Pat's Aviation Page
Welcome to my Aviation page. This web site contains information about my Private Pilot training, includes many pictures I have taken and other neat aviation data. I started training for my Private Pilot's Certificate on April 15, 2003 and completed my checkride on April 16, 2004, flying out of KDMW, Carroll County Aiport which is located in Westminster, Maryland. I kept a running log of my flight training and experiences. I flew on average of 1 hour per week for a year, finishing training in about 50 hours. For a funny video of my first solo, click here. The last 10 seconds are priceless.

Overlooking KDMW from the South over Westminster, MD



Here is the Diamond DA20 that I rent from KDMW. I also rent Cessna 172 aircarft out of KFDK.




Weather Information
This weather information is derived from NOAA/FAA sources and is fresh upon page reload.
The airports cover the areas I typically fly in.
           The UTC time is:

Weather information for Martinsburg, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Frederick, York, Lancaster:


\n"; foreach ($Stations as $ICAO) { $Count = $Count + 1; $Split = $Count / $Columns; $output = `./GetWeather.pl $ICAO`; print "\t$ICAO$output
\n"; if ( ($Split) == ( round($Split) ) ) { print "\n\n"; } } print "\n"; ?>

These links will provide current information from various NOAA/FAA sources.


Data Overlay Experimental Map       Baltimore area wind predictions       Winds Aloft      

NE US Area Forecast       Current AIRMETS       Current Wx / Sky PIREPs       Current Turbulence PIREPs      

Current Icing PIREPs       Forecasted Icing Potential       Prognostic charts       Winds      

Weather depiction chart       Significant weather chart       Radar summary chart      

How to read a METAR
How to read a TAF
METAR & TAF definitions


Logs

This is my log book from each flight taken during my Private Pilot training. I have not included any other logs on this web site since then. This log is posted so that other students or prospective pilots can examine what it takes to be a pilot under FAA Part 61 training.

Date Time Aircraft
Type		 Aircraft
Ident		 Route of Flight Remarks and Endorsements Comments #LDGs Flight
Duration
(hrs)		 (D)ual
(S)olo
(G)round
 Total
Cumalative
Time (hrs)
4/15/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Shallow banked turns Intro flight. Description. 0 0.6 D 0.6
4/25/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW Fuel management, prelanding checklist, weather, mechanical, preflight planning and preparation, transponder operations, carburetor ice Ground training. Description. 0 0 G 0.6
4/30/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Preflight, pretakeoff and landing checklists, proper flight landing procedures, powerplant operation, taxiing and runups, trim, crab, turns (shallow, medium), pitch/bank/power controls Practice area work. Description. 0 1.1 D 1.7
5/2/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Straight and level flight, adverse yaw, climbs and climbing turns, glide, tracking First unassisted takeoff! Practice area work. Description. 0 1.1 D 2.8
5/7/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW Chocks, radio communications, region of reverse command, power curve, traffic patterns, charts, winshear avoidance, collision avoidance, wake turbulence avoidance, runway incursions, flicker, closest 3 hard surface airports Ground training. Description. 0 0 G 2.8
5/14/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Point to point navigation, steep turns Practice area work + motion sickness. Description. 0 .7 D 3.5
5/20/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Vy climbs with turns both directions, VOR navigation introduction Practice area work. Description. 0 1.1 D 4.6
5/29/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Steep turns, turns around a point, VOR navigation Practice work East of the airport. Description. 0 1.1 D 5.7
6/5/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Climbs at Vx with turns, S-Turns, slow flight, flap intro Practice area work. Description. 0 0.9 D 6.6
6/6/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Slow flight 1.2Vso, power curve bottom, descents with turns using hi and lo drag configurations Practice work East of the airport. Description. 0 0.8 D 7.4
6/11/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Minimum controlled airspeed with turns at 20 and 30 degrees, forward slips, side slips Practice work East of the airport. Description. 0 1.0 D 8.4
6/16/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW Weight & balance, airport signage, Stall entry-execution-recovery procedures Ground training. Description. 0 0 G 8.4
6/23/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Go arounds from final and flare w/o flaps, normal takeoffs and climbs, normal landings and descents First unassisted landing! Pattern work runway 34. Description. 1 1.0 D 9.4
6/24/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Go arounds from final and flare w/o flaps, normal takeoffs and climbs, normal landings and descents Pattern work runway 34. Description. 5 1.0 D 10.4
6/25/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Power off stalls with and w/o flaps, power on stalls Practice work. Description. 1 1.0 D 11.4
7/7/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Trim tab stall demonstration. Crosswind takeoffs and landings. Pattern work runway 16. Description. 4 0.9 D 12.3
7/8/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Crosswind takeoffs and landings. Emergency landings with sim engine out & simulated malfunctions. Pattern work runway 16. Description. 1 1.0 D 13.3
7/9/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW Chart interpretation, E6B Ground training. Description. 0 0 G 13.3
8/7/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW Flight plan, CFIT, Signage, CRM, Radio procedures, Stall/Spin awareness, ATC procedures for Class B, Runway Incursions, LAHSO Procedures, Climbs Vx Vy, Certificates and Docs/Log Books/Inspections, ATC Light Signals. Ground training. Description. 0 0 G 13.3
8/19/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW VOR NAV tuning, tracking, intercepting, turning, intersecting, crossing. VOR 34 approach DMW. Cross country work. Description. 1 1.0 D 14.3
8/23/2003 4:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Lost procedures - VOR/Pilotage. Emergency Landing w/sim engine malfunction. Cross Country work. Description. 1 .9 D 15.2
8/28/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW VFR unusual attitudes, emergency descent through a cloud deck, rudder/aileron emergency loss of flight controls. Emergency procedures. Description. 2 .9 D 16.1
9/6/2003 4:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Closed traffic crosswind takeoffs and landings. Pattern work runway 34. Description. 10 1.0 D 17.1
9/8/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Closed traffic normal takeoffs and landings. Pre-solo pattern work runway 34. Description. 5 .5 D 17.6
9/8/2003 6:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Closed traffic normal takeoffs and landings. FIRST SOLO! Pattern work runway 34. Description. 2 .5 S 18.1
9/16/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Closed traffic normal takeoffs and landings. Pattern work runway 34. Description. 5 .6 S 18.7
9/17/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Normal takeoffs and landings, lost procedures VOR, ADF, GPS. Practice area work. Description. 2 .8 D 19.5
9/24/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Crosswind takeoffs and landings, pilotage, ded reckoning. Practice area work. Description. 1 .8 S 20.3
9/28/2003 2:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Crosswind takeoffs and landings, pilotage, ded reckoning. Practice area work. Description. 1 .5 S 20.8
9/30/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Flight by reference to instruments, turns, straight and level, descents, RWY 16 GPS app. Practice area work. Description. 1 1.0 D 21.8
10/1/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Contant Airspeed clibms, descents, turns R&L, unusual attitudes, slow flight w/ and w/o flaps 1.2Vso turns R&L at 30 deg. Practice area work. Description. 1 1.0 D 22.8
10/7/2003 4:00pm Cessna 172 N6239D DMW to DMW Soft field takeoff, climb, descent, landing, constant rate climbs and descents, holding patterns & magnetic compass, falling leaf stall entry, execute & recovery. Practice area work. Description. 3 1.0 D 23.8
10/13/2003 4:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Pilotage, ded reconing, emergency engine out. Practice east of the field. Description. 3 1.0 D 24.8
10/24/2003 2:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to LNS Pilotage, ded reconing to LNS, crosswind short field TO and climb, lost procedures, ATC, crosswind landing. First flight out of the local area. Description. 1 0.5 D 25.3
10/24/2003 3:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP LNS to LNS Three takeoffs and landings at a towered airport. Solo pattern work. Description. 3 1.1 S 26.4
10/24/2003 4:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP LNS to DMW Normal TO and landing, ded reckoning, VOR reverse sensing and tracking. Flight back home. Description. 1 0.5 D 26.9
10/30/2003 5:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to DMW Night orientation, night takeoffs and landings, climbs and descents Night flight. Description. 3 1.0 D 27.9
11/4/2003 2:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to OKV Pilotage and VOR NAV. First dual cross country. Description. 1 1.0 D 28.9
11/4/2003 4:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP OKV to DMW Pilotage and VOR NAV. Dual cross country return flight. Description. 1 1.0 D 29.9
11/10/2003 10:30am Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to OKV Pilotage and VOR NAV. SOLO cross country flight. Description. 1 1.0 S 30.9
11/10/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP OKV to DMW Pilotage and VOR NAV. Return SOLO cross country flight. Description. 1 1.0 S 31.9
11/15/2003 11:00am Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to 40N Pilotage and VOR NAV. Dual X-C. Description. 1 1.0 D 32.9
11/15/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP 40N to DMW Pilotage and VOR NAV. Return Dual X-C. Description. 1 1.1 D 34.0
11/21/2003 11:00am Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to 40N Pilotage and VOR NAV. Solo X-C. Description. 1 0.9 S 34.9
11/21/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP 40N to DMW Pilotage and VOR NAV. Return Solo X-C. Description. 1 1.1 S 36.0
11/22/2003 9:00am Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to ZER Pilotage and VOR NAV. Long Solo X-C 1st leg. Description. 1 1.0 S 37.0
11/22/2003 11:00am Cessna 172 N976SP ZER to 9D4 Pilotage and VOR NAV. Long Solo X-C 2nd leg. Description. 1 0.6 S 37.6
11/22/2003 1:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP 9D4 to LNS Pilotage and VOR NAV. Long Solo X-C 3rd leg. Description. 1 0.5 S 38.1
11/22/2003 1:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP LNS to DMW Pilotage and VOR NAV. Long Solo X-C 4th leg. Description. 1 0.6 S 38.7
12/16/2003 6:00pm Cessna 172 N976SP DMW to ESN VOR NAV, ATC, Vectors. Dual night X-C. Route. 1 1.2 D 39.9
12/16/2003 7:30pm Cessna 172 N976SP ESN to DMW VOR NAV, ATC, Vectors. Return Dual night X-C. Route. 1 1.3 D 41.2
2/12/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW A/C familiarization, normal climb & desc, T/O & Land, Instrument straight & level. Aircraft familiarization. Description. 1 1.0 D 42.2
2/13/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Short field T/O & climb, X-W T/O, Normal approach & Landing, X-W with flaps, slips, stall entry/execution/recovery, go arounds, spin awareness, post flight procedures. Aircraft familiarization. Description. 1 0.7 D 42.9
2/14/2004 2:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Pilotage & DR, NAV and radar services, lost procedures, instrument S&L, constant airspeed C&D, turns to headings. Checkride prep. Description. 1 1.4 D 44.3
2/20/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Flight by ref to instruments. Instrument requirements met. Description. 1 1.0 D 45.3
2/26/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Night takeoffs and landings. Night requirements met. Description. 8 1.0 D 46.3
2/28/2004 9:00am Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Short field takeoffs and landings, sim engine out. Pattern work. Description. 1 0.7 D 47.0
2/29/2004 8:00am Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Steep turns, normal TO & LDGs, sim engine out. Solo pattern work. Description. 5 0.8 S 47.8
3/3/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Steep turns, slow flight, pwr off stalls, sim emerg, sim engine out. Checkride prep. Description. 1 0.8 D 48.6
3/9/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Soft/short/normal TO & LDG, go arounds Checkride Prep. 8 1.1 D 49.7
3/17/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Stalls, 30deg bank, power off, power on Checkride Prep. 1 1.0 D 50.7
3/25/2004 4:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Turns around a point, S turns Checkride Prep. Description. 1 1.0 S 51.7
3/28/2004 7:30pm Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW X-W normal, short, soft TO & LDGs Checkride Prep. 8 1.5 S 53.2
4/16/2004 7:30am Diamond DA20 N552MA DMW to DMW Checkride - Passed! Checkride account and StudentPilot.com replies 4 1.7 54.9


Training requirements  Federal Aviation Regulations - Part 61
CategoryDescriptionStatus
Ground School Ground training with instructor & home study courseComplete
General Flight Training40 total hours minimum (instruction + solo)Complete
General Flight Training20 total hours flight trainingComplete
General Flight Training3 hours of cross-country flight trainingComplete
Night Training3 total hours of night flight trainingComplete
Night TrainingCross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distanceComplete
Night Training10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.Complete
Instrument3 Hours of flying by instruments only (hood flying)Complete
Solo 10 hours total solo timeComplete
Solo Cross-country solo flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance; with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locationsComplete
Solo Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control towerComplete
TestWritten Test Complete 98%
TestOral Exam Complete
TestCheckride Complete


Pictures

Sectional chart of my home airport.
Pictures from my first solo cross country DMW to OKV, using pilotage and VORs to avoid the ADIZ.
Pictures from my second solo cross country DMW to 40N using pilotage and getting a little bit 'diverted.'
Pictures from my long solo cross country 4 stops and visits to family and friends. This is what flying's all about!
XC to Schuylkill County Took a XC to ZER for a picnic and sightseeing around the old homestead.
XC out of KMTN with my friend John Met John on Studentpilot.com. He's a great pilot!
XC to Schuylkill County Took a XC to ZER for a picnic with relatives and gave some quick flights.

Pictures from the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant - College Park, MD A great place to stop and have dinner.
2003 Harrisburg Air Show Pictures and Video Excellent show!
2003 Frederick Air Show Pictures and Video Great show - no longer in FDK - they moved to MRB.
2003 National Air Tour comes to Frederick - Pictures The Nat'l Air Tour came to town and it was great to see these old planes!
Pictures of the B17 Fuddy Duddy We were supposed to fly in it but weather didn't permit.
Pictures from the National Air and Space Museum hangar at Dulles A MUST SEE for anyone visiting the area!
Pictures from the WWII Weekend at Reading, PA 2005 What a great way to spend the weekend!
Checking out the foliage in N MD / S PA with Al flying along.


Links

Hearing protection for your dog (invented by my friend Shelly): Safe and Sound Pets!
The airport where I fly: Poage Field, KDMW
Excellent forum for student pilots: StudentPilot.com
When using MSFlightSimulator on the forum above: Al's FSHost and Multiplayer Communications page
THE organization for pilots: AOPA.org
This FAA PPL written test software works great: Gleim.com

My other interests include Ham Radio and Corvettes.

Updated June 10, 2005 by Pat.
Many thanks to Greg for letting me use his log format.