and good fun !
School flight exam followed, and this is in many ways the real skilltest or
checkride, as it is supposed to be harder than
the NCAA ride, so do not underestimate this flight, as you are definetely not
guaranteed a pass....
ANd the flight commenced with Tor Sandnes from Rørosfly and Kjell Magne
Longva in the back. This was indeed a
challenging affair..... Actual conditions, and many appoaches was hard work.
We did like this.....VFR manouvers - NDB holding ( RBU ) - ILS DME 32 - Missed
app. then D Tolga at FL 090 -
DME arc to ILS 32- NDB 32 - single engine missed app - pattern and full stop. 2:00.....
Kjell : ( after loong debrief ) It`s a pass !
Once again, a long long evening and night, first a session with Kjell Magne
at the hotel, then finishing off the flight planning ..
Planned an IFR flight from Røros and back + a VFR flight around Aursunden
- Femunden and back to Røros.
... chrashed to sleep at 2 am..
25 / 6 / 03
Spent most of the night plowing through the technical questionaire for the Grumman
GA 7, so I was a bit tired when I showed up
for my first flight in just about 6 months...... wonder how rusty I am ???
My instructor, Knut Fjell gave a short brief, and off we went.
It was actually not as bad as I thought and soon I flew the Cougar like nothing
at all.
Knut brushed off the rusty parts. 2 hours went like crazy ....
The second flight ended the flying for the day, but much work remained, as Kjell
Magne and I worked long hours to make sure
everything was in order, both paperwork and poor me.....
I am really impressed the way Kjell Magne from NEAR worked for me during these
days at Røros.
Feeling privileged, as he poured form his knowledge and made the "examinations"
a good learning experience.
Great !
23 / 6 / 03
Once again I am back at Vigra, now for the last time,
as phase 5 commences...
The simulator training before the flights at rørosfly are quite
busy, and we spent 2 very intensive days at NEAR.
Kjell Magne and I went through some interesting manouvers .... induced
by loosing one engine.....
the Sletten 1A procedure as the absolute highlight......( eeeehhh .... I\ll
guess I won`t do that in the plane.... )
Thanks to Kjell for the tour at Vigra twr, it really plugged the holes in my
" Norwegian procedures and regs. )
After 6 : 05 in the sim.... and passing the progress test, I was on my way to
Røros
3 / 6 / 03
My own assessment of the different ATPL exams
here !
And the testing scedule + div exam info here !
Hints + tips soon !
31 / 05 / 03
I
DID IT ..... I really did it .. !!!! All 14 JAA ATPL exams passed on first try ! |
Endless hours all alone
out on Andøya studying has paid off big time. I know for sure that without this all out effort, I could not have done it. 50 tons has been lifted off my shoulders, The JAA license .... from here, a walk in the park ! Like the pictures .... I feel like I`m flying ! |
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Stand by for my " How to pass the JAA exam guide " + the summary on the may ATPL exams !.
26 / 05 / 03
Back from the exams at Bardufoss, ooohhh, 2 hard weeks I tell you......
The exams were hard, but not totally impossible, I feel pretty good about how
I did.
I have passed all that has been corrected ( about 1/2 ), so now just waiting
for the final results.
12 / 05 / 2003
Ok, off to the mother of all exams, JAR / FCL ATPL......... starting 1700 today
at Bardufoss
Wish me luck will you .......
10 / 05 / 2003
Back from a very interesting and vell organized MCC course at NEAR,Vigra
More on that later
14 / 04 / 2003
HAPPY DAY !!!
All the NEAR school exams passed with an average score of 97 % .....WOW ...
the brainwash technique works ..!
13 exams on 5 days ....
So now it is full speed ahead towards the NCAA exam may 12 at Bardufoss .....
but first, a small easter break !
See you !
19 / 03 / 03
I AM DONE WITH THE PROGTESTS !!!
48 exams - 88 % average score, and VERY happy to be done with this part !!!!!
After some " negotiation " with NEAR, I / we will start phase 5, april
7.
It will be a " special " circumstances wrap up course, more on that
later ........
By the way, flew my first paraglider XC for the season the other day ... (
- : ...... check the mainpage for pics !
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Crazy about flying !! Some shots from some of the great flights I have done paragliding lately !. To all you aviators - this is a form of flying that brings some incredible
good vibrations and pleasures of flight ! .... yes I admit it ... totally hooked on the sky ! |
02 / 03 / 03
Finally NEAR has published the dates for startup on phase 5 !!
Have we been waiting for this some time ....... as a matter of fact, the lack
of communication has been a source of
much frustration and wasted energy..... not happy about this !
W ell hopefully it is full speed from here towards the final exams in may.
My days are spent reading and reviewing the subjects, often long into the night
... gasp....
Here in the northern part of Norway, the sun has risen high above the horizon,
and the scenery is very pretty indeed !
Done some amazing flights with my paraglider, and that really helps on the motivation
for the studies !
Can see the finishing line from here !
Stay tuned for the finish !
Click on tumbnails for larger pics.
..... But before you consider
this career, read this and think twice ( - ;
29 / 01 / 03
Here I am again after being busy for a while, residing in Andøya, far
away from any distractions
Out there on the island, I really have regained the inspiration and energy,
studying during the morning
and evening, then in the
low winter sun, I already have made some amazing flights with my paraglider.
Not to mention a couple of great climbs up the steep mountains ...... aaaahhh
beautiful !
Studying is progressing well, and I estimate a good month more before I reach
the end.
I was lucky enough to be invited to visit widerøe for a brief interviev
with the training chief, and best of all ..
a whole day sponsored by widerøe as part of the flight crew on a total
of 8 cycles on the short fields of
northern Norway. Check out the pics !
After this visit, I have a strong feeling that this dream of mine is becoming
reality !
Big thanks to Widerøe and especially capt. Hans Tilrem for this fantastic
day!
As to sum up my progress so far.
I am currently concentrating on finishing reading the ATPL theory. This must
be done before I can go to Ålesund and start phase 5.
I am planning on joining the theory exams in early may, and will start flying
after that. So for now I am back to being a FULL TIME student !
Flight hours ( pr. 10 / 01 / 2003 )
- 1172 hours total
- 487 hours IFR flight plan
- 419 hours Jar / Fcl instruktør time
- 330 hours cross country
- 143 hours night
- 70 hours " actual IMC "
- 15 hours multi engine
Thanks for dropping by !
17 / 12 / 02
Timothy ( USA ) - John ( UK ) - ?? - Torgeir ( Norway ) - Boy did we share some moments together ...( - :
Gratulations to Torgeir and John : We made it !! Instrument rating before christmas
break !
So this is it ... the final flight is over, lots of hugs , goodbyes and a touch
of sadness ... leaving is never easy...
Many thanks for all the wonderful memories and countless flights all over the
southeastern US.
Total time 1175 hours - 14 students signed off ( All of them passed on first
attempt )
To all my friends - whatever skies you are flying : Merry christmas and a great
new year in 2003.
Special thanks to Wayne Davis for all your support .. always a warm word
and sincere concern..
the first I met on this long journey - you left all my remaining doubts behind..
... to Jim Troutman for your great sense of humor and everything you
tought me about flying ..
.... you are the most complete pilot I have ever met
To Jay Lamb for your sincerity - you thought me more than you may realize..
To examiner Bob Borroughs - for making the checkrides a great experience.
and finally to Brita Moe cause you were my very first signoff, and wow
what great fun we had ..
... I can`t wait to see you again ..... ( - : ( - ;
The last flight went ( by request ... ) to my favorite aera - Ashville ( AVL
)
This is the highest point in the eastern US - Mt. Mitchell 6300 ft. ( 2000 m
)
Been here a couple a times ...... Ashville regional ( KAVL )
I`ll be back some day !
The story will continue as I start the final phase of the JAR FCL ATPL sertification
in NORWAY.
Stay tuned for news !
9 / 12 / 02
Some pictures from my last flight from Conway to Atlanta Hartsfield ( KATL )
Been there 2 times and it keeps you on busy ....... 3 : 15 one way.
Check out the pages
of Cirrus RCFK - Aeromodeling at its best !
This is how it started for me....
29 / 11 / 02
Its only a few weeks left of my stay here in the US for now !!
Incredible how fast the time flies, lot`s of flying lately, and the hours are
rolling in like never before.
Here`s my logged hours for the last few days:( All instrument flights ! )
29/11 : 1.9 h - 1.7 h - 1.9 h - 3.4 h
28/11 : Thanksgiving
27/11 : 1.5 h - 1.4 h - 1.8 h - 1.4 h
26/11 : 1.8 h - 2.3 h - 1.5 h
25/11 : 1.1 h - 1.7 h - 1.4 h
Currently having a total of around 1150 hours. - Maybe I can do 1200 before
i leave....
22 / 11 / 02
Passing 1100 hours, and it seems like I will get close to 1200 when I leave
i 3 weeks.
Busy days, 4 - 6 hours a day in the air. All instrument flights with John and
Torgeir (-:
Must admit that homesickness is getting pretty strong...... almost there now.
05 / 11 / 02
I have recieved a lot of questions from people back home concerning the NAIA
/ NAR program,
and here are some of the replies
.... If you want a little taste of the JAR FCL exam questions, here
are 2 of the 900 total you will
Have to answer in 45 weeks .. Piece of cake ( - :
( I can give you a explanation if you must .... )
....... and sorry about this one ladies ....... ( - ;
Here
are a summary of the latest months here at NAIA !!
29 / 04 / 2002
Check it out !!
To all of you prospective aviators ; I read this once. It reflects what you
can inheritage.
" You are one of
a unique group of people who see further, dare to dream, and then have the passion,
courage, and commitment to take the steps, large or small, to see their visions
become reality.
As you continue your training, and set your dreams into motion. Do not forget
:
- You are standing on the shoulders of giants "
13 / 12 : A day I will always remember
:
I
passed my CFI ( Instructor checkride ) !!!!,
5 months and 14 days since I did my first flight, I finally hold that elusive
certificate in my hand.
5 months of total commitment to do my very best - and for sure ; the hard work
has payed off.
The very first NAIA / NAR student to finish the US phase of the JAA ATPL program.
One final flight remains, and it is going to be
the CFII " joyride " with Bob.....next tuesday.
It will be strange to do my final landing as a part of the NAIA NAR program.
After that ( After the christmas break back home !!!! ) I will return as a flight
instructor,
teaching other to the same thing as I did as a student.
For those of you thinking of becoming a pilot of
some kind, Here is an article I wrote back in 1995.
It is a gathering
of advice and thoughts that might help develop a good attitude towards your
training.
7 / 12 : Preparing
myself for the upcoming CFI checkride, lot`s and lots`s of studying.
I have bought myself a car !! A Geo ( Chevrolet ) Metro 95 mod, and I am getting
it this weekend !
3 / 12 : Commercial
pilot, multiengine !!
After a good flight, 1 hr 25 min, I got my multiengine rating !
This leaves only 2 checkrides left - CFI 13/12 and CFII the day after.... This
last week has truly
Been rewarding as far as certification is concerned. I tell you - passing a
checkride feels SO good!
Christmas time at NAIA ! pics 1 2
Other pics : The MAN in UNICOM - Pelican through the prop.... - Study,Study..
before the checkride - Preparing the multi ride..
28 / 11 : Groundschool is
over !! Had my last written exam - the advanced ground instructor test.
100-94-100-97-96-100-98-96-95-95-99-92-99 - 96 - 90 -
93 - 97 = 96.3 %
Got my spin certification, and also completed my CFI training - this means
that I am ready to go for my
instructor checkride. I will get my date this weekend ...
.. oioioio, the finishing line is coming up awfully fast here !!!!
Multi checkride the coming monday
!
I am going home for christmas on the 20 of december ....... HAPPY DAY !!!!!!
26 / 11 : I am a commercial pilot !!!!!
After
a very nice flight, I now actually can start working as a pilot !
252 hours and exactly 5 months since I started here at NAIA ........
LOts and lots of work, that really has payed off !!
Multi engine checkride probably on wednesday ... stand by !
23 / 11 : I am getting REALLY close now.
245 out of 250, and the commercial checkride is to be next
monday ! The Multi checkride the day after.....
CFI training is ending and the last checkrides
are to be within the next 14 days.....
Stand by for more updates !!
10 / 11 : Another weekend, time fies, and
so does the events over here at NAIA.
I have been up twice almost every day lately, and I have only about 20 hours
left on the whole program.
I do the instructor training parralell with the multi engine rating.
Evenings are spent working on the theory, and tasks concerning the instructor,
CFI program.
A lot of work, I tell you. The pressure has " thightened " up in this
last phase of the training, much because I
really want to finish the training off. Long evenings and flights take all the
energy, and just about the only
recreeation is running on the nearby dirt roads - makes you relax and feel good
!
As always, weather is really good, in fact there
has been lots of forestfires because of the dry weather
Check out these pics 1 - 2
And here are some more ..... Departing
22 Conway...Nippy morning ( 0 C ) ... Morning flight ( 0700 )
See you !
"
As I sit here this friday evening - a little time off, time to recall all these
great flights.
- beautiful sunset flights, watching the sun set as I fly through air as smooth
as silk -
skimming over the morning fog, watching my shadow fly ......
Man, when you start thinking - how incredible lucky I am ..., doing what I love
the
most - with all these great people around me - every day. "
No
matter what the future may have in store, I know for sure that coming down here,
is something I never will regret.
Big thanks to Kari and Gunnar, and all of you who supported and advised me on
my way.
Some of the latest shots : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
02 / 11
: My first flight in the Piper Seminole !!! - What a sweet ride this light
twin offers !
Flying with Gary Stone, the head of the NAR program, this first flight was a
great experience, looking forward
to the rest of the multi program. Who knows .... maybe I continue on to the
MEI ( Multi instructor program ) ...???!
02 / 11 : Back online again ...... well
I have been here all the time, just been so incredible busy the last week..
Groundschool have been covering the theory for the fundamentals of instructing,
and today we had our final
exam before the FAA written ( Looks like 97% is going to be " my "
score ).
All of my flights lately are dual ( with instructor ) as a part in the instructor
training. I have also started my CFII -
Instrument instructor traing, witch especially is great fun when I get to put
the " hood " on Mike...... acting as the
instructor !
Yesterday I had my last 152 flight with Mike - this means that I have finished
my instructor training in this
type of aircraft. The last stage in the instructor program is going to be in
the Cutlass RG and Skyhawk for
the instrument flights.
The weather has been most pleasant the last months - beautiful sunny days with
unlimited visibility -
Absolutely marvelous flying conditions. Hopefully this continues !!
No flying this saturday - 2 flights on sunday.
Total hours : about 220 ..
25 / 10 : Working mostly on my flight instructor
rating. Flying with Mike is fun and gives a new kind
of challenge.
Check out these beautiful cloudstreets, every glider pilot`s dream! 1 2
I just passed 200 hours flight time, still nearly 50 hours to go, before the
"magical" 250.
When I reach 250, all remaining checkrides will come : Commercial - Multi -
CFI - CFII. ( 4 - 6 weeks ? )
The weather this week has been back to summer..... up to 30 C , witch I think
is too much...
Passed my commercial FAA written test with a score of 97 %.
Instructor groundschool started today, and signals the last phase of the program.
Here are some typhical
problems you have to deal with as a commercial pilot !
Can you work them out ??? Dont look at the answers before you really try !!!
20 / 10 Instrctor training with Mike - right seat flying. Fundamentals of flight.
20 / 10 :
The RG kicks ass!!!! flew it solo for 1:30 , and had a great time. Compared
to the 152, this one
is more like a "fighter" zooms up to altitude like nothing, and can
really challenge you in many ways !
Like when your gearpump circuit breaker "pops" and you have to manually
pump The gear down -
off course, your engineis on fire, and you spirals down towards the field below
- better get the gear ( and your ass ) down quick..............
SUPER FLIGHT !
19 / 10 : Where did the last week go ??????
Time flies so fast, it`s crazy !!!!
Got my endorsement / checkout for solo flight in the Cutlass RG. Doing my
first solo tomorrow .
17 / 10 : Just came back from an absolutely
beautiful flight - the kind that you feel everything works just
perfect. - Solo IFR / night to Fayettville - fuel at Kinston - Wilmington -
Grand strand - home. 4 hr. 15 min.
The full NDB into KInston was an experience I won`t forget. Flying in total
darkness, only having the
instruments and the approach procedure to rely on ..... an incredible satisfying
feeling to be able to do
this all alone up there ! Where did the hours go ...... ???????
Tonight I did the ILS 5 - Fayettwille. Full NDB - Kinston. Full NDB 35 - Wilmington.
ILS 23 GRandstrand.
Visual into HYW. Hurra !!!!!!
Summary of all my written exams so far : 100-94-100-97-96-100-98-96-95-95-99-92-99 : average of 97 %....
15 / 10 : Those of you wondering how the
weather is down here...... time is 1800 local, 20 C clear sky,
and a light cool breeze. Just like a perfect summer day back home. Writing this
out on the porch.....
See the updated summary from the Appalacian trip
!!!
A summary of the latest events : I have started on the Cutlass RG.
This is a " complex " plane - meaning that it has flaps, constant
speed propellor' and retractable gear.
I really enjoy flying this plane, more stable, faster and powerfull.
The procedures are more complex and you need to obtain more knowledge before
flying such a plane.
My upcoming commercial checkride will be in this aircraft.
I have got a new instructor, as Sebastian has returned to Sweden. Mike O`Brian
from USA is the new one.
It is alwas somewhat stressfull to change instructor ( wich I have done 3 times
now )
but Mike and I get along very well !
Have done a few solo flights in the 152 - mostly just to " burn hours "
to meet the hour requirements.
MOst of the time, I just play around for fun, doing whatever I feel like.........
!
The new october class has started their training, and you can definately tell
that the place is more crowded.
In fact, there are some concern that there are too many students from the NAR
program, compared to the
availability of instructors. Me, beeing far ahead, seem to be able to avoid
this potential problem.
Time will tell.
I now have around 190 hours total out of 250...... getting close, in
fact I see the finishing line in the distant...
11 / 10 : Gone hiking for the weekend up
in the NC Appalachian mountains !!!!!!!!!
7 / 10 : Check out these beautiful colors
up in the Appalachian mountains !! PIC
1 Pic 2
Solo IFR XC to Ashville ( again...... ) Just like a great autumn day back home
in Norway.
Departed 0900 came back 2100. Just a perfect day.........thanks!
5 / 10 : Solo IFR XC to Colombia, Charlston,
Grandstrand and back. One of the first solo IFR`s at NAIA !
Really great feeling to be out
there in the clouds by myself !
Check out the pictures
from KITTYHAWK; NORTH CAROLINA. This is the birthplace of aviation.
A 152 sometimes impresses with
good climbing performance........ And I keep on flying......
OK, it is early morning, and I just woke up early......
Fall has definately come to SC. I diden`t think there were
any real " seasons " down here, but there is. The weather has changed
dramatically - the last 3 weeks, I
have hardly seen a cloud on the sky. Temperatures has dropped. At night the
temp. sinks down to app. 10 C.
daytime it rises to the low 20 C. Visibility are usually unlimited, and there
are generally more wind during
the day. In fact; beautiful climate !!!! ( Even the pool is now refreshing .........
)
I have been down here for just over 3 months, though it feels like a longer
time. When I look back, it is
incredible how much nowledge and skill I have gained in this relatively short
amount of time.
I remember that as I was sitting at Newark, I really coulden`t imagine myself
flying into these massive airports.
Now, I really feel confident in doing just that. I must have landed on almost
every one of the major airports in
this part of the country. That is a great feeling to know !
Lately, I have had the privelige to be able to chooose my own activities as
flying is concerned. I have to fly
the hours, and with the needed skill already acomplished - the exess hours are
just for the fun of it !!
The status as of now, is : 170 hours total - Private and instrument rating -
Far into the commercial program -
I have started with the instructor training, and next week the flying in the
172 RG starts.
After that, not far from now the multiengine Seminole is waiting. It sounds
crazy, but the completion of the
whole program could be less than 2 months from now!! In a way, a little sad
because it means that I will loose
contact with the life and good friends here at campus. I am still the only one
in my class with the IR.
Make no mistake - this is the way I want it ! Finish off here as soon as possible,
and with the highest skill I
can achieve.
My final goal is undoubly the right seat in an airliner back home in Norway
! And get there I will !!!
will update you more - stand by............ In the mean time, have to plan an IFR flight for tomorrow... bye!!!
4 / 10 : Back again after some tecnical
problems with my old ISP. I have moved the site, so hopefully the
access will improve to the better.
Lot`s of things has happened lately, and as usual the pace is rather "fast
moving "
21
/ 9 : YESS !!!!! INSTRUMENT RATED ......................!!!!!!!!!!!!
After some rather " busy " days, I finally are Instrument rated. The
flight was one of the best I have done,
and the examiner gave me high scores overall
It took me 11 weeks to get my private and instrument rating.........
total time 140,5 hours.
20 / 9 : " final test " before
the checkride - ILs - VOR - holding - NDB.
Written tests abound...... and my scores are between 95 - 98 %.
18 / 9 : Instrment - full NDB w. holding
- full VOR
Dinner with Leonard down at the beach.
17 / 9 : More instrument - VOR holding - full VOR - manouvers.
Check out the pictures from my 1230 km flight in a cessna 152!
Here is one you don`t want to mess with..... A10 warthog....
16 / 9 : Here`s another story about my favorite
place down here.......guess where... ASHVILLE!!
I, Sebastian and Synnove takes
off from Conway for an IFR XC to AVL. We are the first to depart Conway
after the nofly has been cancelled for IFR flights.
Beautiful flight into the mountains!.
After dinner and a litttle sightseeing, we depart AVL enroute to Conway......after
climbing through 7000 ft
there is a really bad smell of gasoline...., and after some investigation we
see that fuel is pouring out of the
right trailingedge......OIOIOI!!!
I immidiately decide to return, and gets vectors back to Ashville. All lights
are turned off, flaps remains up.
This to reduce the danger of fire.
As I fly towards the airport, the whole " firebrigade " avaits us....firetrucks
- police.........hmmmm
The landing is uneventful. I will not call this a n emergency, but it was still
"exiting"
I got another overnight stay in Ashwille, witch is not bad at all !!!!!!! Luckily,
the FBO let us have the curtecy
car the whole evening. Ashville is a really nice town to explore....
" As usual " I stay at hollyday inn........
Next day we flew out of AVL with the right tank drained almost empty- once again
a very nice flight !!
Every time I fly up to Ashville, someting " happens " .... maybe it
is because I really don`t want to leave.....
by the way... temperature at night was 4 C !!! Beautiful..
The insane tragedy that struck NY .... what can one say......
10 / 9 : Instrument flight - Full ILS - full NDB - Vectors NDB
9/ 9 : Looks like autumn is comingg along,
as the weather seems to cool off, and even the visibility is better !!
Yesterday I finally got my long cross country!! After 5 cansellations, I flew
the 152 1230 km all the way up to
Virginia. The flight took 8 hr. 35 min in the air......... stand by for the
whole story, with lots of good pictures !!
We had our 3.rd instrument test over IFR regulations| and procedures ---- 100% score.......
Here is a small story about what happens when you don`t study.........
5 / 9 : Back again after some days with
rather bad weather, in fact the weather has been really fucked up, and
most people have had some cansellations. It looks like things are getting better
now.
Got my first hour of actual IFR, on a XC to Wilmington with Sebastian .... its
much better than wearing
your hood !
I have been working on my instrument rating, and both groundschool and flying
comes along pretty good.
The last test on approach plates, departures and arrivals I got a 98 %.
As flying is concerned - I am about 20 hours flying from my instrument checkride
..... about 2 weeks from now..
Total flying time is round 110 hours.
Doing my long IFR XC tomorrow - Conway Charlston
Colombia Florence CRE VOR Conway. ( 280 nm )
Check out life at NAIA!
......NEW pictures.
Here are class 61 A !
31 / 8 : Hi again, back online after some
busy days, the instrument phase really takes all your attention ....!
On the last instrument test, 11 people failed.....
The weather lately has not been very nice...thunderstorms, rain and low ceilings
has caused lots of problems,
and I had 2 cross countries cancelled due to WX. Yesterday, there was issued
a flash flood warning ....
Things are going smooth for me, and I really enjoy the instrument flying. Even
the partial panel NDB app.
works good! As long as the temperature is within reasonably limits......I enjoy
life !
29 : Dual IFR
28 : Dual IFR
27 : Dual IFR
26 : Solo XC to Kinston - Fayetville - Florence - Berkley - Myrtle -
Conway ---- 7 hours in a 152.........
25: Very nice nightflight down to Myrtle
beach, and stayed in the pattern for 8 ..! landings. Busy night for the
boys in the tower...5 Conway bombers buzzing around at the same time with airbuses
and learjets landing
and departing. We did multiple holding on downwind, watiing for jets to land......and
then myrtle departure got
their mike stuck.....and the lovelife of the controllers went on the air.....no
kidding - it was some stories...!!
Check out some moments
from the latest events ......
Status so far.......
87 : 45 min total time
57 : 45 Pilot in command
10 : 40 night PIC
159 takeoffs/landings ( 26 night )
24 / 4 : First instrument written test,
got a 96%, witch I think is good, knowing that I have spent so much
time in the air, hardly having time to read...PES!
23 / 8 : Solo commercial XC: Wilmington
- Grand Strand - Myrtle - Florence - Marion - Conway. Ca. 270 nm
Backcourse localizer 17 ILM - Full VOR 5 ( Circling ) grandstrand - ILS 9 FLO
22 / 8 : Solo commecial XC: Charlston -
Berckley county - Colombia - Florence - Conway. Ca. 325 nm
ILS 11 CAE - ILS 9 FLO
21 / 8 : Backseat to Charlotte-
18 / 8 : Off to a totally
excellent adventure !! From Conway to Ashville, NC. After a beautiful
flight into the
Appalachian mountains, I landed at Ashville,Saturday morning, and headed out
to see the town.
The weather closed in at the plains, leaving the mountains in clear skies.........VACATION!!!!!
To make a long story short, I rented a car, and vent hiking up in the mountains.
To be able to breathe fresh mountain air again...........aaaaaahhuhmm.
Took off on Sunday evening for a nice night flight home again, as the weather
seemed to had lifted.
50 Nm before Conway a level 6 ( extreme ) thunderstorm covered Conway, giving
me the view ( from 5500
ft ) of the best fireworks I ever have seen. I will never forget this experience
... truly amazing to see this
incredible 50000 ft monster go off at full force....
I diverted to Florence, and spent the night at hollyday inn. Nice early monday
morning flight home !!
A weekend good for body and soul !
17 / 8 : Full ILS 23 Cre, ILS 18 Myr, NDB
A Hyw ( Compass only )
17 / 8 : ILS 9 Flo, NDB A Hyw.
17 / 8 : Commercial manouvers
16 / 8 : Official start at the instrument
program : ILS 18 MYR, VOR 5 Cre, NDB 4 Hyw
16 / 8 : VOR 5 /w holding Cre, ILS 23 Cre, NDB A Hyw
16 / 8 : Commercial manouvers
15 / 8 : Night XC to Raleigh Durham Intl. Beautiful flight !!! 3hr:30min 300nm
13 / 8 : Commercial manouvers ( Lazy 8 -
chandelles - 8`s on pylons )
13 / 8 : NDB holding / approach
12 / 8 : The latest days, I have been setting
a " new speedrecord " in progression...Look at this......
- 10 / 8 : 3 flights- 1:55, 1:00, 2:25
- 11 / 8 : 3 flights - 1:30, 1:45, 1:20
- 12 / 8 : Cross country into Class B airspace in Charlotte..........Very! interesting
experience.
I am been checked out for solo night flying/ night
XC + checkout in the 172 skyhawk.
I am about 20 hours into the commercial program,
with most advanced manouvers vell under way.
Instrument approaches - ILS, NDB, VOR, all work really good now, so as you can
see, things are going
pretty smooth for me down here. Lets hope I can keep this pace up !!
Stand by for many cool new pictures - coming up........
8 / 8 : I am a private
pilot !!!!
After 1 hour of oral exam, followed by 1,3 hours in the air, I got my first
licence here at NAIA.
The first to be a pilot of both FAA and JAR / FCL students in the june class
!
I am very happy with that.....
6 / 8 : Had to abort my morning flight due
to very heavy rain appearing out of nowhere....... made 2 laps in the
pattern before that......awaiting my FAA checkride - most likely wednesday.
Have done all the homework..,
so all I need is the appointment......
Final FAA private written test : 97 % score.
5 / 8 : Study all weekend........+fly A
LOT on the flightsim - practice approaches, departures, arrivals........
instrument course starts as soon as I have my private lisence.
3 / 8 : Another solo cross country - 290
nm towards the north. Made 10 landings at tower controlled airports !
4:15 hours, wery satisfying and challenging flight!.
See the pictures from the approach into Fayettwille
Intl.
2 / 8 : The whole class on visit to Myrtle
beach TRACON / Tower. Interesting to see how it looks like for
the people on the ground, controlling us up in the sky.
1 / 8 : Join me om my first solo cross country. An experience I will always remember .
29 / 7 : Cross country Columbia - Florence
- and back to Conway via Marion.
My best Cross country yet ! Today I really felt good, ATC is getting good, and
flying is fun !
This is captain Sletten,
and here are my first officer
Viggo Olsen - Have a nice flight !
26 / 7 : Dual flight - Standardize flight manouvers
25 / 7 My first night cross country ! Beautiful
flight from Conway to Wilmington, back to Grandstrand and
Myrtle beach. Touch / go at all 3 airports. Landed back at Conway.
165 Nm superb flight !!
25 / 7 : Started out on a solo training
flight, but vere soon clouded in, had to turn back to Conway,
did a few turns in the pattern.
22 / 7 : Dual, short - soft field - emergency procedures
21 / 7 : First XC flight ! Conway - Charlston
- Columbia and back to Conway, ca. 300 km. ( 4 hrs )
TOTALLY SUPERB ! Now I am really starting to feel like a pilot !.
ILS approach to rwy 5 at Columbia ( Under the hood )
19 / 7 : Short field take offs / landings - soft field take offs / landings. Emergencies
18 / 7 : Solo flight all by myself out in
the practice aera ! Absolutely superb feeling to go all by my self,
navigate to and from, do all the radio communications, fly the plane, and just
have a good time !!
17 / 7 : FINALLY ! My very first solo flight ! Check out the pictures from MY and Leonards first solo !
17 / 7 : Written exam : Aviation meterology -Aviation weather forecast -Aviation weather services : 100% score
16 / 7 : Very nice evening flight in the pratice aera........checkride passed ....!!!
15 / 7 : Checkride delayed till monday...... Oral exam passed..........
14 / 7 : A whole day as pure tourists ! Swimming in the sea at the beach - went
down south to Georgetown,
bought fresh shrimps at the docks, and finally I got the chance to watch the
movie Pearl harbor !
That movie really touched me ! definately one of the best movies I have ever
seen !
NO STUDIES today !!!!!!!!!!!!!
13 / 7 : Busy day here at NAIA : first I
flew my presolo stagecheck with my instructor - PASSED !
then groundschool, then written and oral presolo in the afternoon - PASSED !
( 2 hours oral )
After that, I was feeling pretty "empty". Me and Leonard + his wife
went down to Myrtle beach to spend the
night in his fathers condo, overwhelming good feeling to sleep in a GOOD bed
again !!!! Toured the town
a while, before that ( very nice summer evening )
Sunday me and Tina will go up for a last check before my first SOLO !! Hopefully
that will turn out good.....!?
This means that I will have about 12 hours training initially.
12 / 7 : Finishing off the last manouvers
left - ground reference manouvers. Very poor visibility due to haze.
returned to Conway and circled the pattern 5 times. Once i did a forward slip
directly on to a landing - cool !
Tomorrow will be my presolo checkride ! If everything goes well, I can solo before the weekend is over !!
We start to feel the pressure of the course - this is NOT a vacation......flying
and groundschool / studying
takes the full day. I feel lucky if I manage to exercise 3 times a week! Even
with my previous experience.
Those of you considering joining NAIA : start studying right now! the more you
know,
the easyer your life here ! 1:25
11 / 7 : Traffic pattern / emergency procedures. I know this might seem
like bragging, ......BUT !
my landings are great now - greased every one, even in a 5 kt crosswind. My
female instructor this evening
( Tina from Finland ) had a bad habbit of quitting my engine at every possible
occation. No problem!
Practised forward slips : From 1000 ft. over the threshold, to 50 ft. in half
the runway lenght !!
Vertical speed : - 4000 fpm....will even get helicopter pilots impressed.......
Flying is great fun - it is a little to hot though - 39 C.
This means a density altitude of almost 2500 ft. Airport elevation 34 ft. 1:00
11 / 7 : Rewiew of all manouvers - stalls - spins - takeoff - landing -
traffic pattern etc .....1:30
10 / 7 : Another very hot day here in Conway
( 35 C )
My engine broke down ( 1 magneto out ) flight canselled ???!!
Test : flight instruments - airspace - rules/regulations - engine ---- 94 %
score
.
9 / 7 : .....you start out at 5000 ft., reduces power to 1500 rpm, pulls
the yoke all the way back - and slams
the rudder to full deflection ..............guess what happens ???? S P I N
N.....!!
You flip rapidly over inverted, before your nose points strait down with a very
high rotation rate - the world
becomes quite blurry, and your speed increases fast, due to the fact that you
are going down vertically.
Power to idle - Neutralize rudders - ease the yoke forward - full opposite rudder,
and you recover.
Very cool manouver ! I don`t think you do this back home, only spin recognition.
Compulsory for the proffessional pilot program at NAIA.1.0
We even dive bombed the blue farm.........
I was probably a litle dehydrated this evening - you SWEAT in those aircraft.
Must drink more water !!!
8 / 7 : Traffic pattern - did 8 ok landings / takeoffs 1.15
7 / 7 : Steep turns - power on / off stalls
- emergency landing - traffic pattern.
This one was pretty good ! getting the hang of the rudder. Nailed all steep
turns !
Instructor had me land cross/tailwind........was good!
Very nice weather - clear skies and good thermals. 25 C 1.15
6 / 7 : 2.nd flight - steep turns - power
on / power off stalls - coordination practice.
Crosswind takeoff.....30`bank into the wind after liftoff eeeeehhh.....
Very hazy, coulden`t see for more than a mile.
The thing is so insensitive....like it doesen`t tell me anything, very far from
a paraglider or hangglider,
witch really "talks" to you in the air. But still, all manouvers good
! 1.15
5 / 7 : Finally !! My first flight here at NAIA!
I flew the whole flight from take off till landing,
steep turns, stalls, and heading / altitude exercises - traffic pattern - on
my first flight !!
My first impression of the 152 was how slow the controls were ! Especially
the elevator.
Compared to a hangglider, and even a paraglider, the thing is really stable,
so keeping altitude / heading
was really easy I think. OK , I admit it, the steep turns had the ball
" moving " a little........, and the flare
just a little to weak - it comes down to the fact that I constantly kept
undercorrecting when large
inputs were needed.
Landing was pretty good, and....the Instructor seemed satisfied....1.0
Hr.
What an incredible feeling it is to go flying again - I just got to have it....
More tomorrow!
4 / 7 : YESS .......!! Jar/ Fcl program is approved, and flying starts
tomorrow !!!!!
4 th. of july ( independence day here in the US ) There is supposed to be a
big fireworks show this evening.
No groundschool today, spent most of the day studying, copcpit drill later (
when it cools off ..)
3 / 7 : Looks like I have to wait until friday before flying........starting to become a little restless here......
2 / 7 : Grundschool again. I tell you; there`s a lot to learn in a very short time.....
28 / 6 : Our first test - Aerodynamics --
100 % score -- HEHEHE....Going to fly 2 hours night IFR this evening ......
27 / 6 : 3 hours IFR backseating, Man,- I love to fly !
26 / 6 : Very nice afternoon flight from Conway to Florence, app. 2 hours.
Beautiful sunset !
23 / 6 : My
roommate Leonard and me had a very nice evening down in Myrtle beach, watching
the
freakshow.....
22 / 6 : Got the phone installed. Unlimited
internet access !!
This is my adress : Lars Sletten, NAIA, 1700 Airport road, Conway,SC 29527,
USA
Tel. ( inside US ) : 843 397 8041
Email : flayhay@frisurf.no
20 / 6 : Back again ! school has startet , and I am on my way !
For those of you thinking of flight school - remember this phrase : JAR / FCL
- you will hear more
about it !!. For us europeans at NAIA this caused quite a commotion for a few
days.
As it seems now, the only way to get your JAR / FCL is to enroll in an approved
program that will
give you that. Conversion will be difficult, but I still urge you to check with
luftfartstilsynet about this
for updates.
Naia and nordic aviation cooperates, and has a pretty good program.
My class got a special deal on this since we are the first class doing this
program.
Some detalis on this :
- 6 months intensive study at NAIA
- Flight instructor job in the US 15 months ( max )
- Distance learning via internet ( 18 letters while working as a flight instructor
)
- 5 weeks fulltime school in sandefjord, Theory - MCC course - Flying - Jar
/ Fcl exam.
- JAR / FCL ATPL licence.
There is a little bug about this for us ...JAR / FCL is in action on 1 / 7 01.
This means we ( the europeans )
cannot fly until this date..........If we do, we will not get credit for the
hours in europe.......
The way things are now, you are in a very good position when holding a ATPL lisence !
Before you go, you must go see the doctor..................
13 / 6 : I have already 6 hours in the air,
flew 5 hrs yesterday - backseating, or " sandbagging "
as they call it.
Atmosphere at the school seems friendly, but intense. This is not at all a place
for people
to come for " partying "
The pressure is on you - you don`t have time for much else.
I really feared the warm weather, but it has been a nice surprise to find that
it isn`t bad at all.
Swimming in the pool at night, while aircraft are continuously taking off and
landing, is really neat !!
Rainy weather today, so I stay home studying - got around half of my books,
and they seem to stack about 50 cm....or about 10 kilos?
I ran a wet 10 kilometer - good feeling.
Still alone in the appartment, roommates coming in this weekend.
Guess I do some more instrument approaches on my computer - bye!
10 / 6 : Sitting
here in my new apartment by the airport. I have just aroused, the time is
12 30.
Outside there are airplanes taking off and landing all the time.
Yesterday I was REALLY tired after a long ( 30 hrs. ) trip. On the last leg,
the plane broke on us, so we had to depart, wait for a new airplane and take
off again at 0230 lcal time.
I was truly impressed when I found that that Donny from the school were still
waiting for me. Thanks !!.
I slept 10 secs. after hitting the hay.......
The appartment is quite nice, bed is OK, and things are looking pretty good.
Weather is somewhat warmer than home - around 30 C.
Now I must try to find something to eat, and look outside .......
5 / 6 : Almost there now! Things are getting into shape, but still busy
trying to get everything finalized.
This will be the last update before departure, so stay tuned for more when I
have settled down in the states.
I probably won`t be online again, before july this year.
See you.
3 / 4 : Working on the page that will function
both as a scrap book for me, + keeping you people
back home up to date on the events I experience.
Schedueled departure is june 9, from Oslo to New York to Atlanta and finally
to
Myrtle beach ins outh Carolina USA. School will start 16 / 6
NAIA is located at horry county airport, near the town of Conway. Check out the map !