Started flying...finally!!

Hi all,

I've been here in the USA for 1 month and after a few delays due to instructors' training we started our flying activity!

DiamondStar 637RC and our great team!

Great news is that we fly with a 3-1-3-1 roster pattern (plus weekends off) and because of that we've already managed to complete 6 missions:

• Effect of Controls
• Straight and Level Flight
• Climbing and Descending 1
• Medium Turns
• Climbing and Descending 2
• Stalling 1

Also, because we've already got some flying experience, our instructor started to let us practice some circuits and landings in different airports since the first mission (RT and takeoffs all done by ourselves from the beginning as well), which put us well ahead of the syllabus and give us some confidence with the aircraft (I managed to land it correctly at the end!).

The aircraft itself is very nice, brand new, G1000 and AutoPilot equipped, although non provided with a very powerful engine, which would have made a great difference in performance particularly in this hot weather (actual field elevation 1000ft, we usually take off with a density altitude of 4500 ft !!) and when we're full loaded, which we usually are as each of us can backseat the next cadet flying.

One of my landings in GYR Runway 21

One other great thing is the air out here is quite bumpy after 11.00 in the morning, so we're actually practicing the effects of thermals.

Next week stalling 2 and circuits to come!

Have a good weekend :)

USA finally

Well, after coming back from the UK my little holiday in Italy went by very quickly and on the 24th of June, 4 of us were on a United Airlines flight to Phoenix!

The 4 of us having our training in Phoenix

After more than 15 hours of travelling, we were welcomed by some of the cadets of CPs ahead of us which was a very kind surprise as they made us feel comfortable soon!

The center itself is amazing, everything is brand new and the social areas are very good: we've already had a couple of barbecue, some pool matches and a swimming-pool party where, by the way, we've been "initiated".

Starting...again!

After our "induction week" - basically some lessons that prepares you to face the proper side of the training - we have been given a week off.
This was mainly due to the lack of instructor here (CTC is training some more instructor for us and this took a little bit more time than expected) but we've been promised we'll catch up with the schedule soon.

During the very first American weekend we went to Las Vegas with some of the guys already here in Goodyear which was a great experience and we're planning to go to California for our next week off!
This just to give you an overview of how many experiences we can do here in the USA (although, yes, we're in the middle of the desert!).

From the Stratosphere - Las Vegas

Hope to update you soon, from the air-side!
Thank you for reading
Ricky