Visiting Belgocontrol

Hi All,

This week we ended our course of Airlaw with two tests which most of us did very well.

As a reward for this hard work, our instructor arranged a visit to the control tower of Brussels National Airport. The tower, which
is run by Belgocontrol, is based in Steenokkerzeel, right next to the airport.

After the last test, we all jumped into the cars of some studets and drove to Belgocontrol, next to our school. Entering 'Belgo' (as most of us say) wasn't as easy as always. Normally you just show your badge and that's it. Today, even with a notice of prom6 coming to the tower, the security didn't let us in...I mean, they thought we wouldn't come in! Anyway, we entered after some time and went to the tower immediately. First some pictures of the group (yes! The first pictures of prom6 complete!!) and then we got an intro from one of the chiefs there about the company. After 40mins of video, we finally could see how it's like there up in that huge tower building...

An amazing view of the airport - which we see every day, but from ground level - all made us enjoying this view and moment of being there. I must say, those guys in the tower have a pretty nice job environment! At least, when there is no fog or mist...With a very nice sunset from the tower and a landing 747, we went back to ground level and took a track direction towards home...for studying purposes again!

Enjoy the pictures taken by famous Orlando and Pieter. Click on the picture below to go to the album.

Thanks for reading. Greetz
Alex

February 2008

Hello, bonjour, ...

Wow! That's a long time ago since I posted my last message here...Well, not a lot has happened during that time, only some big final tests as I already mentioned, which all ended very good.

The results were very good, better than I expected, so nothing to worry about.

For this months the schedule is quite chilly, also because they gave us another month before the exams. That means we will probably take off for America mid June or beginning of July, depending on the day of the last ATPL exam. Anyway, it's much better like this so we have some time to breath and do the FNPTII simulator. This is a simulator which is fully equiped like the real aircraft, so a real cockpit, but no motion. The type of aircraft we will fly is the Diamond DA42 Twin Engine. There is one based at the airport of Antwerp, which is the one of SFA (that's for after America) and also the school of Ostend and St Hubert have some. Pretty modern aircraft, as you can see on the picture below, with lot's of computer screens. A flying playstation as you might think...

(click on the pictures for more)

If you want to know more about it:
http://www.frasca.com/web_pages/brochures/diamondFTDs.htm

Last tuesday I finally made another observation flight with Thomas Cook, since the previous one in December was cancelled. This time it was a flight to Istanbul, leaving at 1250Z and landing in Brussels at 2100Z. It was a very nice flight, though the landing in Brussels was very bumpy. That same moment somewhere above Lier there was a storm with Cb's so you can imagine...Here are some pictures of the flight:

So I hope I will have many sim flights this month! There are some final tests too planned next weeks, but not that much as in January, fortunately!


Thanks for reading!

See you...