I never was so good at tests.....

I was scheduled for a flight today, but for reasons out of my control we had to cancel. Ive been devoting at least 1hr a day to my studies when I get home from work. Im consistently getting 80 - 90%s, and Im still lacking a plotter and e6b.

I dont have much of a formal education, and tests like this one make me glad I never had todo the SATs etc. I couldnt imagine the stress level at that age. Realisticly, Im now aiming for the week after next to take my test. Ill talk with my instructor about it, and get his feedback once we meet again :)

I got my g1000 simulator in the mail yesterday, some good stuff. Very complex, and I have a lot to learn. Ive been playing some of the more 'highend' flight simulator planes for a year or so now. Not to say they are identical, or even a good training tool but Im at least familiar with what pfds, mfds, fmcs are. Programming a flight plan is basicly like programming a FMC, a little less complicated. One thing I can not figure out is how to adjust the starting location of the aircraft when the sim starts up.

I was reading an article over at http://freightdogtales.blogspot.com/ on holds with the gns480 hardware. I was suprised to read that the g1000 along with a few others arent allowed to be used for primary navigation if the underlying navigational aids are out of service. I know that hardware exists which can be used in such circumstances, just funny/odd that the g1000 wasnt rated for this....

The nearest function is something neat tho, being able to simply click the button and the tower or unicom gets pasted into the com1 radio. I can see how one could get spoiled. The builtin checklist is a really nifty feature as well.

Rain induced studying....

I started out my day by having to return the keys to N328SP, boy did I feel lame. After my flight yesterday I pocketed the keys I guess. Imagine that ;)

Its been pouring since early this morning. What a great chance to vegetate and read flight books!

I started studying for the written exam ... I want to get it out of the way as soon as possible this time around. Last time I hemmed and hawed (sp) about it. None of that this time. I finally read the Gleims written exam guide cover to cover. What a spectacular read! (any of you who have read these books know its painful). Im still struggling with weather and navigation. The other stuff comes pretty naturally, as most of the answers follow common sense (MOST! some seem almost contradictory to rules set forth else where). I need to go get myself a flight computer and plotter tomorrow so I can practice up on my e6b skills and plotting skills. Ill be using my Machados book as my instructor for ground school for now. I scored an 88% on the sample test (good enough to pass, but not up to my personal 90% minimum goal).

I was talking with my instructor, and he said that they do not offer ground school via my FBO. Bummer. I dont want to pay for King stuff, as Ive seen some of the videos/DVDs they put out, and they are just a bit "cheesey" for the intro to flight series. Id rather invest in some good books, and spend time resarching on the web. I find the Gleims books hard to read, but suit my style of learning well. Much like flight lessons, the instructor does, then the student. Each chapter covers some vital portion of the test (weather, navigation, x-country, etc), then has each of the questions pertaining to that section at the end of the chapter.

My camera died on us (I apoligize for the lack of pictures) and we lost a bunch of photos wed rather not have :( (daughters birthday and all). Im thinking of replacing it with a nikon coolpix 5700. With a 3 year old in the house I need a camera, and Id like to use it for pics of the aircraft as well. Does anybody have experience with one? Weve got a canon s400 weve had for a few years now that keeps giving us the dreaded "Memory Card Error". I hate companies that dont stand by thier product but thats a whole 'nother post (blog even maybe).


Books Ive got that I like (so far):

• Private Oral Exam Guide
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560275790/103-6527662-7152604?v=glance&n=283155)
• Rod Machados Private Pilot HandBook
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963122991/103-6527662-7152604?v=glance&n=283155)
• Gleims Written Exam Guide
  (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581941285/103-6527662-7152604?v=glance&n=283155)