Stats:
627H of flight
42H of night flying, only 6.3H of actual instrument flying
6 landing shorts of 1000 landings, 1 night landing short of 100
131 instrument landings, 490H in high performance, 172H complex
I'm checked out in C152, C172, C172RG, C182, C182TR, M21K (Mooney 231 Turbo Retract), TB20 (Trinidad), SR20, SR22, TSR22, Mooney Acclaim.
Highlights:
I got to fly an extra 300 twice, and for dogfighting no less, with Sky Combat Ace :) ( 1 and 2 ).
Also did some dogfighting in with Air Combat USA
I also got to fly a pretty good 737 simulator in Perth and Auckland
I got to try flying a glider (need to try more of this)
I got to try paragliding and hang gliding.
It was cool to have flown myself to burning man several times, the perfect place to take advantage of personal flying.
But probably the most practical use of my license has been to fly to Willows airport where I've been racing my car. Turns out I've flown there 31 times so far, not bad.
Another reason to learn flying was to go skiing. As expected, it was never helpful for Tahoe, but I got to fly to Mammoth a few times ( 1, 2, 3).
I've flown myself to Oshkosh 3 times, in SR22, TSR22 G3, and Mooney Acclaim
And just for good measure, I jumped out of a perfectly good plane.
Destinations: I got to do other nice real cross country flights with nice destinations I woudn't have driven to:
Shelter Cove to hike the lost coast trail
Yellowstone
Seattle/San Juan
Grand Canyon to hike down and back up
Palm Springs
Colorado Rockies, Grand Canyon, Death Valley
Unexpected experiences in 10 years:
Got a stuck starter after engine start in Visalia and had to abandon the plane
Got a bird strike while under the hood at night.
Got a 2nd bird strike after flying back a Mooney 231 with a dead battery I had to jump start with a car (flock of birds took off as I was landing)
Got a dead starter in Willows and had to abandon the plane
And to top it off, got a turbo oil leak in a C182TR which led to an engine failure and dead stick landing at burning man
![Engine Failure After Landing Engine Failure After Landing](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20150831_BRC-0300_Plane-314_Plane.jpg)
Engine Failure After Landing
Lowlight?
I flew my first 200H in 1H, 500H within the first 5 years, but only flew 127 hours in the second 5 years.
Yeah, that's kind of sad in one way, but I kind of know why. It's a combination of:
In my earlier years, I spent a lot of years training to higher levels, IFR, went to increasing faster planes all the way to the 240kts Mooney Acclaim (I never cared for doing commercial, doesn't seem that useful to me, and I never went for twin aircraft because the ones I can fly are not faster, hard to find for rent, and I don't think I'd stay proficient enough in them to be safe).
I flew to a lot of the places I wanted to fly to around where we live
I have many other hobbies, so I stopped flying randomly just for adding flying hours :) (I'll go fly for a purpose/destination though, but just have fewer now). I didn't really quit flying, but I'll mostly go fly with a purpose.
Does that mean I'm getting a sucky and rusty pilot? I would hope not. While I might not be able to do the best heavy crosswind landings due to lack of practise, or hard IFR, I at least feel that I continue to be capable of flying in weather, or in a pitch dark night, so my flying seems to be enough to keep my skills, so that's good news.
And as parting words, some of my bestof bestof pictures:
![flying over the great barrier reef in Australia flying over the great barrier reef in Australia](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070121_CNS_Great_Barrier_Reef-157_CNS_Great_Barrier_Reef.jpg)
flying over the great barrier reef in Australia
![flying a trike over kawaii flying a trike over kawaii](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090902_BirdsOfParadise-4454_Kauai_Birds_Of_Paradise.jpg)
flying a trike over kawaii
![being towed in a glider being towed in a glider](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090905_Hollister_Glider-113_Hollister_Glider.jpg)
being towed in a glider
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20130608_Henderson_Sky_Combat_Ace-8110_SCA.jpg)
![Air Combat USA Air Combat USA](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20131012_LVK_Air_Combat_USA-108_20131012_LVK_Air_Combat_USA.jpg)
Air Combat USA
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20131012_LVK_Air_Combat_USA-147_20131012_LVK_Air_Combat_USA.jpg)
An obvious thing to do is to fly the San Francisco Bay Tour:
![on a bay tour, we used to hold by the racetrack waiting for a bravo clearance. Now, it's been replaced by a bunch of condos :( on a bay tour, we used to hold by the racetrack waiting for a bravo clearance. Now, it's been replaced by a bunch of condos :(](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG-107_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG.jpg)
on a bay tour, we used to hold by the racetrack waiting for a bravo clearance. Now, it's been replaced by a bunch of condos :(
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG-120_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG-146_20051204_BayTour_TB20_52JG.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070505_Baytour_HalfMoonBay-129_BayTour_HalfMoonBay.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070505_Baytour_HalfMoonBay-137_BayTour_HalfMoonBay.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20071208_BayTour-113_Baytour.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20080702_PAO_0Q5_ShelterCove_PAO-108_PAO_0Q5_ShelterCove-jen.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20151005_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-232_20151005_WLW_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20081129_BayTour_Liu-112_20081129_BayTour_Liu.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20081129_BayTour_Liu-127_20081129_BayTour_Liu.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090809_BayTour_Francs-126_20090809_BayTour_Francs.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090809_BayTour_Francs-139_20090809_BayTour_Francs.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140911_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-270_20140911_WLW_Napa_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
![Stanford Stanford](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140911_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-331_20140911_WLW_Napa_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
Stanford
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140911_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-335_20140911_WLW_Napa_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
![SFO airport SFO airport](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070505_Baytour_HalfMoonBay-119_BayTour_HalfMoonBay.jpg)
SFO airport
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070505_Baytour_HalfMoonBay-119_BayTour_HalfMoonBay.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140911_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-312_20140911_WLW_Napa_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140911_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-305_20140911_WLW_Napa_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
Of course, we are super lucky to live close to the Sierras with so much nice scenery:
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100320_PAO_MMH-115_PAO_MMH.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100321_MMH_O24_PAO-419_MMH_O24_Yosemite_PAO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-134_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-140_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-166_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
![Lee Vining Lee Vining](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-172_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
Lee Vining
![Mono Lake Mono Lake](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-175_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
Mono Lake
![Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-202_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite
![Hetch Hetchy is too full and drained Hetch Hetchy is too full and drained](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20110704_PAO-Pine_Mountain_Lake-Hetch_Hetchy-115_PAO-Pine_Mountain_Lake-Hetch_Hetchy.jpg)
Hetch Hetchy is too full and drained
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20101125_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN-1017_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN.jpg)
Then, Vegas and the Grand Canyon sure isn't bad either:
![North Las Vegas North Las Vegas](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060806_PAO_VGT-143_20060806_PAO_VGT.jpg)
North Las Vegas
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060810_VGT_GCN-115_20060810_VGT_GCN.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20101130_LAS_PAO-6009_LAS_PAO.jpg)
![The hoover dam before they built the bypass bridge The hoover dam before they built the bypass bridge](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060810_VGT_GCN-125_20060810_VGT_GCN.jpg)
The hoover dam before they built the bypass bridge
![Later, the bridge was built Later, the bridge was built](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20101125_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN-1059_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN.jpg)
Later, the bridge was built
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060810_VGT_GCN-139_20060810_VGT_GCN.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060810_VGT_GCN-166_20060810_VGT_GCN.jpg)
![walk over the grand canyon cliff walk over the grand canyon cliff](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20101125_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN-1085_PAO_LAS_HooverDam_GCN.jpg)
walk over the grand canyon cliff
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20101130_LAS_PAO-6023_LAS_PAO.jpg)
Other Misc pictures:
![landing at Catalina airport landing at Catalina airport](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20051209_SMO_AVX-123_AVX_Flight.jpg)
landing at Catalina airport
![flying over LAX airport flying over LAX airport](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20051209_SMO_AVX-147_AVX_Flight.jpg)
flying over LAX airport
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070723_PAO_EVW_SUX_OSH-126_KPAO_KEVW.jpg)
![Mt Rushmore Mt Rushmore](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070728_OSH_RAP_EKO_PAO-200_MtRushmore.jpg)
Mt Rushmore
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070728_OSH_RAP_EKO_PAO-228_KRAP_KEKO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20080728_SQL_LVW_PIR_OSH-104_SQL_RWL.jpg)
![landing at Oshkosh... landing at Oshkosh...](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20080728_SQL_LVW_PIR_OSH-184_PIR_OSH.jpg)
landing at Oshkosh...
![Moffett, back when it had a blimp Moffett, back when it had a blimp](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090515_PAO_IFR_WLW_PAO-207_WLW_PAO.jpg)
Moffett, back when it had a blimp
![Yellowstone Yellowstone](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone-131_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone.jpg)
Yellowstone
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone-132_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone-137_20090625_Mountain_Flight_Yellowstone.jpg)
![Glacier Park Glacier Park](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090627_Glacier_Park-113_Glacier_Park.jpg)
Glacier Park
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090627_KGPI_KMSO_KALW_KMMV-157_20090627_KGPI_KMSO_KALW_KMMV.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090627_KMMV_KPAO-103_20090627_KMMV_KPAO.jpg)
![Salt Lake City's Salt Lake Salt Lake City's Salt Lake](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090728_PAO_RKS_OTG_ATW-121_PAO_RKS_OTG_ATW.jpg)
Salt Lake City's Salt Lake
![Hawaii road taken over by lava Hawaii road taken over by lava](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090815_Hawaii_Big_Island-1946_Hawaii_Island_Flight.jpg)
Hawaii road taken over by lava
![Lava meeting the water Lava meeting the water](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090815_Hawaii_Big_Island-1955_Hawaii_Island_Flight.jpg)
Lava meeting the water
![Another road to nowhere Another road to nowhere](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090815_Hawaii_Big_Island-1963_Hawaii_Island_Flight.jpg)
Another road to nowhere
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20090815_Hawaii_Big_Island-2012_Hawaii_Island_Flight.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100906_Hawaii_Maui-153_Hawaii_Maui_Island_Tour.jpg)
![Molokini Crater in Maui Molokini Crater in Maui](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100906_Hawaii_Maui-238_Hawaii_Maui_Island_Tour.jpg)
Molokini Crater in Maui
![Mt Haleakala in Maui Mt Haleakala in Maui](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100906_Hawaii_Maui-257_Hawaii_Maui_Island_Tour.jpg)
Mt Haleakala in Maui
![Awesome craters Awesome craters](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100906_Hawaii_Maui-258_Hawaii_Maui_Island_Tour.jpg)
Awesome craters
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100906_Hawaii_Maui-296_Hawaii_Maui_Island_Tour.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100722_MHV_PAO-100_20100722_MHV_PAO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100722_MHV_PAO-102_20100722_MHV_PAO.jpg)
![Mt St Helens Volcano, Washington Mt St Helens Volcano, Washington](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100825_PAO_BFI-143_PAO_BFI.jpg)
Mt St Helens Volcano, Washington
![Castle AFB and Museum Castle AFB and Museum](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20120527_PAO_MER_3O8_PAO-207_MER_3O8.jpg)
Castle AFB and Museum
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20120527_PAO_MER_3O8_PAO-212_MER_3O8.jpg)
![Flying over Dordogne, France Flying over Dordogne, France](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20130701_Dordogne-4355_20130701_Day14_Roque-Gageac.jpg)
Flying over Dordogne, France
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20130701_Dordogne-4387_20130701_Day14_Roque-Gageac.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20130701_Dordogne-4406_20130701_Day14_Roque-Gageac.jpg)
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20150627_PAO_MRY_PAO-117_20150627_PAO_MRY.jpg)
![New Apple Campus New Apple Campus](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20150627_PAO_MRY_PAO-218_20150627_MRY_PAO.jpg)
New Apple Campus
![Moffett Wind Tunnel Moffett Wind Tunnel](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20150627_PAO_MRY_PAO-227_20150627_MRY_PAO.jpg)
Moffett Wind Tunnel
![Burning Man Burning Man](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20150831_BRC-0200_BRC-202_BRC.jpg)
Burning Man
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20151005_PAO_WLW_Baytour_PAO-250_20151005_WLW_Baytour_PAO.jpg)
Weather and Sunsets:
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20140924_PAO_WLW_Baytour_Overcast_PAO-212_20140924_WLW_PAO.jpg)
![crashing wave crashing wave](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20100828_ORS_PAO-939_ORS_PAO.jpg)
crashing wave
![](/blogimg/01/thumb1024_20121004_PAO_WLW_PAO-101_20121004_PAO_WLW.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20071027_PAO_SMO-206_20071028_SMO_PAO.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20070614_PAO_WLW-107_PAO_WLW.jpg)
![](/blogimg/00/thumb1024_20060212_Mammoth_O68_MMH_O24-210_Mammoth_Flight.jpg)
And that was it for 10 years, here's to the next 10 years! :)