Recent content by NOVA_Jim

Total calendar time, including the commercial flight to UT, checking out, the flight to SFO, etc, was ~2 weeks.

I started my Private Pilot training in the spring of 2012 in Northern Virginia. On my first dual cross-country in early 2013, my instructor had me fly from Leesburg, Virginia (KJYO) to Cumberland, Maryland (KCBE) across a small stretch of the snow-covered Appalachian Mountains. I became hooked...

Flew this airspace for the first time this week, twice. First time flying in Sf. On Monday, flew a "bay tour" departure from RHV clockwise around the bay to depart up the coast north. NorCal approach exceeded my expectations and was very helpful. They asked a 777 departing west out of SFO to...

I rented a 172S from Sierra for a week in June. We'll maintained and clean plane. People were a pleasure to work with.

If you're short, consider whether you could use a boost for a better sight picture. I'm 5'6, and in most (but not all) of the 172s at my school, I need the extra two inches of a thick stadium cushion under me with the seat adjusted all the way up. Had similar pre solo landing inconsistencies...

I have just a few more hours than you, and I can somewhat relate. When I was new to turbulence, I would grip the yoke so hard I would get blisters on my hands and feel significant anxiety. I'm guessing that during your training you didn't experience that much. Hopefully working with an...

I enjoy S37, just east of Lancaster PA. Runway is approximately 2000 ft, which keeps things interesting, and there is a decent diner directly behind the airport. It's about one hour in the air from KJYO.

Hello, I'm planning a month-long coast-to-coast trip next summer in April, May or June. One option I'm exploring is leasing the plane from a private owner, rather than renting hourly from my usual club. I expect to put approximately 70 hours on the Hobbs over one calendar month. I am most...