Helicopter Dreams

After gone through two weeks of hard study, covering Air Law, Operational Procedures, Human Performance and Radio Navigation, I now need to study even more to pass first the Qualifying Tests at school and then the exams for the Swedish Aviation Authorities (Luftfartsstyrelsen). A couple of days ago I decided to check on internet for good resources in Radio Navigation and then I found this database with 14 000 JAA ATPL questions that you can use for free! A perfect resource preparing for the exams. The alternative would be to subscribe to the Oxford Aviation database, now that’s just waist of money, I’ll stick to this site instead.

So, maybe you’re interested to check it out, here you are: http://www.aviationtire.com/atpl.cfm

Now it’s time for a glass of wine, it’s Friday night for gods sake, no study tonight!

I just love the web! Today I found a perfect summary of the ATPL theory course, thank you Rob Groothuis for that piece of paper! Well structured, divided in each subject. For those of you that are interested to take part of it, just click the link above (links to the pdf document) and you’ll save some time when preparing the exams.

Thanks Rob!

So, what happened? After two months of silence, a Private Pilot Licence in my pocket, I’ve now decided to continue with the next challenge, the Commercial Pilot Licence. Why stop now? Now it’s just to mobilise energy to go through the theory and start looking for some financing (if you have some extra money, give me a call).

This week I started the theory part of the CPL(H) course at Flygteoriskolan. The theory part is pretty much the same as in the ATPL course except from some parts. And instead of studying full time for 6 months as in the ATPL course, this on is based on a lot of home studies, then you meet for 3 x 2 weeks in class and examination.

The first part that started this week will cover the following subjects, Air Law, Operational Procedures, Radio Navigation and Human Performance. For those of you that have gone through the ATPL course you know that it’s shit loads of reading. I for sure know what to do this summer, fun!

Tomorrow I’ll go flying with SE-JUU (see picture below) from Bromma airport, so if you’re in Stockholm and you see a black little bubble flying over your head, wave to me!

FPP (Flight Planning and Performance) - 95 %
AGN (Air craft General Knowledge) - 85 %

That means that I have passed all the 9 qualifying tests at school, great! Tomorrow I’ll write 4 of them for LFV. If, if if I pass them I have 3 more before I’m totally done with the theory.

 Status right now:
Accumulated flight time:  10 hours
COM: QT (PASSED) LFV (PASSED)
HP:  QT (PASSED) LFV (PASSED)
AL: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE) 
OP: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE)  
AGN: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE) 
FPP: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE) 
PF: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE) 
MET: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE) 
NAV: QT (PASSED) LFV (NOT DONE)  

Now it’s time to chill for the rest of the day! 

So, another long day, first full day at work then went for the LFV test in HP (Human Performance) which I passed (85%) and then 4 hours of simulated flying and round up of the PPL course. We are 7 people from the course that will continue with the PPL(H) bridge course that starts January 25. I really should try to do the LFV tests in NAV and MET before that!

Talked to Jon, my instructor at Helicopter Assistance, today who asked if was interested in booking some airtime. I can’t wait, need to do the bookings for January and February soon!

100 % on the Human Performance Qualifying Test, 20/20, that’s my Markus! I already signed up for the LFV test tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the last lesson with the class before our PPL(H) bridge course. We’ll do some simulated flying to summarise what we’ve learned. Need to go to bed, had no sleep last night, my son pushed me out of bed. Good night!

Horrible, almost one month since I wrote something. I’ve been far to busy on work and then had a great Christmas vacation for almost 2 weeks in the northern part of Sweden, meaning that I haven’t been in the air for a loooong time now, I’m really looking forward to speed up the theory and the flying during January to March.

Tomorrow we have QT (Qualifying tests) in Human Performance, the last subject together with the class. After that we’ll continue with the last five helicopter specific subjects during three long weekends in January and February. As I mentioned earlier it’s too much to handle besides a full time job and a family, that’s why it feels good that I’ll work part time during spring. My accumulated flight time so far is 10 hours and I’m really eager to continue flying more frequently.

Hmm….still haven’t decided how to do with the CPL theory that starts in september.

I also have to do the LFV tests in Meteorology and Navigation, it was a while since I passed the QT, need to book that!

Tip of today: I found a good blog that might be interesting for you, it’s a girl called Kristie that is describing her way to the certificate. Click here to read it!

Today was the first lesson in Human Performance, the effects of flight on the human body. Our teacher Mr Oebius, an old experienced flight captain was talking about Human Physiology and High Altitudes, Eyesight and Visual Illustrations, Hearing and Balance, Am I Fit To Fly? Had a lot of “flash backs” from schooltime when talking about the different parts in you ears and eyes. Ask your self, do you remember the difference between the “stavar” and “tappar” (don’t know the english name, think it’s ”cones” and “something else”)?

We also learned that “…heroin is a “safe” drug. The substances of heroin it self makes no damage to your body. It’s extremely addictive though and that can cause a lot of problems. So if you’re rich and can afford buying the heroin and needles your self it’s more or less safe.” Hmmm…that was not the picture I got in school during the 80’s, have to check that up!

No flying today because of bad weather…AGAIN! Next flight is booked on Friday…please!