Post #13 & 14 - Actual IMC

In case you are wondering, those are foggles on my forehead. They're used to limit my vision.

#13
It's been almost a month since I flew last. I've been busy with studying for finals and projects. But was able to get two flights in recently. Yesterday was my first actual IFR flight plan. I filed the plan online through duats.com and activated/received my clearance while in the air. We took off out of Logan in VFR conditions and started flying the plan. After reaching the Brigham City VOR I turned North to head towards my destination of Pocatello, ID. On the radio I called up the Salt Lake City Center and received my IFR clearance to go to Pocatello. On the way there, there were a few cumulus clouds that we were able to fly through. This was special to me because it was my first time in the clouds. On VFR flights you have to avoid the clouds, but since I was on an IFR plan I was able to go right into the heart of the cloud. We were in the clouds off and on for about 10 minutes. When in the clouds you need to turn on the carburetor heat because the excess moisture and cold temperature can form ice in the carburetor, but we didn't have any issues with it. Structural ice is common in clouds too and we did pick up trace amounts of mixed structural ice. It melted shortly after we exited the cloud and wasn't a problem. Here is another picture of me flying in the clouds. It was a great experience, notice how you can't see anything outside when you are actually in it. And yes, it really was that bright in the cloud.

Those pictures were from yesterday to Pocatello (KPIH). I was in the clouds for about 10 minutes on the way up, and 15 minutes on the way back after performing an ILS approach and touch-n-go in PIH. What a great flight for experience. I got to see actual IMC, freezing rain, and mixed ice. Loved it!


#14
Today, I went on another Cross-country IFR flight with 30 minutes of actual IMC. I Filed on Duats.com again and began by flying West of SLC. I was vectored around the airspace of Salt Lake City International to get to Provo (KPVU). The approach I requested was the VOR 13 into Provo with a circle to land on runway 13. Did a touch-n-go on 13 and then flew the PROVO FOUR DEPARTURE. While climbing to the Fairfield Vortac I contacted Cedar City Radio and filed a new IFR plan to get home. After filing, I then contacted Salt Lake Center to pick up my clearance. I was later vectored on the East of SLC and performed a visual approach back home in Logan. Another great day. 30 minutes in the clouds and a great flight!

Post # 12 - Summer plans and artwork

Hello everyone! Spring Semester 2010 is over and the grades are beginning to be posted. So far 2 A's. I really enjoyed the semester but am still excited that I am getting that much closer to being done. This summer my plans are to work and fly as much as possible. I am hoping to get enough flying done so that I can be completed with my commercial license by the end of Fall semester. The weather should be good and I should have enough money, so nothing should stand in my way!

The other day I got a little bored so I decided to sketch an airplane. I have never really been very artistic, and have been limited to drawing stick figures, and those weren't even that good. So I was amazed with what I ended up with. I was so proud of myself that I framed it and added a little card of the specs. Here are some pics of two sketches I did. The F-22 was the first sketch and the Mustang was the second.

I really enjoyed drawing them so I went out and bought some sketching pencils and pads.

I have a flight scheduled for wednesday. I will let you know how it goes. It is my first IFR cross-country flight. I hope everyone gets to do everything they want this summer, Lindsay and I have some fun plans.

Post #11 - Instrument Stage II Check!

I passed! Stage II is behind me. I am excited to be done with stage II. It is supposed to be one of the harder ones. Now I get to move on to cross country IFR flights.

The Stage check was composed of a written test, oral questions, and a flight. The oral portion usually take 2 hours, but we whipped through it in a little under an hour and a half. The questions went great, I knew almost all the answers and was able to work my way through most the ones that I didn't know. The flight went great too. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day here in Utah; close to 80 degrees and hardly any clouds in the sky. Only slight turbulence at some altitudes. On the departure from LGU-Logan airport, I was climbing out at 73 Knots, aprx 80 mph, and was under the hood, then the instructor said "I have the airplane" and he started to maneuver the airplane in short, sharp movements. I saw out of the corner of my eye, to the left and under the plane, a flock of medium sized birds. I'm glad he saw them because the hood restricts all the view outside in front of the plane.

We then continued on with the flight. The instructor had me perform 2 holding patterns west of the Brigham City VOR, and then I performed some compass turns and timed turns. We then went southward to Ogden. I flew the VOR 7 and ILS 3 approach with partial panel and then came back to Ogden for the GPS 35 approach. The whole flight portion took 1.6 hours.

Post # 10 - Welcome back Justin

Justin recently got back from a Multi Engine hour building course. We went flying on Wednesday to iron out any kinks. The flight went great and I feel comfortable doing instrument approaches in Ogden while communicating with Approach and Tower. I now have my stage II instrument check scheduled for Monday! It is going to be a busy week. I have the stage check, a report due, and a talk I have to prepare. I can't wait for summer to get here. However, it will probably feel just like any other time because I am going to be taking a few classes, but will get to fly about 3 times a week! Im excited to get some more cross country time in. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

On a side note, we had a 4.9 earthquake yesterday afternoon around 6pm. I was working when it happened and Lindsay was at home. Neither one of us felt it. No damage reported. Hopefully, that was the "BIG" one we have been expecting. It was the largest earthquake Utah has had in 18 years.

New High Score

A big SORRY to Lindsay. I beat her high score on the game "helicopter"
High Scores
We need more participants. Come on! Show us what you're made of! Play the game HERE and post your score in my high score section or send it to me. Good luck!