I know it has been a while since my last post but I've been busy working on my private pilot license and that hard work has finally paid off because today I passed my check ride and am now officially a pilot!!! Yea!!!
It was a long day but it was worth it. I arrived at the Marion Airport at 5:30 AM so I could do my flight plans and weather calculations before leaving for Marshalltown, IA, for my 9 AM check ride. I flew solo to Marshalltown where the examiner and I started going over the necessary paperwork, followed by an hour long oral test. I passed that and we got in the airplane and did several take offs and landings before heading out on a cross country trip I had planned. After 10 or so miles on the cross country, I had to do some maneuvers and flew under the hood. Nothing like flying blind!
Well, when I landed back at Marshalltown, I was informed that I had passed. Very exciting! There were several pilots in the lounge and they congratulated me. They were wondering if my next step was going to learn to fly the nice jet parked out in front. I doubt that will be my next step but who knows? Maybe someday. I think my next step is to get checked out in a bigger plane--a Cessna 172--so I can give rides. I know Jon is looking forward to riding with me but he won't fit in the little 150 I fly.
I flew back to Marion and was back home by 3 where I promptly took a nap. Hopefully now I will have more time to relax and get some things done around the house. And, of course, get some flying in!
