Checkride: COMPLETE!!!

I PASSED MY INSTRUMENT CHECKRIDE!! 

God is so wonderful and has given me the ability to fly and to pass my exams successfully!
At first I was super nervous and this past week I was studying every moment I could get. When I got to the test site I was relaxed and the examiner was super nice and friendly and made it go smoothly. I had the same examiner for my private pilot checkride so I knew what it would be like. We first filled out some standard paperwork and then transitioned into the oral part of the test. I had to do some pre-flight planning to an airport but we were not actually going to fly there. We talked over the route I picked, what would happen if I lost communication, what if the weather was really bad, and about altitudes on the "highway" on our route. We also looked at some approach charts and such and discussed them. The oral part took about 1.5 to 2 hours and then I drove back over to the hangar and got the plane ready and taxied back to pick up my examiner (other end of the airport).

The radar was out at Bowman (LOU) and Standiford (SDF) so we could not get flight following as we had planned. So the examiner just went through a clearance as if he were the tower. We then taxied to the active runway and took off! Once we were over the river and in Indiana we did some steep turns, unusual attitudes, holding patterns and general navigation. After that we did 2 approaches into Clark County (JVY) and they went perfect! The wind was strong and it was turbulent around the lower altitudes but not too bad. When we were heading East/ Northeast we had a tailwind that gave us about ~130 kts of ground speed (150mph/ 240kph) and then when we reversed direction (Southwest) we were going at about 70 knots (ground speed- 80 mph/ 130kph). Once we finished the approaches at JVY we began an approach into LOU and followed it home. That was the end of the exam!! I PASSED! :) Afterwards I met Lee (my instructor) at the hangar and we talked about the test and how it went. In other aviation news: I sent in a scholarship application so pray that God will provide in any way he chooses!

Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, and I will sing praises to Your name. Psalm 18:49

What's next you say?...

Well first, papers and tests that are due for school. I will probably fly once in awhile when I get the chance and do some cross country trips here and there. When it gets to be colder/ worse weather I'll go fly with Lee in the winter. I will also begin working on my commercial pilot's license which includes longer flights, more maneuvers, 100+ hours cross country flights, and 20+ hours with an instructor. I will expand on this in a later blog. 

But for now, I'm going to enjoy some freedom from studying, after I finish writing 3 papers due on or before Wednesday! 

Fly with Christ,

Helen

Instrument Checkride!

Well it's finally here! I will be taking my instrument practical test at the end of the week!
The checkride is where I have an examiner sitting next to me and testing me on maneuvers, approaches, and everything I've learned thus far. It's like a driver's license test where you have to parallel park and back up except a lot harder. There is also an oral part of the test which will be done at the same time/ before we go up in the air. When I pass my test, I will be instrument rated which means I will be able to fly in bad/ marginal weather by reference to instruments. This is one of the 3 major parts of the licenses/ experience I need to get to qualify to be a missionary pilot. After this I will begin to work on my Commercial pilot's license which builds on to what I know.
You can be praying for me that my test will go well, and that I wont be anxious but well prepared!
I'll keep you posted on what happens!
Fly with Christ,

Helen