Phoenix in August

On the road again.......

Flew to Phoenix, Arizona today and boy are my arms tired. (haha) It was a good trip we flew down to Arizona it is quite a flight. It took a little over 3 hours one way. It is kind of cool trip over the Continental Divide in New Mexico. The first picture is the mountain we flew over. The water on the West side flows to the Gulf of California and the water on the East flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Kind of cool. I am not sure what happens to the water that lands in the middle.

New Mexico has a few other interesting areas of interest. Los Alamos is where they developed the Atomic Bomb and the first detonation was in the Trinity Site in 1945. Just for Nicole there is the largest radio telescope in the world. It was designed to receive radio signals from outer space. Remember the movie (Signs)? Tin foil works good to keep those aliens from reading your mind. I put mine on when we flew over, just in case.

The next picture is the terminal in Phoenix. Kind of neet seeing the mountains and palm trees all in the same place.

The last picture is a moving map we have in the aircraft. If you look closely you can see a bunch of white dots with writing next to them. Those are all the airplanes flying around us. It was busy!

Well on the Green Bay, Detroit and then back home!

Back in the Air

Back in the Air

I have been able to just work my DOD job for the last 6 months and now it is time to do double time. I have so enjoyed being home and not having to travel so much. I am headed back into the cockpit this month. A lot has happened. When I took my break we were Northwest Airlines and now we are Delta Airlines. Delta merged with us last year and we are now the largest airline in the world. A lot of changes.

I had to go back through a small refresher training course in the simulator to make sure I remember were all the buttons are. I guess it is important (What ever). The simulators are very cool training tools. (That is the first picture). They sit about three stories above the ground and replicate every possible emergency including pumping smoke into the cockpit. I had to practice and test out on engine fires, failures and many other emergencies. It has the exact cockpit that we fly in including visuals that are very realistic. Kids if you remember you have been in them and flown the airplanes. Now that we are Delta we have new procedures that have to be trained.

I love flying but miss being home so much. I am so thankful that I was able to get the summer off and enjoy family. Now that I am back in the cockpit I will start showing you the World again as I see it.

The Friendly Skies

Times have changes and Pilots responsibilities have grown beyond just safely flying a tin can 40,000 feet above the earth at over 600 miles an hour. A new threat has grown and in the midest of huge pay cuts and retirements that have been disolved a pilot today must meet a new day with more resolve and commitment to their passengers then ever before. Most of this accomplished on their own time with little support from the airlines that employ them. Every passenger should know the level of commitment and sacrifice each Pilot has made to safely transport each and every person safely to their destination. Make sure you say thanks.

How long can it last?

Where Ive Been

I have not been updating the blog for a while as I have been on leave from flying Airplanes and have been working my business of training unmanned Aircraft Pilots. My second job is working for the Department of Defense training unmanned aircraft pilots. When the Airline starts to cut back they ask pilots if they want to take a leave so they do not have to lay off junior pilots. It works great for me as I can take a leave and work my other full time job. When flying picks up and they need pilots again, I go back and fly and work my Defense job on the road. It keeps me busy but not a lot I can update on the blog.

The above pictures are an Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) that I work with. This is just one of several I have been involved with. Maybe one day you will get on an Airliner and look up into the cockpit and see a computer flying. Several agencies have already been testing flying large aircraft completely unmanned. Hey maybe one day I can fly all across the country from home. Wouldn't that be cool.

Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

What do you think of your birthday car?   (Just kidding)  I wish I could get you a Ferrari.  

I am sitting in New York getting ready to come home and have a birthday celebration with you.  19, it is hard to believe.  It seems like yesterday I was flying around with you as a baby to get my paycheck when I worked at Comair.  I would take you everywhere with me.  I was able to spend a lot of time with you growing up which I hold so precious in my heart.  Riding horses, dirt bikes, traveling, the dads and daughters camping.  (Remember we won the look a like contest) We have had so many great times.  I am so proud of you and how far you have come.  I see you growing as a lady and am privileged to be able to walk along side of you.  I think the hardest thing for me as a dad is letting go.  In a way my picture of you is frozen as a little girl even though I know you are a lady now.  Know how much I love you and always will.   I will be home soon to celebrate.  

Happy Birthday 

Looking for Santa

Santa has already started his route!

It is a very dangerous job!

In flight sighting.

Yesterday in LA.  Santa having some fun!

It is even dangerous having fun.

Back in the air after a couple of months at home.  The airlines are over staffed because the load factors are down since not as many people can afford to fly right now.  The nice thing is they have been offering time off for pilots that want it.  It has been nice being at home and just working my Defense contract.  Unfortunately Christmas is a bad time for sick calls and the company makes almost everyone fly over the Christmas Holidays.  Soooo here I am in Las Vegas Christmas eve. I flew into Los Angeles and then on to Vegas yesterday.  Tonight I fly to Detroit and home late.  Christmas day I head out again.  I think I am flying as much as Santa.  If you go to www.noradsanta.org you can track his flight across the world.   

Believe it or not he has actually started his trip.  I will be watching out for him.  I saw him yesterday on the ocean in Los Angeles.  He is a busy guy but likes to have fun too.  The ocean is a dangerous place but Santa is brave and quick.  He is out flying his route today so he made it out of the sharks mouth.  The air is dangerous as well with all of the jets flying around so santa has to keep his eyes open and not fall asleep.  I will try and listen out for him tonight and keep you posted.

As fun as Christmas is I want to make sure we don't forget the reason for the season.  The birth of our Saviour.  It is easy to get caught up with all of the presents and fun, but lets not forget what we are celebrating.  Have fun and I will be home soon.