It has been a while since I last blogged my progress with my flight training. I did a lot of training in the month of July including simulated instrument training and finishing up my cross country flight requirements. Also, my CFI and I did PTS prep for about three hours.

The checkride was set for July 29, 2009. I felt very ready for it. However, I will say that I was nervous about the oral portion.  As a result, the oral portion of the PTS was the most difficult part, but I managed to prove my knowledge of the flight rules according to the FAR. The in-flight portion of my checkride was easy because I knew my skill level was higher than average for a student pilot. As soon as the examiner and I landed for completion of the checkride, the examiner immediately wrote a note as I parked the airplane in big letters, “YOU PASSED!” 

 Thus, I am proud to announce that I earned my Private Pilot Certificate! It was a challenge overcomer and dream come true for me that day. It will be a day I will never forget. I have always wanted to be at the controls of an aircraft; ever since I was little when I watched airplanes take off and land at airports.  A day after I passed the checkride, I took my girlfriend up in the air for the first time. It was such a good flight to Chehalem Airpark (0S5). We went there for a dinner picnic at the airport where it was surrounded with trees and picnic tables. It was very nice and a good experience for both of us. I am excited to be able to fly in the Northwest with my family and friends. In fact, my dad and a couple of friends let me fly them around in the 172 last month. It sure feels good to have people trust me as I am the pilot in command. Not just pilot in command, but also because I am Deaf. I do not care if I can hear or not, all I care is that I can prove to people and the FAA that I can do anything and be safe. The next step for my flying endeavors will be IFR training and tailwheel training. I want to get as many ratings and certifications as possible, so I am taking it one step at a time. Instrument rating is next. Also, I met a CFI who knows sign language and is willing to train and sign me off for tailwheel flying. I am looking forward to it as I start soon. This is all for now. I will keep you updated on my progress and accomplishments. Thank you!

The picture above was after the checkride. Tom, the examiner, on the left and Wayne, my CFI, on the right.

It was now time to accomplish my three takeoffs and landings at a towered airport. In my case, my instructor and I had to make some accommodations due to my Deafness. The tower will need to use a light gun to signal the commands for me as I taxi, takeoff and land.

My instructor, Wayne, called the tower in Salem (SLE) to inform them that a Deaf student pilot needed to complete his three takeoffs and landings at a towered airport. The tower hesitated and told my instructor that they need time to figure out and see if it was possible. They were concerned about how I would receive runway assignments, hold shorts, and ATIS information. I already know Deaf pilots have done this procedure before, but it seemed to be a problem with SLE tower. Wayne contacted the managerial authorities about the situation to see how it would be possible for me to complete this training. Fortunately, they were able to approve our request to train at SLE and they informed the tower to work with us.

On May 13^th, Wayne and I flew from 7S5 to SLE. I landed and then we did two takeoffs and landings to get a feel for the traffic pattern and ground procedures. I also was able to see what the light gun looked like from the air and ground. As I felt comfortable with the procedures, I dropped Wayne off and waited for the green flashing light to taxi. I taxied to the runup area and faced toward the tower and blinked the landing lights notifying them that I was ready. The tower gave me a green light to takeoff. I took off and went around in the traffic pattern. The tower did not give me a signal until the base leg. I was cleared to land. I did this procedure two more times. One time, the tower gave me a red light to hold short as I exited the runway. Then I proceeded back to the runway again. After the last landing, the tower gave me a white light to return back to the starting location. It all went very well and quite smoothly.

I picked up Wayne and as we were taxing to the runway to fly back to 7S5, the tower authorities told Wayne that I did a great job. I appreciated their effort in communicating with me using the light signals and making sure I was safe in the traffic pattern. It was quite an experience and every pilot should memorize the light gun signals and its colors in case they lose their radio communications. You never know.

As I flew to Portland, it was warm, in the low 70s, winds were calm. It was a beautiful flight with spectacular views from above. It was something that not so many people experience and I was blessed with the opportunity to fly at night and to see the beautiful creation…earth. I was able to identify different cities by their rows of streets and light.

As we were about 20nm from PDX, my instructor contacted the approach control prior entering class C airspace for me. Due to my deafness, my instructor handled the communications as I did the flying. He did a really good job keeping me up to date with the radio information from the tower, etc. As the tower cleared us to land on 28R, we were number one to land into PDX as long it was not busy at the time we approached PDX. During the base leg, I was able to see the runway with lighted centerline and it was unbelievable. I never thought I would ever land at an international airport and it was fantastic! I landed into the runway’s centerline perfectly. I was amazed at how massive the runway was as I touched down. It was about ten times wider than the runway at my home airport!

I taxied to the general aviation parking area, which was at FlightCraft. I closed the flight plan and entered the hangar and tried to find some cookies. Unfortunately, the cookies were all gone! We rested on some comfortable armchairs and then played some pool. We got back to the airplane and requested clearance to depart PDX. As I taxied to the runway, a United Airline jet landed right next to me! As a pilot, I’ve never been that close to a jet at an active airport. It was very cool to be in the "scene." I took off and headed back to 7S5.

I flew right across downtown Portland and it was amazing to be able to see everything from the sky. Like I said, not many people experience something like this and I am very fortunate. The flight was beautiful and successful. I look forward to doing some more night flying and enjoying these magnificent views.

Right now I have 20 hours logged and the next thing is to make three takeoffs and landings at a towered airport. In this case, the tower will be using a light gun for making commands to me as I takeoff and land. End of story!

My instructor and I started together and did three takeoffs and landings. Then he gave me the 'go' for solo. I was anxious to start by myself. As he got out of the C-150, I taxied to the runway. There were a few airplanes in front of me before I took off. That went out with no communication problems. It was my turn to take off and went up in the air and around in the traffic pattern. It was fun to fly alone! I made the first landing attempt and handled a good landing. I took off for the second time and landed without problems. For the last attempt, I took off and went around to land. The winds started to affect the landing, so I did not like the landing conditions on that one, so I made a go-around. I thought it was a wise choice to do so. So I went around and landed on ground to complete my first solo! I felt really accomplished after my first solo and it was a dream come true. I have always dreamed of myself taking control of an airplane, and my dream came true today on March 12, 2009. My instructor shook my hand and congratulated me as I got out of the airplane. Got the back of my t-shirt cut. It was such as great day.