Where are the students

Where oh where are the student's tonight, why did you leave me here all alone....Ok, I don't know why but that silly Hee Haw tune popped into my head today. I know, many of you are saying what in the world is Hee Haw? It was this horrible show that my father loved to watch when I was a kid.
I'm sorry now you have it stuck in your head too, don't you?

In all seriousness, It is amazing how quickly flight training has dropped off to nothing. My flight school is barely getting by, and I know several others are in the same boat. One of the big reasons our school is slow, is that the Indian market is drying up. Hiring by the airlines in India was very strong, and now its dropped to nothing. I'm still optimistic that things will turn around. I'm not sure how quickly, but it will turn. In the mean time, it's time to get creative. I need to start working the local market a little harder. I figure you can sit around and feel sorry for yourself, or you can try to make something new happen.

So, anyone in San Antonio need a flight instructor, personal pilot, or anything else? :-)

I have a friend in Oregon, his school is doing quite well. I am curious how schools around the country doing. I know my Friends In Kansas city could use a little more business. We just have to hang in there, be ready to change. Just like planning a flight, You have to be ready to change the plan at any moment. Fly Safe everyone.

MEI...Finally!

I was in Kansas City again last week. I had to go back and finish my MEI. Now I'm a Multi Engine Instructor!!! WOOHOO! It really was pretty uneventful. My Multi flying was a little rusty, and I felt like a beginner again (truth be told in twins I am a beginner) but it went well enough that the examiner felt I could teach others to fly twins. I was flying good ole N125RJ
I like the Twin Comanche, they are a fun plane to fly!
I like the airport (GPH) Midwest national (except for the name). It's in Mosby Missouri. I did manage to swing over to the St Louis side of Missouri and visit my parents for couple days.
I have to say that the guys at Career Pilot School are really good guys! I have been there three times now, I had some bumps in the road , but Michael who was the owner stands buy his word! He is smart enough of a man to know in this industry a good name is absolutely necessary! Aviation is to small a world, and word travels fast when you have a bad name. He is also a good instructor. The new owner of CPS was also good enough to honor the previous arrangement I had with Michael. I flew with Patrick who was able to get me done in three days! I took the exam with Ron Albertson, who is a great guy, with a load of experience. I like taking check rides with him, because I guarantee you will walk away having learned something!

So, Now I am all done CFI, CFII, and MEI. NOW WHAT? Thats the million dollar question right now. Every body is so slow, not even flight schools are hiring. Just a year ago they were begging for CFI's. What a difference a year makes. Its a catch 22, you have a commercial license (Multi and Single), you have all three CFI's, but you don't have enough hours to get a job (other than a cfi). So what do you do? Seriously any suggestions???? :-) The big picture is I'm not worried about it, My Faith in God makes me believe He is in control, and He will meet my needs!

I'm just really excited to be done with formal training for a while. I guess the next thing I will prepare for in the next 1000 hours is the ATP. I have a little time to prepare for that!

So lets look at where I was and where I am. 2007, decided to pursue flying as a career after 17 years in transportation. Working part time on IR, Feb of 2008 decided to go to school full time to finish and try to catch the last hiring wave. I finished up my CSEL CMEL, Cfi, Cfii in just a couple months, started working as a CFI, and to step away from flying for a while (but made my goal of being a commercial pilot by the time I was 40). It really Stinks to be in this slow time right now with no work, but I'm still very excited about my future! For those who might read this and are either in training, or would like to become a pilot. DO IT! There is a lot of negative talk out there right now, but it all boils down to this, If you want to fly, if that is your passion, just do it! Good luck!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Where is your hand? between two pillows...THOSE AREN'T PILLOWS!!! John Candy and Steve martin. What A great movie! So why am I talking about Trains, Planes, and Automobiles? I had a guy who wanted me to drive to Alpine Texas with him, so I could fly his Mooney back to San Antonio. Sounds like a nice trip. I had never been to that part of west Texas.



So of we go in his vehicle on a 5.5 hr road trip. I had some second thoughts about going.


The plane had just come out of "annual". I have worked on and around airplanes long enough to know a fresh annual doesn't mean a thing. Well, When we arrived to the Hanger, I realized my reservation were well founded. The plane had obviously not been touched for a long time. You could tell by the solid coat of dirt over the entire plane, with not recent marks in the dirt. I wont bore you with the other details, but lets just say the plane was not airworthy! After some attempts in trouble shooting and fixing issues the owner decided it was best to park the plane and try again another day. So...now I'm 5.5 hours from home, in the middle of nowhere Texas and He was not going home for some time. What options do I have? Only one, a Train stops in alpine. Ok, so I have never been on a train...legally! After the arrangements were made I found out it was an 8 hour train ride. I'm still thinking it sounds like an interesting adventure. So there i was waiting at a train station in middleofnowhere Texas waiting for a train.



I was surprised to find the seat are comfortable.



Very wide, reclines nicely, and even have leg, and foot rest. I was one car behind the lounge car, which had big windows and seats that sat sideways.



Great for watching the scenery go buy.





The length of the trip was a bit long.




I did not get back into town until 1030pm. all in all it wasn't bad. It reminds me of why I like aviation...you just NEVER know what will happen next. You always have to be ready to make new plans!