Haven't been flying, have a good excuse!

About five weeks ago, my wife and I became the proud parents of the baby girl pictured above.  Will get back to flying as soon as my schedule allows :D   Now its off to change a diaper!

Youngest passenger / first flight

Last month, Steve over at a mile of runway spoke about his enthusiasm for sharing GA flight with other people.  He and I are on the same wavelength on this matter.  I recently got to take my niece up for her first flight in a GA aircraft.  This was to be a "test the waters" flight to see if she was cool with the concept.  She is now officially my youngest passenger!  I had to chuckle when her first question was " can we do a loop? "   :-D   She did enjoy the flight even though we didn't do any loops!

Caught! Cessna 162

Caught my first Skycatcher!  For whatever reason, this one had the doors removed.  It was hot that day!? :D

Aviation Art

 

Rendered this image of a P-47 Thunderbolt from a picture I had taken at the annual "Thunder Over Michigan" airshow.  This is a finger painting of sorts, as I made this using an app called SketchBook Pro using only my iPad and my finger.

Instrument Rated!

June 18.  Instrument Checkride passed with no major hiccups.  The oral was not as punishing as some might make it sound, then again I have been studying like crazy even after the written was complete (iPad app with IR test prep comes in very handy here!).  The flight portion was a whirlwind of activity, ILS, GPS partial panel - missed to the published hold, Localizer BC circle to land.  It was hot, humid, and bumpy from thermals... but everything worked out great and my examiner was throwing out tasty nuggets of knowledge the whole time. 

Now its time to set my personal minimums, and start planning some trips!

"The Humbler"

Tonight's flight was very local, as there were big piles of precipitating clouds lurking in the hazy skies.  RNAV GPS 24 approach into Ann Arbor (KARB), then vectors for the ILS 23L at Willow Run (KYIP) this one flown with the attitude indicator "FAILED"... then more vectors for a simulated "NO GYRO"  (DG failed) VOR-A approach at Willow to a full stop.  Grueling, punishing, rapid fire approaches, but all very worth it and humbling.

Passed my instrument written exam yesterday with a 90% score.  Have a cross country planned for Sunday which should take care of my remaining required hours of simulated/actual.

Soon we will be talking oral/flight test!

Passing 200 hours total time, and loving every minute of it

Went for an instrument training flight with my instructor today.  Highlights included [foggled] slow flight, two power off stalls, an unusual attitude recovery, holding pattern entry with two laps, and an LPV GPS approach.

Best part:  during my debrief my instructor says "you are officially ahead of the airplane"

2nd best part:  passing 200 hours total time.

More buffing and polishing of my technique, and a written in my future!