Year: 2007

Where to start.

I’ve completed more standardization. Now I’m multi-engine standardized for 141 students. I’ve also completed my Swiss standardization, and I’m currently awaiting the availability of a FOCA examiner. That’s projected to be around the 25th of October. Once that is completed I will begin instructing the students within the Swiss program. I’m excited to start that ASAP.

For now, I’ve picked up a few multi-engine students. I will be strictly 141 until the end of October. It will be a good chance for me to build some multi dual given experience. After a few weeks in the Arrow with the Swiss, we transition to the Seminole. That’s what I’m really looking forward too.

Did my FlightSafety stage check for my MEI today, and passed just fine.

Nothing too dramatic really, and it was more of a let down than anything. I thought it was going to be more challenging, but it was actually all pretty easy.

Oh well. Now I have to do the part 61 checkride with grumpy mc grumpy head. I start MEI standardization on Monday.

In an interesting string of events, I have stopped work on my MEI.

I’m currently in a standardization class for the Swiss contract. Which directly conflicted with the multi-engine standardization that starts tomorrow.

It’s going to be interesting. This program has completely different procedures, and methods of teaching. I’m relearning everything I know for the most part. Which isn’t even the best part! I can’t forget all the other ways of doing things. I still have to finish my MEI, and complete MEI standardization which will require the ‘old’ way of doing everything.

The best part is, the procedures and methods are only slightly different. Speeds I have to memorize are merely a few knots different. No chance of confusion there! Nope.

The plan now, is, once I finish this standardization I will complete my MEI. Then join the next MEI standardization class. Hopefully this maze won’t delay my instruction in the multi-engine too long.

As an afterthought to this whole mess, they require 500 hours total time, and 200 hours of dual given(as flight instructor). I currently am about 50 short on both those numbers. So during standardization I have to find the time to fly 50 hours. Looking forward to the paycheck, not the lack of sleep.

It has been just under seven months since I have flown the twin engine. My last flight I logged was my multi-engine commercial check ride. Today broke that streak with a quick flight in preparation for my MEI(Multi-engine instructor). This is an add-on to my current flight instructor certificate and is my next step in training.

It was nice to be back in the plane. It is most definitely the airplane that I love to fly the best. The avionics suite in the aircraft is on another level in comparison to the rest of our fleet. Add to that the stability of a heavier, faster aircraft and you have a very fun airplane to fly.

Even after all this time out of the aircraft, today’s flight went rather well considering. We ran through almost all of the PTS items for the MEI checkride. I felt pretty good about most of it, and I think I’ll be able to wrap this up in a few hours of flight time.

My landings were of a minor concern to me. I felt like I was fighting with the aircraft and that doesn’t normally produce smooth landings. The first few touch and goes we did were quite disconcerting to me. My very last landing was finally back within my personal tolerance for a ‘good’ landing.

I’m excited to get another rating under my belt, and start instructing multi-engine students!