THOUGHTS

Winter has fallen upon us here in the pacific northwest. Just a few weeks ago we had our first official snow. Maybe that will be all this year, haha probably not. I work with the public day in and day out. 5 days a week I'm always meeting different people. Just the other day I had the opportunity to meet a guy who is currently working on his LSA certification. Can't wait to go out the airport and take a look at the plane he is learning. Anytime I have an excuse to go the airport i like to use it.
Haven't been putting much away these days towards my dream. So for now I just talk about aviation as much as I can. I did however get signed up at Goldseal Online. From the looks of it, seems like it is a legit online ground school. Still haven't gotten enough input from others to tell if it's worth my time or not. For now I'll stick to reading as much as I can and asking as many question as i can.
Just a few random thoughts. This is a blog after all. Until next time, keep flying.

Flight Simulators

Flight simulator games are alot of fun to play. I remember back in 96-97 my parents bought me a copy of Microsoft flight Sim 95. I had fun playing it but i got way to frustrated with it. One i didn't know how to control the airplane, and two our family computer at the time wasn't equiped well enought to run such a "Futuristic Game". I mean come on did microsoft really think that this someday would develope into such a realistic game? Probably.


Fast Forward 13-14 years. I still haven't lost that itch to learn to fly. Yes microsoft, even though you fired your whole ace's team, this game is as close to the real thing you can get. I recently installed the newest version of microsoft flight sim (FSX). What a differnce from FS95. Well I guess that is to be expected. My computer runs it okay not the greatest. One of the best things i like about the game is you can fly a cessna loaded with the G1000. FSX even has detailed insturction on how to use it!



I also have FS 2002 and let me tell you my computer runs it like a champ. I have graphics turned all up. Only problem I have with it, is now my controll stick is acting up. I am anticipating the arrival of FS 2004. I am very intrested to find out how its going to run. Everything I have read about FS 2004, says this it the best one out of all. We will shortly see.



Untill then Lets get flying!!!

Oak Harbor, WA Fly-In

Better late then never, right? What a great step for Oak Harbor. For those that don't know the airfield in Oak Harbor, wa (formerly Wes Lupien) has a new name and new owner. A.J. Eisenberg purchased the airport with many plans on upgrading and hopefully exciting the aviation community again, here on Whidbey. You may have guessed, the new name is A.J. Eisenberg (KOKH).
I have read alot of mix feelings about the renaming of the airport. I certainly would hope a plaque would be placed so we can remember, Wes Lupien and what he did for Oak Harbors aviation community. Futher more to honor him and his family.
Now on to the the Fly-In. What a great time. I myself always have fun just watching a plane take flight. Turnout was not huge by any mean, but it was a good start. I certainly enjoyed the RV-8 ( I think) that did a low pass over the runway.
I am excited to see what happens next. Stay tuned for pictures coming shortly.

OAK HARBOR, WA

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. I know i did. Just a quick little post. This weekend, September 12-13 in Oak Harbor, WA there is a fly-inn being held at the newly named A.J. Eisenberg Airport. I know i'll be down there, hopefully you will be too.

Flight in the Tecnam Sierra

So this was the first time i had ever flown in a LSA. As we were doing the pre-flight walk around, I could only think, "Wow this is such a small plane, what is i going to feel like in the air". Well, after we watched a glider soar over the top of us for a landing it was our turn. It seemed as though as soon as we started moving we were in the air, and heading to the NW. It was my turn at the controls. I couldn't belive how responsive this plane was. I was at the controls for about 15 min, leveling the plane out and making some turns. It was an amazing experience. If you ever get the chance to fly in a LSA, do it. Untill next time, Lets get flying!!!!

Saturday's Flight

I did finally get to take that flight in the Tecnam LSA on saturday. Mike let me borrow his Mp3 recorder and we had some fun with that. Anyways the flight was a blast. I'll describe it more in detail in the next couple of days and maybe post some audio.

Arlington

Today I found myself at the Arlington airport. Nope not to take a flight in a LSA, but just to visit the airport and meet some people. I visited with Jerry Painter today. Very awesome guy to talk to. I met up with Jerry in his shop, Wild Blue Aviation. Upon arriving I introduced myself to Jerry and we sat down and just talked about learning to fly and the differences between, light sport license and private license. Then we went out and took a gander at his planes. First plane we looked at was his Cessna 140 what an amazing classic aircraft, very beautiful. Next was the Bellanca. This is a very cool aircraft, I found it very interesting it has very smooth wood wings. Then I sat in the Cessna 172.I had a blast at Wild Blue today, just talking aviation and watching all of the activity going on at the airport in Arlington, WA. Thanks again for the BBQ and all the great information.

#2 Let Down

Saturday has come and gone. Unfortunately I was not able to take my first flight in a Sport Aircraft. I got a call on Thursday, telling me the plane was still down for maintenance. I rather fly in a well maintained aircraft then not. I did however stumble upon a way to record my first flight and some to come. I just need to get the equipment. My buddy (Mike) and I are working on this so we can get some recording going, and even some video podcast in the future. Keep those fingers crossed, and hopefully I will have new pictures up by next weekend. Stay tuned and lets get flying.

Saturday

Saturday I will take my first flight in a Tecnam Sierra sport plane. I have been in other smaller aircraft, but nothing that weighs less then 1320 LBS. Needless to say I am very excited. After this flight I have a feeling the savings account will start. I will post pictures of this new adventure and write about my findings here. In the future there will be a podcast started. Keep those fingers crossed and lets get flying.