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My latest hobby is flying. I received my Private Pilot's License in March of 1999 and
flew to Tucson, AZ two weeks later. Here is a picture at our
destination. My most recent accomplishment is receiving my Sea plane rating. I can now land
on water as well as land! Flying is a total
kick with lots of interesting details, new things to learn and a true sense of physics
in action. My favorite part of that is the sensation one gets on approach to landing
when a reduction in power causes the airplane to yaw (turn about its vertical axis)
because of (among other things) conservation of angular momentum!
My next step is to get my CFI (certified flight instructor). Current ratings include
- Private Pilot
- Instrument Rating
- Commerical Pilot
- Single Engine sea plane
- Multi-engine land
- High performance and complex
- Tail-wheel
I'm still having a lot of fun with it, and
although it is not the cheapest avocation, it is certainly one of the most thrilling.
Below are some links to the flying and weather stuff including the flying club I that
I am a member of. Also, I have written some software associated with flying that you
can find on my software page.
- The Prescott Flying Club. I joined this club in 1999 and fly the four planes the club owns. Flying clubs are a great, and considerably cheaper way to fly General Aviation aircraft.
- Here are a couple of links to Fleming Field. This is where I fly from, and is a nice local general aviation field south and east of the Twin CIties.
- Here is a Java Applet which simulates the use of VOR navigation.
- AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association.
- The NTSB (National Transportation and Saftey Board). There are reports here of every aviation accident. It make interesting reading just before your first solo flight (the most common time to have an accident I think).
- Here is an aircraft I am thinking of building someday. It is called a Velocity.
- Here is a Lancair. Probably the premium homebuilt (they also will build one for you for a small fee). But hey, if you want to dream, this is a good one!
- There is a big airshow in Oshkosh every summer. The show is incredible with quite a large variety of general aviation. It is the mecca for those building their own aircraft. It is sponsored by the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).
- Avweb sells a lot of stuff over the net, but mostly I like it because they send out a weekly email newsletter giving information on current things happening within the community. AVWeb also has a number of very good articles on aviation safety and fun stories about flying.
- This site offers information about learning to fly. Some good stories, but if you are really interested, just head down to a local airport and buy a demo ride.
Weather Related Links
- Aviation Weather from the National weather service.
- Here is the Minneapolis 4-day Forcast
- Here is Minneapolis Static Radar display.
- Here is Minneapolis Radar Loop display.
- Want more detailed information? Here are the weather models.
- And my favorite weather map. Composite radar for the Continential US.
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My latest hobby is flying. I received my Private Pilot's License in March of 1999 and
flew to Tucson, AZ two weeks later. Here is a picture at our
destination. My most recent accomplishment is receiving my Sea plane rating. I can now land
on water as well as land! Flying is a total
kick with lots of interesting details, new things to learn and a true sense of physics
in action. My favorite part of that is the sensation one gets on approach to landing
when a reduction in power causes the airplane to yaw (turn about its vertical axis)
because of (among other things) conservation of angular momentum!