PEN3290

Tonight will be my first line flight. This means that it will be my first non-training flight. I am excited for it but kinda nervous because I do not know who I will be flying with. I know his name but who knows if they are nice or not? I have heard just about every person here are nice people but there are a few that are a little more up tight. Thats alright though. Every job has those kinds of bosses. At my job I just have 60 bosses to like/dislike. My flight is from 6pm tonight to 1am tomorrow morning. I think I will try to bid these flights once I get my first bid. That way they are more relaxed and not so much traffic. This spring in anchorage has been a wet one. Lots of rain here and right around 50 degrees. We have had a few nice days but it is raining hard today. I can't believe training is finally over! It has been two months of agonizing crap. At least now I can start working and make some money to survive on!

OE Finished

My initial operating experience is complete! Signed off today!!! Start flying the line tomorrow night. I fly to Dutch Harbor 6:15pm-1:00am. Should be fun. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. I flew 8.7 hours today and I am exhausted! Time to sleep!

1st Flight Complete

Well, I survived my first flight in the Saab 340. It went really well. I made a really nice landing back into Anchorage. I landed a little long but hey it was my first landing. I fly two flights tomorrow. One to sandpoint and the other to dillingham. I cant wait to get back in the air and get more comfortable with the airplane. I am flying with my sim instructor and hope it goes well. I have a feeling he will get a little quizzy. Which is fine because I learn from it but hopefully he just focuses on teaching me how to fly the real plane. Anyways, Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Peninsula 3294

Today is my first flight in the Saab 340. I am extremely nervous but I am also confident in my abilities to fly this airplane. We have 19 passengers going down and 19 coming back. This is a Direct Dutch Harbor flight. It is approximately 3 hours one way. I am also very excited to see Dutch Harbor. I have never been down there and it is sure to be beautiful. Skies are clear and visibility nearly unlimited. Perfect day for my first flight. Who would have thought that only 11 months after graduating from college would I be flying a 30,000 lb airplane with 22 peoples lives in my hands. I am amazed at the sobering effect responsiblity plays on me as an airline pilot. I think eventually I wouln't even think twice about having 30 passengers or even 300 someday. I am very lucky to have come this far after such a short time in the real world of commercial aviation. I would like to thank my family, friends, and CWU for all the support and encouragement. And for all of you wondering why the heck I havent been writing very much....I am back into writing daily on my blog. I will try to get at least 2-4 posts weekly. Stay tuned to hear how my first flight goes! Anyone in the Anchorage area who hears Peninsula 3294 or 3295... That will be me talking!!! See you later!

Saab 340 Qualified!

Well, training is finally over! I am exhausted but my hard work paid off. I am now qualified to fly the Saab 340 in the right seat as Second In Command! It was a long haul but it is finally over. I got my apartment all squared away Anchorage and plan to start IOE(initial operating experience) early next week. Should be interesting. Anyways, heres to advancing my career!

Getting ready to drive up to my new home in anchorage. My grandpa Atwood is driving with me. I think it will be an awesome drive through some untouched country. I am excited. Poppy is going to stay in anchorage for about a week and fish. That will be fun. Hoping to catch a big king or two! Maybe get a Copper River red or two. I have 4 days of cockpit procedures training in Anchorage. Then I will be in Minneapolis for 10 days. Then working full time. I will post pictures of my new place! Talk to everyone soon!

ANC Based!

I went down to corporate today and talked with my new boss. He confirmed it! I am going to be living and flying in Anchorage. I am really excited about this news and now is the time for me to find a place to live. There are a few places I am going to look this week when I have time. My hope is to have the place before I go back to Seattle so I can drive/move all my stuff before CPT. CPT is here in anchorage and is just flow practice and call outs. This looks to be about 2-3 weeks out after the end of ground school. Which that is perfect for me to be able to move. So the plan is to go back to Seattle around Thursday of next week. Pack everything and drive up. Then CPT and the Minneapolis. When I am done with my 8 days of sim I will come back here for IOE before being placed on line. Then I will actually be working here. Exciting! Now I just need to get school down and Ace the test. Will not be easy this time. Lots of quirks with this airplane! Studying now actually and took time to write. Hope all is well with everyone. Will keep you posted on progress!