Two weeks before christmass

HI all,

I know, I haven't been uploading anything for some time now. The two previous weeks were very busy! We had a lot of tests, a lot of class hours too so I'm happy that after this Saturday we finally have some days off, at least one week! From the second of January we start again...

What happened in those two weeks...well we ended a course again, actually three! The first was Mass & Balance, of which we had a test as I explained in my previous post. We're still waiting for those results, but I guess it will be fine. Next was Physio, we had a test on the same day and then said goodbye to our instructor. I ended up with 100% for this course, so no problems for this one. The last course, Instruments, ended this week. This is actually one of the biggest course books we have, though it went very fast! The final test is planned in January, so that means christmas will be studying and partying @ the same time...

Next was the last course of BFC! We had to show to our instructor what we've learnt after 5 sessions and actually do all the manoeuvres again. The "flight" was actually a take off at Antwerp Airport, then climbing to 4000ft (1200m), then turning over the Schelde to the airport, make a big left turn and land again at Antwerp. Pease of cake, no...The only hard thing was that it was zero visibility, so we had no view the city of antwerp. The only think I saw were instruments...everywhere! But we all (my group) did very well! The overall evaluation was above standard-high, so no complains. I can say I have my BFC certificate now :-)

Happy this ended, though I already miss the course...

What else, today a test was planned for Flight planning. I don't think I have much to say about this subject, you have to plan a flight. Do some fuel policy, see what's my fuel needed to get to the destination, count an extra reserve fuel of 30min flying above the aerodrome, take some taxi fuel, additional fuel (if your engines stop working...funny hé?! Fuel for a innoperative engine) and then the alternate fuel, to go to another airport if you can not land at the desired one. So people, don't be scared, an airplane carries more fuel than you might think!

About the test...it was very good! The overall result was more than expected.

This saturday we have the last course (at least we hope) for 2007. Then we have some free time untill 2nd january. As I said those days will be filled with study.

This sunday though I have a flight to Tenerife, finally! After three bookings and three cancells of those bookings, I can go flying again. At least enjoy it untill the hard work begin in January...

The flight leaves at Brussels at 19 o'clock and it returns at 0500am the next day. Quite exciting, a night flight. I cannot wait to see all those lights dimmed high above the clouds on our way to the south...

I wish you all the best and see you all in January, which will be a very busy month! We have to end our theory in two months plus do some simulator on the Diamond DA-42. I hope everything is going to be on time. Normally in March we should have our official theory Exam in Brussels

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEWYEAR!

Regards

Alexander

Groundschool week 10

Ten weeks have passed since we entered our academy with full surprise and excitement. Those ten weeks were very funny and enjoying weeks, and still the fun goes on. Though we must admit we have to work harder and harder, the laughing and making yokes within breaks, lessons, weekends, are still existing...

A big change has occured this weekend. I'm actually again in Antwerp, not anymore staying in Zaventem. It's an improvement and a disadvantage in both ways. Improvement because now I don't have to go everytime to Brussels, I can sit home watch TV sunday evening, secondly I will save a lot of cash for the training if I stay here. I was more in antwerp than at my kot the last months so...The disadvantage will be that I won't have those nice evenings together with class-mates at their kot but maybe that can be arranged in the future, but the most painful thing is that I will miss those excellent chips (frieten voor de ned-taligen) of frituur 'Rapide'!! 

Anyway, about the theory. As I already told Electricty ended for us! We completed the whole book in nearly ten lessons...which is not so much. The results of my progress checks were very good, above 90% average...can't be better! Next course which will be ended this week is Physio. Thursday we have the final progress check and then that coursebook can be put away with Elec untill the official ATPL exam in March.

Next "difficult" test will be wednesday, Mass & Balance. It's not so hard to understand, it's just more theory and exercises which have to be known. The tests we had untill now was mostly pure theory and Mult.Choice questions. Now we'll get exercises too, so it asks some more preparation time. Anyway, if you want to know what happens if the exercise is not well done by a pilot, look at this picture:

The cranes are of course to put it back in it's normal position

So back to the course books now, next report will be online asap.

Greetz

Alex