FMA Solo 2018 – FMA Solo Program

Solo!

My first solo was absolutely breathtaking. Me and Joe flew to the Lapeer airport to do some pattern work and to my surprise, he jumped out of the plane after the first landing and said “Give me three goes around the pattern.” I will admit, that was a little scary when he took me by surprise, but after that I was very comfortable. It’s super peaceful being up there by yourself and just enjoying the sky. I had a smooth hot day with no traffic and light wind. This made for some smooth flight and some smooth landings.

Now its time for me to start doing some more studying and get ready to do that solo cross country. Thank you FMA for getting me to solo! I will forever be thankful for all of the help and resources you guys have offered me. It’s so wonderful to be a part of this community.

My First Solo

On Monday June 3rd 2019 I did my first solo flight, at long last. I don’t think I could have asked for a more beautiful day and the weather was great calm skies, no clouds in view and a nice temp. around 69 degrees. when my instructor Ken got out of the plane and said “go have fun” I was nervous at first he also warned me that since he wouldn’t be in the plane it would react completely differently than what I am use to. I didn’t think that it would be that differently but oh my was I wrong it was crazy on how much faster the plane wanted to get off the ground and how it controlled so much better with one less person. After I was done with my takeoffs and landings I felt so proud of myself for finally finishing the first step on my long path to becoming an airline pilot.

Update

Just want to apologies for not posting anything in a long time, but though the winter I wasn’t able to fly because the weather just never seemed to permit it. It wasn’t until February that I was able to go flying again. I was able to get a few hours of flight time in but recently haven’t been able to because of low cloud ceiling or strong winds and thunderstorms. one day though I did get good practice to fly in near IFR conditions with strong headwinds on landing. It is crazy how slow you feel and how much power you have to put in to keep yourself on a good glide path with a direct headwind on landing. It was great experience though, I am coming up on soloing hopefully soon if the weather permits.

Latest Progress

Hi all!

I wanted to give a huge thank you out to FMA and all of our wonderful sponsors! I love the recent package I received and I have already handed out most of my flyers to people here at WMU and have talked to numerous more about joining the association. More information to come on our soon to be members and our plans!

I’m having an absolutely stellar time during the week here at Western and it just continues to get better all the time. My A&P program here has been going great for me and I’m happy to say I’m doing what I’ve found I really love to do. With every chance I get, I’m trying to extend myself into our rapidly growing aviation network at the university with all of the programs, activities, and associations they offer. I’ve also been continuing to play trumpet here at our weekly basketball games in the pep band and let me tell you, there’s really no comparison. Beyond that I’m looking at concert bands here on campus that I’ll be able to schedule in the very near future.

Recently, I’ve been able to get up in the air a little bit but am very limited by the weather. Me and my instructor Joe have been taking the weekends to go over more ground stuff through these winter months. As I’m getting a few spots to go up this month, it seems that solo will be within a couple of flight hours or right up next. I’m pretty comfortable in that left seat up there!

Thank you FMA!

Updates

Hi all!

I recently had a short break to visit my family in Germany earlier this month, it was an amazing trip. Now I’ve been squeezing in great opportunities to get in the air with all of Michigan’s crazy weather. The fall colors sure do look good from the sky! Lately I’ve been working with my flight instructor Joe on moving around different airports throughout my area in Michigan and I’ve figured out how much I really enjoy flying at night.

Life here as a Bronco has been very exciting lately. I’m absolutely in love with my maintenance program, working on planes has proven to be very fun for me! I recently joined WMU’s version of the ASRS to really help put myself into the safety part of aviation for pilots and mechanics alike. Marching band here has also been amazing. Our football team has been doing well, and we’ve been learning new halftime shows in as little time as a week! Overall, we’ve been working very hard in our music and putting out great shows. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Safe skies!

Past high school Band

I was asked this marching band season to come back to my High school band and be in charge of one of the props they have. The director also asked me to help to low brass section with some tricks on how to keep a good tone while marching. They had their first contest last Saturday the 15th, they ended up getting second overall placing behind an open class band. They went against 5 other bands ranging from class A to open class. I was so proud and impressed with a band only around 37 band members to do that good it was a real joy to be apart of.

Post Storm Flight

I had a great flight last night with my flight instructor Joe. The weather has held me up long enough so we decided to wait out the storm until the clouds broke. We took the opportunity to get into some post storm air. Yesterday we revisited power on and off stalls, we practiced an emergency landing, and I’m finally more comfortable making my own calls now that I’m used to PTK’s busy ATC. On my flight, we visited Livingston County Airport (OZW) as well as Prices Airport (9G2) for some pattern work. I definitely appreciate doing pattern work at the calm uncontrolled airports.

We believe solo will be very soon in the future, stay tuned!

First week as a Bronco

This Month has been a month of preparing. Preparing to leave, to move in, and to start a new four years of my life that will make perhaps the largest impact of any years. This week it has been an intense week of preparing to march. Band camp at Western Michigan has been one of the best experiences for me. I’m happy to have made many new friends from the band side and the aviation side of Western, a lot of which are new Flying Musicians! All of our musicians, flying or not, are a group of incredibly hard working people that I’m proud to be a part of. Get ready for a stunning halftime show!

Rainy skies sure love the weekend here, lets hope the weather gives me a break this weekend to keep working on solo!

Safe Skies and Go Broncos!

Recent Events

I just wanted to let everyone know that today was my first day at college. I am going to Sinclair in Dayton, Ohio for their professional pilot program. Today I attended my academic classes, and tomorrow I will be attending my first day of pilot classes. I am so excited to see who all I will be flying with and learning even more about being a pilot!

I also wanted to say that I went to the Hanger Jam down in Georgetown, Ohio which was hosted by Don Bilbrey. It was such a great time! Those who came to the Hanger Jam were important people who helped Don get to where he is in aviation. It was a great pleasure to get to see and talk to so many people who have a passion for not only aviation but also music.

Band Camp

Even though I’m graduated, I still got the chance last week to come help my section out at band camp. They worked very hard on their “Legends of Rock” halftime show throughout the week. The marching is great and the music is stellar! I really do miss playing with my high school. However, in a couple weeks you’ll be able to catch me marching with the Broncos!

Missed these guys!