Life as a Student Pilot

9/9/2011 --> My first flying lesson! I would say, FINALLY! Had been waiting for this day for so long. Used to be passenger until today, finally get to control the aircraft. It's not a big aircraft though, but still, AWESOME!~

Basically, I went for famil. or also known as introduction flight today. We were first briefed by Captain Kenneth on what are we suppose to do and what to expect before and during the flight. Then was thought how to fill in the load sheet (calculation of weight and stuffs). Isn't that hard but it could be very frustrating. Would have to recalculate once a small mistake made. After that went for aircraft pre flight check. Just to make sure that the aircraft is in good condition. Example of checks done- Aircraft's controls, fuel, oil, tyres etc etc.....! Can't afford to list them all, too many to be checked!~ After external check, did before engine start check. The sound of the engine start was mad awesome! But I believe not everyone would appreciate this irritating sound. But 1 thing for sure, I do!

I was then asked to do some basic communication with Langkawi tower (advance communication done by captain). I was then asked to control the aircraft after taking off. I had control of the aircraft but was assisted by the Captain. All he did was , okayyyy, I wanna go there, please bring me there, okayyy, I wanna go there, please bring me there bla bla bla~ And I had so much fun controlling the aircraft. It felt like heaven!~ We then landed after about an hour of flying. Amazingly Captain made me land the aircraft on my first flight! Thanks for trusting me captain!~ Somehow or rather managed to land the aircraft safely. Not that smooth, more practice needed!~

Actually I can't tell much about it. The fun, my feeling and everything are totally indescribable!~ But 1 word to describe this experience- AWESOME!~ More lesson to come for the next 2-3 months~ Looking forward for it and at the same time, will work harder!~ I think that's all for this post. See yahhhh!~ =D

Some pictures taken -

Sunrise during flight

Langkawi airfield out there~

Hotel Mike Whiskey, the first aircraft I flown!~

HM's Hangar with beautiful clouds as background

Roomie and we are also under the same instructor

Booyahhh! I’m back blogging again after stopping for 1 year +! Actually I always wanted to start blogging again since the day I started my course in Langkawi. But I hardly got time to do so unfortunately. Currently on Raya holidays (thank god!) after 3 stressful and tiring month. Thought I could share with you some of my stories and experiences. Anyway, it’s never too late. I’ll try to make it as short as possible.

So basically I’ve been here for about 3 months. reported on the 2^nd of June. My impression when I first entered the academy--- > terrible! The building is like it’s gonna collapse anytime (especially the hostel). And when I first entered the my room, I was like OHHH MAN?! So I will be staying in this room?! The room was mad dirty at the first place. But thanks to Vincent’s (my roomie) and my parents, our room then look more like a room.

First month (Private Pilot License or also known as PPL stage)

As mentioned above, the first stage that I gone through was the Private Pilot License Ground School. Subjects included in this stage are- Principle of Flights, Navigation, Radio Navigation, Radio Telephony, Mass & Balance, Meteorology , Airframe & System, Airlaw, Instruments, Engines and Electric.

It’s like the aviation type of kindergarten (first stage). In this so called ‘kindergarten’ stage, subjects are more to introduction. Will be learning them in detail in the next few stages. ‘Kindergarten’, but killing! Was forced to stay up to study until midnight to be able to stay on track. Imagine class starts at 8 and ends at 5 in the evening. By 5 I will be singing ‘the lazy song’. But still , have to do revision in the room after dinner. Progress test will be held once in every week. Did fairly well in the first progress test but unfortunately failed my second progress test. Somehow or rather, managed to brush up a bit before the finals and pass with ‘sexy’ marks. So I think that’s all for the first stage. 1 tiring but interesting month it was.

Second/Third month (Phase 1)

Started phase 1 immediately after completing the PPL stage. Subjects included in this stage are Principle of Flights, VFR/IFR, AirFrame& System, Electric and Engine. We’ll be learning these subjects in detail. I find Engine is one of the boring-est subject among the other 4. I would say this stage is much more tougher/stressful than the previous stage. Revision time extends from 4 hours per day in PPL to 5 to 6 hours per day, or even 9 hours per day over the weekends (especially before the Finals). Sleeping time reduced to about 4 to 5 hours only a day. At the end of each day I will go crazy and start shouting and jumping in the room (overstress) . Wanna know more? Ask my roommate. =P . He knows me well. Besides, Progress test changed from weekly basis in PPL STAGE to almost daily basis in this phase. Some instructors will just come in, and say okayyyyy, we’ll be having progress test tomorrow and we will go like WHATTTTTTTTTTTTT THE EFFFF????!!!

Anyway, just had my Finals few days back and all I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed, and hope that I will get good results after all the effort that I’ve put in. Results will only be out after the raya holidays. I think that’s all for this stage. Nothing much to tell. It’s all about STUDY STUDY ANDDDDD????? STUDYYY!~

All in all, this course is not as what I expected it to be at the first place. However, am not regret, and also will never regret for choosing this path. I will do whatever it takes to achieve this 8 years’ dream of becoming a pilot. Will do my best for the remaining 15 months! By the way, I will be starting my PPL Flying Phase after this Raya holiday. OH MYYY! Can’t wait to get my hands on the control!

Some pictures taken from June to August-