Travis AFB Airshow

close call for 2 F16s

USAF thunderbirds in their F16s

C17 Globemaster. Picture taken by me @ Travis AFB

Ground Effect

This topic usually is considered difficult to understand and many of my friends have been confused by it. Let me  try to explain it here in my own words, not in depth but conceptually. I would recommend reading multiple books or sources to get an accurate picture. Hopefully its easy to understand.

Ground effect occurs within a length of one wingspan over runway....in this ground effect, the induced drag reduces and giving a false sense of lift....hence during takeoff aircraft may take off at say 50kts instead of 60kts...but if we come out of ground effect immediately..there is not enough lift and aircraft will sink back...hence if the aircraft   lifts off earlier in ground effect...its recommended that maintain in ground effect till the a/s increases to required i.e. 60kts and then come out of gnd effect.
gnd effect occurs since the downwash (wingtip vortices) are effected by the runway or ground.

Studying for exams

Now that you have decided to be a private pilot and started taking lessons, you need to study for the exams. Now there are many books that you can refer to but it can get overwhelming. I would recommend using a standard study guide like jeppessen pilot book. I used that to prepare for all of my training including private, instrument and commercial. The language is easy to understand and has interesting images which makes it much easier to visualize. Apart from that get yourself the following books/material:

1. Sectional map for the area you will be flying. I used FAA sectional map.
2. Airport facility directory (AFD). This would be very handy in flying but equally important while studying as it has lots of useful information.
3. Question bank (I used Gleims)
4. FAR/AIM (latest publication based on year)

You may additionally purchase videos from kings school or sporty's which helps a lot. 

There is no shortcut to studying. You may think why not study the question bank and clear the exam, its like you know how to drive but you will not know the rules. Hence I would recommend you to study the books thoroughly and then jump on to question bank. 

If you consistently get 80-85% in sample test, then you are good to go for the exam. Just don't forget to take the endorsement from your instructor. 

There are 2 patterns of exams given by different groups (lasergrade or CATS). Be sure which one is available in your school or wherever you plan to give and prepare your questions accordingly.

Good Luck......

Learn to Fly - First Flight

Welcome to the fascinating world of flying. Having wings is rewarding. Its a totally different experience and very pleasurable. It opens of avenues of exploring for you. So if you are interested in flying, go ahead and fulfill your dreams. Flying has always been my passion and dream. But I not only dared to dream but make it a reality. If you have made up your mind and are dedicated to learn a new skills, here are the steps for you.

1. Locate a flying school/club near your location. Its not difficult, you a google will turn up some nice flight schools. If you have any friends or referrals that's good too and it made your choices easier.
2. Do some research on the flight school. Its always a good idea of find out the reviews on the flight school. If the flying school/club has lots of budding pilots then ofcourse that gets a higher ranking. What you need to look in a school is, number of aircraft (single engine e.g. Cessna 152/172 etc), students at any point of time, number of instructors (in case you need to work with another one) and of course the maintenance staff.
3. Find our the instructors available in that school. You may get the list of instructors from the website of the school or by reading reviews and other information on net. Finding out a good instructor is equally important as finding out the school. The instructor will instrumental in giving you the wings you always desired.
4. Contact the school and make an appointment with the instructor. The schools always have an intro flight option. Its always important to take that intro flight as after that you will come to know if thats something up your alley.
5. Take the intro flight. I am sure you would love it. I had some nervousness about it and was little shaky after the flight, but I knew it instantly that I want to fly.
6. After the flight talk to the instructor, its important that you guys gel well. Experience counts with the instructors but many times you will find less experienced ones taking extra steps to make it enjoyable for you. Its all about being comfortable. My first instructor was not that experienced in teaching (I think I was first few of his student) however very knowledgeable guy.
7. Get to know about the school.
8. Do the paper work with the school to enroll. Some clubs have membership fees that you need to pay.
9. That's it. You may now fly and enjoy the sky.

Once you enroll and are committed to learn flying. School will ask you to follow some steps like take medical (class 1/2/3 depending upon your need). I would suggest go for Class 1, in case you want to take your passion steps ahead to become commercial pilot.

Secondly you need to go through a background check with TSA (and possibly finger printing if you are a foreign student).

Now you are legal to fly....enjoy.......