When I'm Licensed

This picture was taken by my wife during a San Diego bay tour.

I've been experiencing a little bit of burnout in regards to the training aspect of my flying. I absolutely love learning, and will continue to educate myself even after becoming licensed, but I think after 9 months I'm growing eager to be able to share the joy of flight with a passenger or two. Here are some of the things I'd like to do shortly after receiving my private pilot's license:

San Diego Bay Tour

Early in my training, I was allowed to bring my wife along since it was a dual-instruction flight in the local area, and my CFI was the pilot in command. What we did was a tour of the San Diego bay, where you fly 500 ft MSL once reaching the water. Below is a video from that day. I can't wait to do this with just my wife and I in the plane!

The $100 Hamburger

I'd like to take a few close family members out for lunch at somewhere 50-80 miles away. I think all pilots celebrate this way, and it's just cool to be able to do it.

Visit My Dad

Right now, it's a 3+ hour drive to visit my Dad in Oxnard, CA. I can't stand freeway traffic, so I'll elect to take the Pacific Coast Highway for the view, but that takes even longer. In a Piper Warrior, I can be up there in 45 minutes depending on wind. The price of the plane rental could be offset by not needing a hotel before driving home.

Maneuvers

This is one I know my wife would prefer I take a more thrill-seeking spirit on. I don't want to do anything dangerous or stupid, but I think there are a few things a private pilot can do that are fun and safe when executed properly. I'd like to show someone how a short approach feels, and how awesome dutch rolls are. Steep turn figure 8s are also cool as a passenger.(I'll keep stalls and engine failure practice to solo flights.)

More Night Training

Nothing says you can't hire a CFI after you get your license. There are a couple things I think became repetitive in my training, but on the complete opposite side I feel the FAA's night training requirements are too low, and downright scary. It's a whole new world trying to navigate by city lights, where mountains appear flat, and I fully intend to go back up with an instructor to build more confidence before flying anywhere at night.

Well that was a bit long winded, but it's good for me to maintain focus on my goals. My PPL training is finally winding down, and some of these things are actually going to happen soon!

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