Mark's Pilot Log

I passed my Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) and Flight Instructor - Airplane (FIA) written tests today (98 and 97 respectively). I proceeded straight from the testing center to the FSDO to be issued my shiny (not really) new Ground Instructor - Advanced Temporary Airman Certificate. After passing FAA checkrides for my various pilot certificates and ratings, the AGI just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. But, here's a scary thought: I can legally teach aviation now. Granted, it's just ground school, but there's a lot of material that I'm authorized to impart on others.

According to the FARs I can:

Sec. 61.215 - Ground instructor privileges.

(b) A person who holds an advanced ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:

(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of any certificate or rating under this part;

(2) Ground training required for any flight review; and

(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of any certificate under this part.

So I can legally provide one half of the training required for any pilot certificate or rating except Instrument ratings. That includes rotorcraft, gliders, and blimps. I've never even been in a blimp, but I can legal teach ground school for it... Of course, airspace, navigation, and weather are the same regardless of the category and class of aircraft you're flying, but still. It would seem odd to be giving someone instruction for a balloon pilot's license when I've never been closer than 100 feet to one.

What an odd concept.

I had my first checkout flight in a club plane this evening. We flew the 172R. Now, those who know me know that I don't care for Cessnas too much, but this plane is absolutely the best plane I've ever flown. It's smooth, comfortable, and quiet (for a GA plane). I was absolutely amazed. I think it may just end up being my standard local flying aircraft. It has an autopilot that is coupled to the GPS or number one VOR. It can also just follow the bug on the DG or be a simple wing leveler (its default mode). It's simple to use and actually works (unlike the autopilots on the Archer and Cherokee Six the Meteor's had).

I didn't get a chance to play with GPS. It's an older Bendix/King model, but it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out. The dual Nav/Coms are Bendix/King KX155As, which I had never used before (we had KX155s in the Meteor's planes; I hadn't known that there was much of a difference), give you bearing to/from the tuned in VOR, as well as the standard flip-flop tuning that you get with the KX155. I haven't learned everything it does yet, but it's pretty cool.

The thing that amazed me most about it was how solid it felt compared to all the other Cessnas I've flown. I'm completely amazed at how much I like this plane.

I did my checkout flight in the club's Piper Saratoga today. Most of the time was spent messing with the GPS and autopilot. I've never used an autopilot with altitude hold before. It's actually a little disconcerting at first, but once you get used to it, it's pretty cool. It will definitely make a long trip less tiring.

And of course, the Garmin 430 is pretty awesome too. I just wish there was a way to store a flight plan in a handheld like the 295 and sync it to the panel mount.