protzler

I'm not sure I would agree that the iPad a great resource to depend on in primary training. To each his own though. Oh, I know that *carrying* a logbook *with you* isn't required. I take it with me though. It's easier to log the hours as soon as I do them rather than wait to do it later. I know a ton of people that don't carry logbooks on them and quite a few of them admit that not all of their hours exact. Not a problem, but it's one of those things that would bug the crap out of me if I did it. From what he posted, it seemed like he didn't have his license and was looking to get one. Good to hear skyvector is updated. When I originally used it (in 2008/9) I remember them saying that they were going to stop updating. Glad to hear it still is. Research done.

Like a lot of others here I use foreflight for my real world flying. I use it on the first gen ipad, which honestly is clear and fast enough for me. Definitely worth the subscription price in my opinion. I wouldn't count on using it for your PPL though. All the instructors I've talked to prohibit private students from using their Ipad until they're licensed. For logging, I use Logbook Pro. You need to have a paper logbook also though. I only use Logbook Pro as a backup. I take my paper logbook on every flight, and keep it in a safe place at home. For flightsim, both of those are overkill. I think FS Flight Keeper will log your flights for you, without you having to write down anything. And I'm sure the other apps will be sufficient for your purposes. If you want charts, check out skyvector.com. They're expired, but they're still newer than FS's database.

I'd look in to Sky Treks (928-282-6628) to see if they will go up with you. They do charters and the like. If you do it, you'll enjoy the aircraft carrier approach!

Do you end up missing it? I got back from Iraq the day before Thanksgiving, absolutely HATING the middle east. Now I want to go back in the worst way. I was talking to a former Marine coworker who deployed to Afghanistan, and he said, in "military language" of course, that he didn't like it and never had the urge to go back. Then I talked to another guy I deployed with, and he admitted that sometimes he did wish he was back there. So, I've been weighing my options. I could either go back as a contractor and make the money to make it even more worthwhile to be there, or I could volunteer for another deployment. I'm an air traffic controller by trade, so if I go back as a contractor, I would be making big money. I've been thinking about this for a couple weeks, and am giving myself some more time to think before I make any decisions. I don't own a home or anything, and would break the lease on my apartment before I went so that I wouldn't have the bills...ugh, I just don't know. My hope is hearing what those of you that are in my shoes have done. Does this feeling pass?

That's not all that unrealistic at some airports.I'm a controller in the Army. When I deployed this past year to Iraq, we were all super professional on the mic. Then, starting at about halfway through the deployment (when other units started to leave), things started going downhill...actually it was more like someone switched a switch. "Touch-Me tower, this is Nightlong 12, and we're coming in oscar with a big load!" was one transmission, for example. Of course, it wasn't only limited to the aircraft's transmissions. There were a few OH-58's in one sector that directly lined up with the runway operating, and two AH-64's call up: "Tower, gun 32 would like to come in Mike." "Gun 32, tower. Mike's all full up with two guys in him already. Can you reach around and come in Oscar?" "Ohhhh, Mike sounds like a busy guy, but we'd love to come in oscar!"It just went downhill from there, with the end result of us putting up a sign made of glowsticks saying, "Live Nudes" and hanging it from the tower. In addition, we had a couple "dancers" with chemlights attached to their shirts and pants dancing around on top.It should also be said that we started referring to all the different legs of the traffic pattern, as well as places on the airfield, as different things you would find/do in a strip club while the sign was up.So in short, just because it's not all standard doesn't mean that it's not realistic! ;)

Also, OP, check out this site:http://thetruthabouttheprofession.weebly.com/

You don't think that you could get it done at an FBO as quickly as ATP? Why is that? FBO's are just as capable of being a 141 school. Hell, many have a similar program setup, only without the $65,000 price...and without the $2,500-5,000 optional "Regional Jet Training" that you will get for free once you get to your respective airline.

You should stay away from all rating mills (ATP, et-al). To put it simply, if you go to an FBO you'll most likely pay less for the same training, while getting it done in the same amount of time.

Did you see any vampires when you landed by any chance?

Start at the gate, program the fmc, taxi to the active and take off. Usually, with AI I'll just reset it before I get to the runway so that I don't have to wait. After takeoff, usually after passing 10k I'll crank on the time acceleration until I'm on final. Then I land, and SOMETIMES I'll taxi to the gate/parking and shut down, other times I'll just stop on the taxiway and shut down, then turn off the game.

You know, I always wondered why no one came out with a mod of the panel with something like label tape with the text in English over the Cyrillic labels. It'd be realistic, as well as easier for non-Cyrillic reading users.If only I had the time and knew how....;)

It is true. I guess it's technically possible for you to get an interview without a 737 type...I've heard of people getting one, but you need to have one before you get a job offer...or training date. I can't remember which. That being said, with as many high time pilots as there are on the streets, you will definitely need a type rating, and a ton of hours, to even get a call back. What's kind of funny about the whole 'you need a 737 type to be hired at SWA" mantra, is they are the only company I know of where it's acceptable to pay for training. Every other deal and you will have people downright calling you scabs. SWA is a leading company though, for both pay and work rules, and so it's not 'bringing down the industry' like Gulfstream is. Personally, I think PFT is wrong no matter what the company. I will never pay to work. Ever.Sorry I got a little bitter at the end, there...

Loiterers!

Sorry for the delay! I forgot my camera the day I said I'd take them. Anyway, here's a photo of the PAR scope for anyone interested. Also, since I was tardy, I've enclosed a bonus picture.:(

Interesting. Does the controller software have the correct screen for PAR approaches? PAR is when the final controller is able to give you trend information on the glidepath (not glideslope) using a split screen where the top half is dedicated to the glidepath, and the bottom half is dedicated to course. The antenna looks like a Snickers bar on top of a snack-sized snicker bar. It updates much, much more frequently than a normal radar sweep. Are you sure they didn't give you a Surveillance approach ("Recommended altitudes will be provided each mile on final")? If they have the proper interface for PAR approaches, I'd be extremely surprised. I'll take some photo's tonight when I go on shift of our facility. We are able to do PAR's.