It's not natural for man to fly!

As I got ready for my second flight up on the Cessna172P, I was very excited because this would be my first "Official" logged hour. I have flown several other times unofficially, I was finally going to get my first hour in my log book. Unfortunately, I don't have a medical or logbook at this training session. Fairly enough my instructor agreed to place the hour in the logbook once I got my medical and a logbook to write it in! Awesome.

As we walked out out to the airplane I could not help but feel excited. The weather was about 50degrees and the Gusts where only 8-14knots. My first flight the gusts were 18-25knots! very windy, lots of turbulence and now you can understand why I was excited! my stomach would stay in place! lol lol 

Cessna 172P - Took this as I got to the plane.

As we hurried down the runway and got off the ground, my instructor handed me the controls. I was a bit nervous because the ascend was quick and the climb was happening very fast. Since we were still in the airports airspace I did not feel comfortable and asked the instructor to take the controls.

As we got to our training airspace about 15-30 miles from the airport, I had the controls and as I looked to the ground and out to the horizon I could not help but think about God and what he could do as I soared in his neighborhood at 2300 feet up in the air and 5,000 RPM's. 

I realized I was messing with nature, I thought "I'm not a bird its not natural for me to be this far above ground! with one gust of wind  God could lay me on top of the trees below and I could be DEAD!"

A moment later, a peace came over me (Im not sure why) and I realized God wouldn't do that, my father has been flying for 37 years and he never allowed anything to happen to him. I felt total confidence at that second and began to maneuver the airplane as instructed by the trainer.

As we landed on the ground, I was very proud because I had a total new respect for God, his power and nature.

Jason Anthony Rodriguez - FWJ

UNICOM - "Can't say dad on the radio!"

This morning while on the subway, I begin to study about the different types of radio communications and devices used for aeronautical purposes. In the chapter it talked about a UNICOM (a privately owned air/ground communication station which transmits your position and intentions.)  

While reading about a UNICOM I couldn't help but remember a funny story that happened years ago while I worked as a "Rampee" (ramp agent, you know the guys with the mickey mouse ears) for BEX Delta's regional company. 

It was during the summer of 1995-96 I was in the bin of a 727 loading bags and in an instance I twisted my ankle. From that day till my ankle got better I was asked to work in "Operations" (a UNICOM) while in the operations role I had to answer radio calls from pilots with location, ramp information, requests etc. 

One day, a call comes in and says "This is flight 1234 8765Charlie" I paused for a moment with an intrigued look because the voice sounded very familiar, I answered "Flight 1234, this is ops" Pilot says "FLight 1234 we are ten out and will need a top off while on the ramp" I answered with a questionable look in my face and said "DAD?" the caller pauses and says "JAY?" "Yeah, it's me dad!" I begin to laugh and he says "JAY, you can't say DAD on the radio!!!"  

Ten minutes later I greeted my dad Captain Nelson Rodriguez (whom worked for BEX at the time) hugged on the ramp and we both laughed. It was definitely a highlight in BEX's UNICOM and in our relationship...

Jason Anthony Rodriguez - FWJ

Red Tails - The Movie

Sick Flying Scenes - RED TAILS (by Lucas)

Discovery Flight

I arrived a bit late today for my 10:00 AM "Discovery Flight" appointment with John B. the flight instructor. "Discovery Flight" is an initial instruction to what you are going to experience during your official training, kinda like a "see if you like it" type of run.


After signing some paper work and taking care of a few administrative details it was time for John and I to take flight. As we walked out of the offices and towards the plane, I felt a bit nervous. I laughed and joked with John as we walked those 10 yards towards the plane. We talked about kids, family and nothing about airplanes. These types of conversations help ease some of the nerves (at least for me) and break the ice.


As we got to the airplane he explained that we would have to do a quick "walk around" the airplane, all that means is check all the exterior components of the airplane, wings, fuel, tubes, tires etc. and confirm all is working and all the pieces are present :0) this is part of the "Preflight Process". John did the preflight walk around one side of the airplane and I did the other. Years back I worked as a Ramp agent for delta and I remembered doing the "Walk Around" with the pilots. Next, we removed the ropes holding the airplane down. Finally it was time to get into the cockpit and go over the interior check list.


Once inside the cabin IT WAS FREEZING! I joked with John and said "Man, I wish this plane had an APU I would just turn it on and warm up this cabin!" He laughed and said "I wish" An APU is Auxiliary Power Unit, it's kinda like a generator that allows you to turn on the airplane without turning on the engines. On cold days like today the APU is usually turned on for big airplanes like 747's etc. Because this particular airplane is a Cessna 172P and used for training purposes, let's just say an APU is not available for this tiny puddle jumper.

Actual Plane - I took these today.

Now, while in the cockpit John took out the planes POH (Pilots Operating Handbook) this sheet of paper is a guide to test and confirm all the interior components of the aircraft are functioning correctly. This sheet of paper reminds pilots to check things such as oil pressure, cabin lights, power, fuel etc. Luckily for me I knew how to read some of the meters. So, John (instructor) read out the check list and I confirmed. Finally it was time to turn this aircraft on.


I turn on the airplanes "Main Power" switch, turn the key, turned on a few more buttons and WALLAH! the prop is spinning and we are ready to go. John taxied the plane to the take off run way #28 while there I tested the power and oil pressure by giving the plane full throttle and tested the breaks. At that moment John took over the handles and called the tower, ready for "Take Off"


With full throttle and breaks off, the little Cessna 172 takes on to the runway like a bullet, within  a few seconds we pull back on the controls and POW! We are in the air...


While ascending to 2,000 feet John and I discussed the weather, heading and the feel of the aircraft. Within seconds I took the control and began to maneuver the aircraft. Because of the heavy gust of winds the plane was jumping ALL OVER THE PLACE! I'm not going to lie, I was nervous close to being scared. At that moment, I kept my cool and tried to relax, I took a look outside my window (I sat on the left seat) to enjoy the scenery and man, it was beautiful! But, the turbulance was a little nerve wrecking.


While I looked at the horizon and got a bit more comfortable with the plane, John asked me to bank right and I did. I was very proud of the way I took the controls and banked (turned) kept the plane lined up with the horizon. After about twenty minutes it was time to head back to the airport.


As we approached runway 28, the gusts of winds knocked us left and right. The final approach was not pretty, but John pulled back on the controls and landed us safely on the ground.


FINAL THOUGHTS:


I had a great time today flying the little Cessna 172, thought the weather conditions were not good and my father warned me about the gusts of winds which topped at 34 the night before, I still took on the flight. As I said to the flight instructor, "This was fun and very informative, but! It's time for me to head back to reality" lol


Jason Anthony Rodriguez - FWJ

Welcome to FWJ

If you are here, it's because I have invited you to be part of something very important and a goal I set for myself many years ago. 

Starting today I will begin my process of obtaining my Private Pilots license. On this blog I will share my experiences in training, testing and most importantly flying. Enjoy and please feel free to share your thoughts.

As Frank would say "Come Fly With Me"

Jason Anthony Rodriguez - FWJ