Cold in Iowa

Well, the cold has definitely arrived in Iowa. It is about 9 degrees here and will be 0 or below tonight. The 'ol airplane heater does not keep up very well with those temperatures.

Looks like a big fight ahead for user fees and new ways of funding the FAA in the future. AOPA is luckily going to be watching this closely and I think they will fight off any major pushes. If you aren't a member of the AOPA, you should check it out here.

Not much news right now, I'll post some new pictures later on.

"Yeah, I flew through that..."

Ever listened to a charter pilot (or any pilot for that matter) go on and on about how he or she just came through the "most ice I've ever seen" or the "strongest thunderstorm line I've seen in a while"? They think they are cool because they beat the weather and made it!

Know what? They aren't necessarily "cool" - sometimes, they are just down right stupid. Yeah, if you're one of them, I called you stupid. We learn early on in our training of the dangers that some weather can produce: icing, severe turbulence, several thunderstorms... on and on. But as we gain confidence and become complacent as pilots (we all do it), we start to push the envelope.

This envelope is especially stretched in the charter business where getting people from A to B means making money, and sitting on the ground means, well... no profit. I have personally been along on several charter flights (not PIC) that flew through weather that I would not have personally done. Perhaps that is my style.

Just remember this... these pilots are not "cool" or "awesome" - quite frankly, it some situations, they are simply LUCKY. Set your personal limits and stick to them. Do not let others influence your decisions and do not compromise your limits because you "have to get there".

I'm done. :D

-kc

exit strategy

since we r in the mood for exit talks
i share mine as well

the time is here 2 move on
a different direction - never hurt any one
it's tough to go, sure
what doesn't kill, makes us stronger - right?

friends, experiences.. they r all stored
can't stay for ever... maybe they don't mind anyway
but sometimes ppl misjudge
am i misjudging? am i misjudged?

at any rate, the time draws near
to walk a different walk
and start new again

thank u for the fun and experience
it is all stored. be sure.

Two Thousand and Seven

Well, so far 2007 has been uneventful. Just like 2006, I am going to work and going to school. Will it ever change? Only time will tell. I will be looking for a full-time job some time this spring as I continue to plan for a wedding in June. That is all going well, by the way, and should be a lot of fun (yes, airplanes are involved).

New Year's Eve
We went out to eat New Year's eve with Kyle and Jessie. It is a great time and a good meal. That was about the extent of the day, though, which was nice. I enjoyed the time off and not having to answer my cell phone on an hourly basis (don't take that the wrong way, all you who call me). The picture to your right is before we all went out to dinner. Wee....

Keep 'em flying-
kc