I have to mention this because it really touches a nerve as for why I chose so late in life a professional flying career. So I’m doing my type rating right now, and our TRI is a very nice elderly gentleman, one of only two TRIs left for the type in Europe.
Obviously he’s very knowledgeable, but what fascinates me the most are the stories he tells us about his earlier life as pilot. What an adventurous life this man must have had. Just yesterday he mentioned “Oh, yeah, I remember when I flew for Henry Kissinger…” Or casually telling us about flying the DH Vampire, the Draken and whatnot. Or being a crewmember in the Catalina…
These stories are a lesson on their own!
I have the books & have passed the FAA IR Written & do take weather seriously. But I feel weak on interpretation & on knowledge of online sources.
Are there any courses that address weather from the practical standpoint of a x-country pilot, both IFR and VFR, with a focus on sources and interpretation?
I came across this the other day
It says that, for most GA aircraft, that if you have not reached 70% of your takeoff speed by the time you have reached 50% of the length of the runway, you should abort the takeoff.
One thing I wonder is how do you judge where you are on the runway. If there is a taxiway coming off at the 50% point, that’s useful, but if there are multiple ones, you have to read the letter codes on the signs while trying to keep the plane going straight, which is not a good idea.
People often recount stories of a particularly inspiring pilot, or instructor, who they flew with, perhaps many years previously.
Who is yours, and what did he/she do?
