Hi all
This weekend was like being in movies - we visited the ever famous Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. It's kind of different from Phoenix. To begin with, it is less clean, with trash all over the place. And there are more homeless people as well. But on the other hand it's much more exciting with loads of tourists here and there, and loads of exciting things to do.
On Friday we arrived late after a 7 hour drive and tried to find some place to stay. We found one room at one motel and another room in another, and we slept like 5 hours, before waking up to go to Universal Studios Hollywood.
I could describe Universal studios, but a picture is better than a thousand words, so you can just take a look at the albums!
Sunday morning we went to see the Walk of Fame, and it was quite interesting to see all the different signatures and footprints and handprints of famous people.
Long drive back and good long sleep - so today is a new day. Not flying today thank god - I AM tired. Today we should move to the apartments at last, hope it is nice.
Still kickin'
Kris
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
i'm off the ground!
Hey all
Today was the big day. Prepared our weather, flight report, and met with my instructor. He asked us to go and check whether the aircraft was still in the hangar cause they were inflating the suspensions and to get it out and prepare it for our flight.
We went out and found it still being inflated, so after waiting for like 15 min in 40 degree Arizona heat, it was ready for us. Did the walkaround, cockpit preparation (still with the book for now) and so that we still had to refuel - so - call the fuel truck, which took another 15 min cause they only had one truck in service. After refuelling, did all our checks and were cleared to taxi via the run up area to runway 4L... and off we went to our north east practice area.
Whoever back home who thinks that the ride of any aircraft is like that of an Airbus, think again. At one point I was flying towards the mountains at 6000 feet and encountered a gust... immediately looked at my altimeter and found it was 6500 feet! wow! Being used to the simulator were everything is all smooth and nice this was quite an experience - but I couldn't help but smiling! The instructor was quite happy with our flying overall, at least he seemed so. I was cleared to land runway 22L and kept the descent profile pretty well for the first time, though we had some light gusts here and there. The landing needs to be worked on (if people were at the back they wouldn't have clapped for sure :p) cause it was quite bumpy, but again, it is different in the real world than doing it on a pc.
So back home in the scorching heat, and thinking that tomorrow will be a holiday cause some of us did not fly yet. Wrong - I have to get up at 4am to fly at 6am - early rise.. but at least the ride will be a bit smoother I hope.
So, to the next one - mis u all guys (and girls) and I will try to upload some photos as soon as possible cause here the internet is really messed up!
Today was the big day. Prepared our weather, flight report, and met with my instructor. He asked us to go and check whether the aircraft was still in the hangar cause they were inflating the suspensions and to get it out and prepare it for our flight.
We went out and found it still being inflated, so after waiting for like 15 min in 40 degree Arizona heat, it was ready for us. Did the walkaround, cockpit preparation (still with the book for now) and so that we still had to refuel - so - call the fuel truck, which took another 15 min cause they only had one truck in service. After refuelling, did all our checks and were cleared to taxi via the run up area to runway 4L... and off we went to our north east practice area.
Whoever back home who thinks that the ride of any aircraft is like that of an Airbus, think again. At one point I was flying towards the mountains at 6000 feet and encountered a gust... immediately looked at my altimeter and found it was 6500 feet! wow! Being used to the simulator were everything is all smooth and nice this was quite an experience - but I couldn't help but smiling! The instructor was quite happy with our flying overall, at least he seemed so. I was cleared to land runway 22L and kept the descent profile pretty well for the first time, though we had some light gusts here and there. The landing needs to be worked on (if people were at the back they wouldn't have clapped for sure :p) cause it was quite bumpy, but again, it is different in the real world than doing it on a pc.
So back home in the scorching heat, and thinking that tomorrow will be a holiday cause some of us did not fly yet. Wrong - I have to get up at 4am to fly at 6am - early rise.. but at least the ride will be a bit smoother I hope.
So, to the next one - mis u all guys (and girls) and I will try to upload some photos as soon as possible cause here the internet is really messed up!
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| First Flights |
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
My first week
Hi all
My new blog. Guess I had to make up for the time difference and not being able to talk to family back home by creating this new account of my stay in Mesa, Phoenix, Arizona - USA.
Flying here was like hell... it was like running after the sun. After spending 8hrs 20 mins in a cramped up 777 watching movies on a 3 inch screen, you kind of think it's time to get out of that plane go to bed...
...till you look at the local time on the screen in front of you.. oh boy you were wrong!! Still 3 o clock in the afternoon and a six hour flight to go. Mobile phones didn't work (actually waiting for a new iphone as I write this blog :) ) and the sky was grey.. is it like in Belgium? In six hours we had the answer.... NO! Getting out of the airport in Phoenix was like getting into a hot cauldron- it was quite hot and it was 8pm!! Leaves you to think about the next morning.
Next day we went to school and Kim Mitchell, our blonde (with that nothing said :p) student administrator, took our fingerprints and after that it was a week of briefings at school.
In the meantime we bought a car which moves ( at least most of the time.. a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and made a bit of shopping here and there.
Tomorrow we start flying. Robert flew today and he felt sick cause it was in the afternoon.. but I don't care if I swim in my own v**** cause my dreams are slowly and surely coming true.
To close this post, I have only one word to describe USA -BIGGGGG... big Coke, big Malls, big Streets, big Women, everything is just huge.
TIll the next one
Kristian
My new blog. Guess I had to make up for the time difference and not being able to talk to family back home by creating this new account of my stay in Mesa, Phoenix, Arizona - USA.
Flying here was like hell... it was like running after the sun. After spending 8hrs 20 mins in a cramped up 777 watching movies on a 3 inch screen, you kind of think it's time to get out of that plane go to bed...
...till you look at the local time on the screen in front of you.. oh boy you were wrong!! Still 3 o clock in the afternoon and a six hour flight to go. Mobile phones didn't work (actually waiting for a new iphone as I write this blog :) ) and the sky was grey.. is it like in Belgium? In six hours we had the answer.... NO! Getting out of the airport in Phoenix was like getting into a hot cauldron- it was quite hot and it was 8pm!! Leaves you to think about the next morning.
Next day we went to school and Kim Mitchell, our blonde (with that nothing said :p) student administrator, took our fingerprints and after that it was a week of briefings at school.
In the meantime we bought a car which moves ( at least most of the time.. a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and made a bit of shopping here and there.
Tomorrow we start flying. Robert flew today and he felt sick cause it was in the afternoon.. but I don't care if I swim in my own v**** cause my dreams are slowly and surely coming true.
To close this post, I have only one word to describe USA -BIGGGGG... big Coke, big Malls, big Streets, big Women, everything is just huge.
TIll the next one
Kristian
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| First days in Phoenix |
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