BFR AND CHECKOUT ARE COMPLETE, NOW WHAT?
I have not had the opportunity to do a whole lot of flying over the past year or so because of the new job I took at Lighting & Production Equipment in Atlanta. This has certainly taken a tremendous amount of my time and energy. I am, however, now using my college degree, which is Television Production. I’m making pretty good money, for a change, and I am having a lot of fun at the same time. Summer is a slow time in the production business so I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity, knock out a BFR and get reacquainted with flying.
TIME FOR A NEW MEDICAL
I went down to a new doctors office close Atantas Hartsfield Jackson Airport by
recommendation of an instructor friend of mine, Shawn Hardin, and upped my medical. I must say that out of all of the offices I have gone, this one takes the prize. Very clean and very professional so if you’re in the Atlanta area then go and visit Dr. Thomas Faulkner, MD. I will again.
NOW HOW ABOUT AN AIRPLANE TO FLY
Next, I wanted to check out at one of the local flight schools or flying clubs, being that I don’t own an airplane so that I could just go when I wanted and fly. I chose Superior Flight School at KRYY in Marietta. 98% of my air time has all been in the old faithful, Cessna 172. Some of the local clubs and school have a few more options for aircraft but, for the most part, it’s the 172. It’s a very good bang for its buck, It’s very reliable and, not to mention, forgiving. Additionally, my BFR is coming up due in November so no better time than now to freshen up.
TIME TO KNOCK THE RUST OFF
I finally had the opportunity to go spend a few hours with an instructor last Saturday. We flew a 2000 Cessna model 172S with a KLN 94. I explained that I needed to both check out and to take care of my BFR. We went through the old
routine of standard, soft field and short field takeoffs and lands, power on and power off stalls, steep turns (my favorite) turn around a point and a little bit of pilot dead reckoning (among a few other tasks as well). Once back at the airport, he spent some time drilling me on the Far/Aim, charts, and navigation. At the end of the day, my instructor was happy with my performance and I now have another airplane to fly.
SO, WHAT NOW?
Well, It’s time for one of those $100 hamburgers with the guys. There is simply nothing better than the smell of 100LL in the morning and the view from 3000 feet. Come on, let’s fly!
Safe skies to all,
Tommy Eldridge
